Fly Fishing
Rock Creek
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Just to avoid confusion, the Rock Creek located in southern Montana
is not the same Rock
Creek as is found in the western part of the state (and which is
far more popular among anglers and has much better fishing). The two
rivers may share the same name, but are entirely different in
landscape
and
fishing. More
information about Rock Creek in SW Montana.
This Rock Creek begins high in the mountains of the Absaroka-Beartooth
Wilderness and flows for more than 55 miles to the confluence with the
Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. It flows through a very diverse
landscape. Huge mountains and thick forests dominate the upper 15 miles
of the river. Rock Creek then leaves the mountains behind at the town
of Red Lodge, Montana, entering a beautiful rolling, prairie landscape
that lasts until the rivers end. Throughout its prairie section, Rock
Creek has thick cottonwood trees and brush lining its banks and has rocks
everywhere. It also splits into a number of channels, most of which run
dry later in the summer.
The water in Rock Creek is crystal clear except during spring run-off.
It is also quite cool, reflecting the rivers origin high in the mountains
and the fact that its primary tributaries consist of high alpine creeks
and streams.
The mountain section of Rock Creek, above Red Lodge, is home to lots
of small cutthroat and brook trout. They are easy to catch on virtually
any dry fly with a half way decent presentation. The fish are small but
feisty and are fun to catch. And of course the scenic backdrop is just
incredible. Fishing pressure is very light on the section of Rock Creek.
While the traffic can be incredible at times, virtually all of it consists
of vehicles going up and over Beartooth Pass on their way to/from Yellowstone
National Park, which lies about 80 miles away.
Downstream from Red Lodge, decent fly fishing for both rainbow and brown
trout can be found - with the best brown trout fishing found in the lower
half. This section of Rock Creek is an excellent place for a dry fly
fisherman who lacks a boat to float other major Montana rivers. Once
spring run-off ends, the river is fairly narrow (but just wide enough
to allow for easy casting) in this section, and the extensive gravel
provides easy shoreline walking once spring run-off ends and the river
levels drop. Except in the holes, the river is also fairly shallow, providing
plenty of places to be able to easily wade across the river.
Dry flies work just as well on this section of Rock Creek as they do
further upstream. Fishing pressure is quite light, and the rainbow trout
will rise readily to a fairly well presented dry fly imitation. PMD imitations
and the Parachute Adams are excellent dry flies for this river.
When chasing after the larger brown trout on Rock Creek, streamers are
effective, especially in the fall when the fish move out of their protective
cover. Fish the streamers around the many downfalls that are found in
the river, in holes and around the undercut banks that are found.
Access to Rock Creek above Red Lodge is easy. Just upstream from Red
Lodge the Rock Creek passes through public lands, with roads of one variety
or another closely following it. To gain access, just park anywhere and
take a short walk through the woods. Below Red Lodge, access to Rock
Creek is limited as it flows through private lands. Happily, several
good fishing access sites exist, and several bridge crossings provide
additional access points. It should be noted that the mountain section
of Rock Creek can be "over-run" with recreational campers on
Fridays and Saturdays during the summer. Hordes of people, generally
from nearby Billings, head up to the mountains on the weekends. In other
words, don't expect pristine solitude on the weekends.
Float fishing the Rock Creek is not really recommended. The river has
to many twists and turns, downfall and is too narrow to allow productive
float fishing. Anyone float fishing is likey going to spend most of their
time maneuvering their boat around corners and obstructions instead of
fishing. Later in the summer, Rock Creek generally becomes unfloatable
in some sections due to low water. Rock Creek, like its counterpart to
the west, is best wade fished.
This is not to say floating can't be done. During higher flows, such
as soon after spring run-off ends, the river is floatable from Red Lodge
all the way down to the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone. And it is a scenic
float. Just be aware of the many downfalls that will be encountered.
The river splits into many channels, some of which can have lots of downfall
on them or have very little depth. Selecting the right channel is crucial
to floating this little river. Fall, assuming rain adds some flows to
the river, also provides a fine time for floating, all the more so since
the colors of the trees and brush along the river make for a beautiful
setting.
Rock Creek : River Miles
Listed below are selected river miles for Rock Creek. Clicking on any
of the links will provide additional information about each Fishing Access
Site (FAS).
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