Fishing Season: Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

Rock Creek - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

34

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Adding split shot to your indicator nymph rig is very important when wade fishing. The added weight of the split shot will get your flies in the strike zone faster, resulting in more opportunities for fish to eat on each drift. We like to use split shot even when fishing tungsten bead flies. Shot is less important when fishing from a drift boat or raft because you can achieve much longer drifts, but we still use it when fishing flies that are weightless or have small beads.

Directions open in app

Map of Rock Creek

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blackfoot River Outfitters
Blue Damsel Lodge

5-Day Outlook as of 12/4/25

The upper end of the creek is going to be cold and snowy, but conditions on the lower end look better.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/4/25

Nymphing the deep pools and tailouts of Rock Creek will prove most effective when the water is cold. A slowly stripped or jigged streamer can be a great way to get the bigger fish to move. Streamers: Wooly Bugger, Kreelex, Sparkle Minnow, Chicago Overcoat, Jig Sparkle Yummy, Zonker Nymphs: San Juan Worm, Trina’s Squirm, TJ Hooker, Sili Leg Stone, Prince Nymph, Duracell, Jig PT, Lightning Bug, Copper John, Zebra Midge Dries: Midges

Local Species Available Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

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    Cutthroat

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    rainbow

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    cutt-bow

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    brown

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    bull

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    some brook trout

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    and whitefish.

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #8-12
Fly Formerly Known As Prince N/A #12-16
Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph N/A #12-16
TH 20 Incher N/A #8-12
Zebra Midge N/A #18-20
TJ Hooker Coffee 10-12
Bead Head Caddis Pupa N/A 14-16
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer N/A #10
Perdigon Black/Red 16-18
Sparkle Minnow N/A #8

Vernille San Juan Worm

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Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Rock Creek

On Montana's blue ribbon gem, Rock Creek, the fishing is as exhilarating as the scenery. This pristine, free flowing stream boasts one of the highest fish counts in the state. Rock Creek is a perfect classroom complete with consistent depth and speed riffles for nymphing, long and smooth taliout dry fly slicks and boulder-choked fast water corners providing a haven for streamer chase'n trout. Wade fishing the Creek with a guide affords any level of angler an opportunity to improve his/her skills, and, it's simply the best chance anywhere in Montana to catch five different trout species in one outing.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Hatches:

Midges

Best Time to Fish:

The warmest hours of the day

Best Stretch:

The entire river is fishing well.

Best Access:

Upper: Gilles Bridge Lower: Valley of the Moon