I love years like this one. They don’t come along often, but when they do be ready to take advantage of them. Everything just falls into place on years like this. Take Rock Creek, for example. This year has been great, and it will continue well into the fall. Flows have been steadily dropping, down to just over 360 cfs last night. These levels are above average for this time of year and just perfect.
There are lots and lots of bugs on the water right now. Caddis, PMDs, BWOs, Spruce Moths and terrestrials have been keeping folks busy. Look for PMDs and Spruce Moths mainly in the mornings, with ants, beetles and hoppers working later in the day. BWOs and caddis in the evenings. Attractors are working pretty much all day. I have been fishing the Rock with just Elk Hair Caddis, several hoppers, a Royal Wulff and the purple haze.
If you don’t want to fish dries, nymphing has been very productive with the regular goods: princes, san juans, pheasant tails, hare’s ears and so on. Fish something with a bead head for a little flash. But I do have to say, if you are fishing nymphs when dries are working then something is wrong with you. Seriously wrong.
Streamers have been working very well in the lower third of the creek. The lower reaches have been good for almost anything. I have noticed a pretty sever drop in fishermen of late, better take advantage of the quiet!
Tags: River - Rock Creek
