6/26/2026: Rock Creek Fishing Report
2026-06-26 (June 26, 2026)
Regional summary
Western Montana has settled into a strong early-summer window. Runoff is receding across the region, flows are dropping into workable summer shape, and the salmonfly show is winding down (a few stragglers linger in the upper Blackfoot canyon and high in the Rock Creek drainage). Golden Stones are now the headline big bug, with PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis all in the mix. Dry-dropper is the dominant method everywhere. Watch the forecast: afternoon highs push near 90°F midweek before cooler weather and thunderstorms arrive Friday and Saturday. Fish early; carry a thermometer.
At a glance: Stellar, excellent wade shape | slightly off color | ~53 to 59°F | ~768 CFS near Clinton | GH rating: 5/5 | Best window: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Float hazard, new wood. A tree is down at Mile Marker 27, and a newly reported one sits between Upper Fire Ring and the Microburst. Debris and sweepers remain throughout, and the creek is getting skinny for floating with exposed rocks and tight channels. Wade carefully and float cautiously; it is now better wade water than float water for most anglers.
Rock Creek is in absolutely stellar shape. Flows have dropped into an optimal, fishable range and the Golden Stone hatch is firing. It is now better wade water than float water for most anglers, with fish settling into pocket water, riffle edges, banks, soft seams, and slower buckets. Even on cooler afternoons without big bug swarms, trout are looking up and waiting for a meal.
Best techniques
- Dry-dropper a Chubby Chernobyl, Clark Fork Stone, Dancin' Ricky, or Fool's Gold over a TJ Hooker, Sili Leg Stone, Prince Nymph, or small jig nymph.
- When fish start eating the dry, cut off the dropper and fish a single golden-stone dry like a Plan B.
- For the strong Green Drake hatches, reach for a Hatchback Drake, Flash Cripple, or Carnage Drake.
Hatches
Salmonflies mostly done (a few leftovers up high), Golden Stones in full swing, strong Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies building, and caddis.
The Fly Box
Nymphs: Pat's Rubber Legs, TJ Hooker, Sili Leg Stone, Prince Nymph, Frenchie, Split Case PMD, Jigged Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail Nymph
Dries: Chubby Chernobyl, Clark Fork Stone, Dancin' Ricky, Fool's Gold, Plan B, Henry's Fork Golden, Juicy Stone, Water Walker, Hatchback Drake, Flash Cripple, Carnage Drake, MFC Hot Spot Para-Wulff, On Point Para Wulff, Film Critic, Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Purple Haze, Parachute Adams
Streamers: Sparkle Minnow, Mini-Dungeon, Sculpzilla, Sparring Partner, Thin Mint, Woolly Bugger, Rusty Trombone
Outlook. Mix of clouds and sun over the weekend with temps in the mid-60s, warming into the high 60s and 70s next week. Flows will keep dropping, so the float window is closing while wade fishing keeps getting better. Yellow Sallies should start any day.
Sources and Thanks
| Shop | Report date | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Blackfoot River Outfitters | June 19, 2026 | All four rivers |
| Kingfisher Fly Shop | June 26, 2026 | All four rivers |
| Grizzly Hackle | June 13, 2026 | Rock Creek |
| Lightweight Fly Shop | June 21, 2026 | All four rivers, consolidated |
| The Missoulian Angler | June 2026 | Fly corroboration |
