Rock Creek Fishing Report, June 20, 2026

2026-06-20 (June 20, 2026)

Regional summary

Western Montana is into real early summer fishing now. The rivers have paid spring's toll of high water, and the payout is under way: flows keep dropping across the region, clarity improves by the day, and the stonefly show is the headline. Salmonflies are winding down (now mostly the 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 has turned the corner and is fishing well. Warm afternoons are in the forecast, so fish the late morning through early afternoon window and watch water temperatures.

At a glance: Slightly off color | ~59°F midday | ~927 CFS near Clinton | Grizzly Hackle quality rating: 5/5 | Missoulian Angler rating: 5/5 | Best window: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Float hazard, multiple spots. 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, and 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.

Rock Creek is in stellar shape. Flows have dropped into an optimal, fishable range and the Golden Stone hatch is firing. Salmonflies are done on the creek (a few leftovers in the upper drainage), and the main focus has turned to Golden Stones. Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies (starting any day), PMDs, and evening caddis round out the menu, with the best Green Drake fishing on cloudy, drizzly days. Focus on softer side channels, boulder pockets, willow lines, and deeper banks; even without big bugs in the air, trout are looking up.

Best techniques

Dry dropper is the most consistent approach: a Juicy Stone (Golden), Henry's Fork (Golden), Chubby Chernobyl, Clark Fork Stone, Dancin' Ricky, or Fool's Gold in #8 to #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. If fish commit to the dry, cut the dropper and fish a single golden stone like a Plan B. For Green Drakes fish Hatchback Drakes, Flash Cripples, and Carnage Drakes. Strip or swing a Sparkle Minnow, Bighorn Bugger, or Rusty Trombone.

Hatches

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

The Fly Box

Nymphs: Frenchies, Split Case PMDs, Explosion Stone, Pheasant Tails

Dries: Golden Plan B, Montana Fly Company Hot Spot Para-Wulff, Water Walkers, Purple Haze, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Parachute Adams, On Point Para Wulff, Film Critic

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

Outlook. A mix of clouds and sun over the weekend with temps in the mid 60s, ideal for the dry fly, warming into the high 60s and 70s next week. Flows should keep dropping; get out soon if you want to float, and stand by for excellent wade 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
Kingfisher Fly Shop	June 19, 2026	All four rivers
Grizzly Hackle	June 13, 2026	All four rivers
The Missoulian Angler	June 12, 2026	All four rivers (about one week stale)
Lightweight Fly Shop	June 14, 2026	All four rivers