6/18/2026: Rock Creek Fishing Report

2026-06-18 (June 18, 2026)

Regional summary

Western Montana is settling into real early-summer fishing. Flows have kept dropping across the region, clarity is improving by the day, and the stonefly show is the headline: Salmonflies are winding down (now mostly upper reaches) while Golden Stones take over everywhere, joined by Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis filling the dry-fly windows. Big-bug dry-dropper fishing is the dominant game on all four rivers. Rock Creek and the Blackfoot are the standout dry-fly options; the Bitterroot is the safest all-around bet; the Clark Fork is improving and rewards careful water selection. Warm afternoons are in the forecast, so fish the late-morning-through-early-afternoon window and watch water temperatures.

At a glance: Dropping into stable shape, slightly off color | ~55°F midday | ~927 CFS near Clinton | GH rating: 5/5 | MAngler: 5/5 | Best window: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Rock Creek is dropping into beautiful, stable shape and the fishing is great, one of the best dry-fly options in the region. The Salmonfly hatch is just about wrapped up with a few leftovers in the upper creek; the main focus has turned to Golden Stones, in full swing on the lower and middle creek. Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, PMDs, and evening caddis round out the menu, with the best Green Drake fishing on cloudy, drizzly days. Focus on log jams, soft pocket water, willow edges, and deeper banks.

Hazard: the creek is still high with downed trees and fresh log jams (a tree down at Mile Marker 27; a new one between Upper Fire Ring and the Microburst; the Lower Fire Ring-to-Elkhorn corner is woody and jammy with a fresh log blocking the corner). Wading is getting more realistic but floating is getting skinny in spots; float cautiously.

Best techniques

Dry-dropper is the most consistent approach: a Juicy Stone (Salmonfly or Golden), Henry's Fork, Chubby Chernobyl, Clark Fork Stone, Dancin' Ricky, or Fool's Gold in #8-12 up top with a TJ Hooker, Sili Leg Stone, Pat's RL, Jig PTs, Hares Ears, Shuck-its, Duracells, or a big Prince Nymph underneath. For Green Drakes fish Hatchback Drakes, Flash Cripples, and Carnage Drakes. If fish commit to the dry, cut the dropper and fish a single Goldenstone or Salmonfly. Strip or swing a Sparkle Minnow, Bighorn Bugger, or Rusty Trombone.

Hatches

Salmonflies (upper creek leftovers), Golden Stones, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, PMDs, and caddis.

The Fly Box

Nymphs: Frenchies, Split Case PMDs, Explosion Stone

Dries: Golden Plan B, MFC Hot Spot Para-Wulff, Jake's Green Drake, Water Walkers, Purple Haze, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Parachute Adams

Streamers: Mini Dungeons, Sparring Partners, Thin Mints, Woolly Buggers

Outlook. Temps in the 60s-70s, perfect for dry-fly fishing, continuing into the 70s with lots of sunshine next week. Flows should keep dropping; get out soon if you want to float, and stand by for excellent wade-fishing conditions as the creek settles. This is some of the best fishing of the year on Rock Creek.

Sources and Thanks

Shop	Report date	Coverage
Blackfoot River Outfitters	June 12, 2026	All four rivers
Kingfisher Fly Shop	June 17, 2026	All four rivers
Grizzly Hackle	June 13, 2026	All four rivers
The Missoulian Angler	June 12, 2026	All four rivers
Lightweight Fly Shop	June 14, 2026	All four rivers, consolidated