CFS: 307
Water Temp: 45-48°F
Dries: Mahogany Dun, Baetis, October Caddis
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Orange Serendipities, Streamers
If you would have told me a month ago that the streamflow would be higher in October, I wouldn’t have believed you. To celebrate the end of September, Mother Nature decided to throw us a healthy dose of snow, followed by a warm spell that promptly melted most of it. So here we are, looking at a steady CFS above our seasonal average.
Fortunately, this also means more water in what would normally be skinny sections of the creek this time of year, which for wade fishing, can be immense fun! Dry flies have been working well recently; October caddis and mayfly patterns have been productive lately. Missoula’s Lee Brothers, frequent fly fishers of Rock Creek, were nice enough to share their production on dries:
Granted, sometimes you’re just going to have to go subsurface as well, particularly on those cold, blustery days (like today) that are inhospitable to dry flies. If streamers are your forte, you’ll have a good time swinging and stripping them pretty much now and into November. If you’re more into nymphing, a big orange serendipity is a great pattern to represent an October caddis pupa, but I’ve seen people catch some lunkers this time of year on patterns as basic as a prince nymph or San Juan worm (see our bulletin board in the shop for details).
I am back up in Kalispell for the fall/winter season, but I will be working on some more content this winter for the Mercipedia page. Meantime, my grandmother Carolyn will be opening the shop now through the fall and winter for the following days/hour.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Stop on in and visit with her; she’s been fishing Rock Creek for over 50 years and might have good hint or two at where to fish. 😉 If you need to contact us, shoot me an e-mail at rcmerc@blackfoot.net or give us a call at 406-825-6440.
Eat your hearts out, Billy, Catfish and Chuck! Thanks to everyone who continues to support our shop year in, year out; we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you guys.
Tight lines, all, and go enjoy Rock Creek for me while I’m away!
Cheers,
John