Rock Creek Fishing Report – June 29, 2025
Current Conditions:
Rock Creek is in peak summer form. Flows have dropped to very fishable levels, and clarity is excellent throughout the drainage. Wading access is superb, and the fish are active and spread out. This is a perfect time to walk-and-wade your way into steady dry fly action.
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Rock Creek @ Clinton Flow: ~455 CFS
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Visibility: 3+ feet and clear
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Water Temp: Upper 40s°F in the morning, low 50s by afternoon
Hatches & Flies:
Rock Creek is a bug factory right now. Golden Stones are still thick and drawing aggressive surface eats, especially mid-morning through mid-afternoon. Look for lingering Green Drakes and a strong showing of PMDs and caddis as well.
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Golden Stones (#8–10): All-day action along banks and seams
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Top Patterns: Tan Chubby, Sofa Pillow, Water Walker
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PMDs (#14–18): Mid-morning to early afternoon
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Top Patterns: Sparkle Dun, Purple Haze, Film Critic
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Green Drakes (#10–12): Still showing in mid-to-upper creek
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Top Patterns: Extended Body Drake, Green Wulff, Drake Cripple
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Caddis (#16–18): Thick in the evenings
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Top Patterns: Tan X-Caddis, Iris Caddis, CDC Caddis
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Tactics & Tips:
This is one of the best times of year to fish Rock Creek. Focus on dry fly fishing along grassy banks, under overhanging trees, and near deeper buckets. Fish are spread out and feeding opportunistically—take your time and cover water thoroughly.
Hopper-dropper rigs are also a great bet, especially in faster pocket water. A size 10–12 Chubby with a tungsten beadhead dropper (like a Frenchie or Perdigon) will get the job done when fish aren’t fully looking up.
Streamer anglers can do well early and late in the day with smaller patterns like Sparkle Minnows, Sculpzillas, and Buggers fished tight to structure.
Guide’s Note:
Rock Creek is a summer favorite for a reason—it’s fishing well from top to bottom and offering consistent action on dries. Expect quality cutthroat and browns with the occasional big surprise in deeper holes. The next two weeks are prime.
