CFS: 1450
Water Temperature: 47 – 59 Degrees Fahrenheit
Dries: Drakes, Mayflies, Mother’s Day Caddis, and Terrestrials
Nymphs: Stoneflies, Spanish Bullets, Perdigons, and San Juan Worms
FISHING REPORT
Hello anglers,
Randi from the Merc here! Runoff is officially upon us. After a clear, sunny streak with great fishing, we are moving into a more challenging but rewarding time of the season. The water rose significantly in the last few days, and visibility is lower. This means being more open to frequently swapping out your flies and moving around to different spots for a successful day. It also means extra pride when you land a fish in these difficult conditions!
I went out twice this week and had one great day and one total loss day. The comparison of my fishing partner Mordecai’s expressions in the photos below say it all.
On the not-so-good day, one thing that led to a few hits was being intentional about moving my indicator up and down to figure out the sweet spot for rising water.
If you’re heading up Rock Creek this week, exercise extra caution! Especially if you’re planning to float, be sure to research potential hazards and have an experienced rower in the boat. Bring your boots and waders to navigate the creek’s marshy conditions even if you don’t plan to wade.
Dry fly fishing will be difficult this week, but you should still go for it! Try Drakes, Mayflies, Mother’s Day Caddis, and Terrestrials like ant and bee patterns.
You’ll spend most of your time fishing subsurface flies though. This week’s nymph selection includes Stoneflies, Spanish Bullets, Perdigons, and San Juan Worms. A good pairing for runoff would be a Blue Jig Stonefly with a Two-Toned Worm; John at the shop calls this “Batman and the Joker.” This week is also a great time to play with streamers. Opt for lighter colors on sunny days and darker when the clouds roll in.
We are on salmonfly watch at the Merc! Follow us on social media @rockcreekmercantile for updates on this highly anticipated hatch. Have a safe week out there! Happy fishing!