Rock Creek (Bighorns)
Fly fishing in Wyoming · Intermediate · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
About This Water
Bighorn Mountains stream with rainbow and brook trout. Cloud Peak Wilderness access.
Fishing Recommendations
Rock Creek, tumbling off the eastern slope of the Bighorn Mountains near Buffalo, Wyoming, is the quintessential mountain freestone stream. Unlike the massive tailwaters the state is famous for, Rock Creek offers an intimate, high-energy fly fishing experience. It is a place of granite boulders, plunge pools, and aggressive trout that have a short window to eat.
As your guide, here is the breakdown for tackling this Bighorn gem.
🎣 Location Overview
Rock Creek is a high-gradient mountain stream characterized by "pocket water." It transitions from high-alpine meadows near its headwaters to a rugged, boulder-choked canyon as it descends toward the plains.
What makes it special is the purity of the experience. You aren't fighting for "spots" here like you might on the Miracle Mile. It’s a technical hike-and-wade fishery where stealth and accuracy are rewarded. The water is gin-clear, cold, and oxygenated, creating a perfect habitat for wild, vibrant trout. Anglers love it because the fish are incredibly opportunistic—if you make a good presentation, they will usually rise.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The creek is a stronghold for two main species, with a bonus third:
- Brook Trout: Found predominantly in the upper reaches and the small feeder tributaries. They are stunningly colored, especially in the fall, and tend to congregate in the slower "tail-outs" of beaver ponds or the quiet eddies behind large boulders.
- Rainbow Trout: These dominate the middle and lower sections. They are hardy, athletic, and prefer the "heavy" water—the seams right next to fast currents and the bubbly heads of pools.
- Yellowstone Cutthroat: You will occasionally find these in the mix, particularly in the higher elevations. Treat them with extra care.
Behavior: Because the growing season is short (June–September), these fish are not "selective" in the way a spring-creek trout is. They are calories-driven. However, they are extremely vibration-sensitive. If you heavy-foot into a pool, the fishing is over before it starts.
📅 Best Times to Fish
The window on Rock Creek is dictated by snowpack and elevation.
- Summer (July – August): This is the prime window. Runoff usually subsides by early July. This is the era of the "Terrestrial," where trout look for grasshoppers and ants falling from the banks.
- Fall (September – early October): My personal favorite. The Brook trout turn a fiery orange as they prepare to spawn. The water levels are low and technical, and the crowds (which are already small) disappear.
- Time of Day: In the high country, there is no need to be on the water at dawn. The water is cold; the bugs don't move until the sun hits the canyon floor. 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM is the "Golden Window."
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dry Flies:
- Royal Wulff or Humpy (Size 14-16): High visibility is key in the bubbly pocket water.
- Chubby Chernobyl (Size 12): Great as a hopper imitation and floats like a cork.
- Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14-18): The staple evening fly.
- Nymphs:
- Bead-head Pheasant Tail (Size 16-18): Mimics almost everything in the creek.
- Copper John (Red or Blue, Size 16): The weight helps it get down in fast chutes.
- Streamers:
- Woolly Bugger (Olive or Black, Size 10-12): Only necessary in the deeper canyon holes for the occasional "resident monster" (14+ inches).
Effective Techniques
- The Dry-Dropper Rig: This is the most effective way to fish Rock Creek. Tie a buoyant dry fly (like a Chubby) and hang a small Pheasant Tail nymph 18–24 inches below it. You’ll catch 50% on each.
- High-Sticking: Because of the complex currents, you want as little fly line on the water as possible. Keep your rod tip high and "track" your fly through the pockets.
- The "Short Game": You will rarely need to cast more than 20 feet. Accuracy and a soft landing are more important than distance.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Fish Upstream: Always. Mountain trout face into the current. If you approach from behind, you can get much closer to them.
- The "Two-Cast Rule": In small mountain streams, the best fish in the pool usually hits on the first or second clean drift. If you’ve drifted a spot five times with no luck, move to the next pocket. Covering water is the secret to high numbers.
- The Rock Creek Canyon: If you are physically fit, hike into the steeper canyon sections away from the road access points. The fish there see very few flies and are much less wary.
- Watch the Shadows: In the narrow canyon, your shadow falling across a pool will send fish darting for cover. Keep the sun in your face when possible.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Much of the upper creek is within the Bighorn National Forest. Public access is excellent, but keep an eye out for small pockets of private land near the base of the mountains. Use an app like OnX Maps to stay legal.
- Regulations: A valid Wyoming Fishing License is required. Be sure to purchase your "Conservation Stamp" as well, which is required for all licensed anglers in WY.
- Wildlife & Safety: This is Grizzly and Black Bear country. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Also, be wary of Moose; they frequent the willow-thick sections of the creek and can be more aggressive than bears.
- Wading: The rocks here are slick and often loose. Felt-soled boots or studs are highly recommended, as is a wading staff if you plan on navigating the deeper canyon stretches.
Guide’s Final Word: Pack a light 3-weight or 4-weight rod, a box of bushy dries, and plenty of water. Rock Creek isn't about trophy hunting; it's about the soul of fly fishing—wild fish in a wild place.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive (BWO) Baetis spp. | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Mid-day/Afternoon | #18-22 | Parachute Adams #18-22, RS2 (Grey/Olive) #20-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20 |
| Pale Morning Dun (PMD) Ephemerella spp. | mayfly | June, July, August | Late Morning/Afternoon | #14-18 | Sparkle Dun #16-18, Split Case PMD #16-18, Quill Gordon #14-16 |
| Golden Stonefly Hesperoperla pacifica | stonefly | June, July | Morning/Evening | #8-12 | Pats Rubber Legs #8-12, Rogue River Stone #8-10, Golden Chubby Chernobyl #10-12 |
| Yellow Sally Isoperla spp. | stonefly | July, August | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Yellow Sally Stimulator #14-16, Iron Sally #14-16 |
| Spotted Sedge (Caddis) Hydropsyche spp. | caddis | July, August, September | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Tan) #14-18, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Holy Grail Caddis #16-18 |
| Western March Brown Rhithrogena morrisoni | mayfly | May, June | Afternoon | #12-14 | March Brown Dun #12-14, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #12-14 |
| Grasshoppers Orthoptera | terrestrial | August, September | Mid-day/Afternoon | #8-12 | Morrish Hopper #10-12, Dave's Hopper #8-12, Rainy's Grand Hopper #10-12 |
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | March, April, October, November | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge (Red/Black) #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #18-20, Top Secret Midge #20-24 |