CFS: 1480
Water Temperature: 52-56 °F
Dries: Salmon flies, Green Drakes, Purple attractors
Nymphs: TJ Hooker, Pheasant Tail, Perdigon, San Juan worm
Streamers: JJ Specials, White Circus Peanuts, Wonderbuggers
FISHING REPORT
Hello anglers, John here with the salmon fly fishing report as well as some updates on Rock Creek (road, river obstructions, etc.). After what feels like a long, cold and wet spring, we are now seeing more summer-like weather, with temperatures ranging in the 60s to 70s each day and lots of sunshine. The timing couldn’t have been better; salmon flies have emerged in full force here on the creek! As of today, they have been most concentrated in the middle section (Harry’s Flat to Siria), but they will continue to move upstream and should be in the upper stretches in a matter of days. Although the salmon flies may be leaving the lower part of our creek already, golden stones, green drakes and purple hazes are emerging and can be excellent options if salmon flies have moved on.
If you are fishing on foot, keep in mind that even with lower levels of runoff this season, these waters can still be treacherous and you’ll want to keep your wading to a minimum. Most of the trout are being pushed to the soft water on the edges during runoff anyways, so fish your patterns closer to the banks than normal. This is a good time to try a big foam salmon fly pattern with a dropper like a black perdigon, a lighter-colored TJ hooker, or a San Juan worm. You will undoubtedly see a lot of boats floating past you this month, so be prepared for the occasional interruption.
If you are lucky enough to find yourself in a raft for salmon flies, enjoy it; it’s some of the best dry fly fishing of the season in Montana! Just make sure whoever is on the sticks is both skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to Rock Creek (and other rivers like the Bitterroot). An experienced rower is key to a safe and successful trip, and we recommend novice rowers begin elsewhere.
One of the most fun things about fishing salmon flies is that you don’t need any delicacy when casting them; the rougher they land in the water, the better! In fact, I recommend twitching them as they drift downstream to give them a more life-like appearance in their presentation. Another tip is to carry a black or brown marker with you and obscure the orange underside of your fly pattern. Although they are associated with a bright orange color, the salmon flies are more often brown with hints of bright orange here and there on their bodies. Darkening your salmon fly patterns with a marker can often be the difference between a trout taking or refusing your bug.
The last thing I would recommend would be to opt for salmon fly patterns that lie low in the water as you will see fewer short strikes and set the hook better when they rise for them. Here in the Mercantile, we have a pattern called “Breaking Bad,” which are tied by Missoula local and fly tying guru Wayne Gravatt. It’s foamy and highly visible but sits low on the water and is a deadly pattern here on Rock Creek as well as our other rivers during stonefly season.
Before we know it, the big bugs will be done and we’ll be on to our summer hatches, but in the meantime, enjoy this amazing time of year for fly fishing Rock Creek and our other waters.
IN OTHER NEWS
- Rafting obstructions: We’ve only seen one NEW obstruction in the water this year, and that is a cottonwood that fell about a mile and a half above Siria campground. Fortunately you can see it coming from a long ways and it’s not overly difficult to portage around (or possibly slip it over in higher water). You will want to stay river left in this section. Other than that, there really isn’t anything new; there are spots in the Morgan Case homestead area and above the Microburst (aka the Warzone) that can be a little tight but if you are solid on the oars, they shouldn’t present a problem. If you are doing the float closer to our shop (from Lower Fire ring to the Tamarack takeout at Elkhorn), there is one portage at Spring Creek you will have to manage, but again, it’s not the most difficult obstacle. When in doubt, contact a guide or the fly shop to pick a knowledgeable brain and exercise caution when out on the water.
- In an earlier report this year, I mentioned that the dirt portion of Rock Creek road will be undergoing extensive maintenance starting in July. Just today, I learned that they bumped up the official start date to June 17, so prepare for delays if you are driving up Rock Creek road starting then. I also mistakenly said that it was a county-funded repair, but it in fact is a federal fund, part of the Legacy Restoration Fund from the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act. They plan to add a couple feet of gravel to the entirety of the dirt road and raise it from the rock bed that much of it has hit. This should vastly improve the conditions of the road for several years, although this will also undoubtedly increase traffic flow and thus fishing pressure. Many of us see it as a mixed bag, but I am hoping for the best with it.
That’s all for this round, anglers! Remember to stay safe out there, and enjoy the lovely fishing!