Rock Creek Fishing Report, June 11, 2026
Floating obstructions: a tree is down at Mile Marker 27, there is a new obstruction between Upper Fire Ring and the Microburst, and the Lower Fire Ring to Elkhorn stretch is woody with a fresh log blocking a corner. Everything else cleared in the last push (per Rock Creek Mercantile, 6/3). It is still runoff season: wade carefully and float cautiously.
Update: trusted friends who fish this water tell us the tree between the Upper Fire Ring and the Microburst has since been removed. We pass that along with thanks. Always read the river for yourself, but that particular obstruction should no longer be a concern.
At a glance: Flows dropped and flattened out, fishing very good | Water temp 47-53°F | ~1,320 CFS near Clinton | Grizzly Hackle: 5/5 | Missoulian Angler: 3/5 | Best window: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The salmonfly madness has resumed. Salmonflies are bumbling around the creek, anglers are reporting great catches, and the bulk of the hatch is now in the upper half of the creek. The lower creek (below Nortons) has fished slower on the big bug, so don't be afraid to head upstream for the best salmonfly bite. Fish side channels, structure, bank cushions, soft seams, pocket water, and slower buckets; the fish are tight to the edges.
Best techniques
- Salmonfly dries with plenty of orange: Dancin' Rickys, Supa-Dupa Stones, Stone Squatters, Juicy Stones, and Cat Pukes. Carry foamy versions for dry-dropper work and natural-looking patterns for dry-fly-only days: Norm Woods, Sofa Pillow, and Emma's Stone. Blackfoot River Outfitters' dry-dropper picks: Juicy Stone, Henry's Fork Salmonfly, and Fool's Gold Salmonfly. Kingfisher adds Chubbies, Water Walkers, and Stimulators.
- The chilly rain makes a deep nymphing rig the most consistent producer: a heavy TJ Hooker, Sili-Leg Stone with a tungsten bead, Pat's Rubber Legs, or Hot-Bead Double Bead Stone up front, trailed by a Zirdle, San Juan Worm, Wire Worm, Jig PT, Hare's Ear, Shuck-It, Duracell, Frenchie, or a big Prince Nymph.
- Dead-drifting streamers has worked well: Sparkle Minnow, Woolly Bugger, or Bighorn Bugger. Also in the rotation: Mini Dungeon, Peanut Envy, Thin Mint, Sculpzilla, Kreelex, Barely Legal, Double Gonga, and JJ Special.
Hatches
Salmonflies now (strongest from the middle into the upper sections), with Golden Stones building behind them, then Green Drakes on cloudy days, Yellow Sallies, PMDs, and clouds of caddis in the coming weeks. Mayfly dries to have ready: Purple Haze, Parachute Adams, the Flash Cripple (Green Drake and Grey), Jake's Green Drake, plus Corn Fed Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, and X-Caddis for the caddis, and Blackfoot River Outfitters' featured MFC Hot Spot Para-Wulff Brindle, Stranahan's Brindle Chute, and Chubby Chernobyl Salmonfly.
The Fly Box
Nymphs: TJ Hooker, Sili-Leg Stone, Pat's Rubber Legs, Double Bead Stone, Zirdle, San Juan Worm, Wire Worm, Hare's Ear, Duracell, Frenchie, Prince Nymph
Dries: Dancin' Rickys, Juicy Stones, Fool's Gold, Water Walkers, Purple Haze, Parachute Adams, Flash Cripple, Jake's Green Drake, Corn Fed Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Hot Spot Para-Wulff, Brindle Chute, Chubby Chernobyl
Streamers: Sparkle Minnow, Woolly Bugger, Bighorn Bugger, Mini Dungeon, Peanut Envy, Thin Mint, Sculpzilla, Kreelex, Barely Legal, Double Gonga, JJ Special
Outlook. Get in on the salmonfly madness now before it's too late. A cold, wet weekend up the canyon (highs in the 40s and 50s) favors the nymph rig, with better weather Thursday and Friday. If you miss the salmonflies, goldens, drakes, sallies, PMDs, and caddis are right behind.
Sources and Thanks
This report is synthesized from the latest published river reports of the fly shops below. They do the on-the-water work; go see them for flies and current intel.
- Kingfisher Fly Shop (June 10)
- Lightweight Fly Shop (week of June 7-13)
- Blackfoot River Outfitters (June 5)
- Grizzly Hackle (June 4)
- The Missoulian Angler (June 3)
Conditions change fast during runoff. Always check flows and confirm with a shop before you go.
