Rock Creek

Rock Creek is one of Montana's classic freestone trout streams, flowing for roughly fifty miles through a timbered canyon east of Missoula before joining the Clark Fork River. Unlike the broad, valley-floor rivers of southwestern Montana, Rock Creek is an intimate, medium-sized stream that rewards careful wading and thoughtful fly selection. The creek holds healthy populations of westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and bull trout, and its character shifts dramatically over its length, from tumbling pocket water in the upper reaches to long, glassy pools and sweeping runs in the lower canyon.

What sets Rock Creek apart from many Montana rivers is its outstanding dry fly fishing during the skwala stonefly hatch in March and April, one of the earliest significant hatches in the state. When these large, dark stoneflies begin crawling to the banks, trout that have spent months subsisting on midges and nymphs suddenly key on surface food with reckless enthusiasm. The creek also produces excellent caddis hatches in late spring, followed by golden stoneflies and pale morning duns through the summer months. The combination of diverse trout species, varied water types, and a season that begins earlier than most Montana rivers makes Rock Creek an essential addition to any western Montana fishing itinerary. The road that follows the creek provides numerous pullouts and access points, though the best fishing is often found by hiking a short distance away from the most obvious parking areas.