Rock Creek Lake/Lake Christine

[Fochetti]

So I am going to have to start off by saying that my dad and I were disappointed at the fish in Rock Creek. We were both under the impression that they were wild fish, not the case. However we had a good time and caught some nice fish. I love to see new waters even if they aren't the best.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3521.jpg

We got to the Lake and saw fish rising,and some cruising the shoreline. My dad was in the water first and hooked up before I was even in the tube. He casted a hopper to a rising fish and hooked in to a pretty big fish.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3486.jpg

We saw the tail and knew it was not wild.

Even though fish were rising it took a while to figure out what they were taking. After changing flies too many times, I finally caught a couple on a real small dry.

My first fish

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3488.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3489.jpg

It actually was a pretty fish and had nice fins.

While fishing near shore I heard some commotion in the bushes near me. It sounded quite large and freaked me out a little so I backed up. Only to see this guy, who seemed scared out of his life. He swam around forever and I thought it was going to drown. It didn't.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3492.jpg

I kicked in to grab a little lunch and on the dock casted to some cruisers. Hooked this fish which was good looking.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3495.jpg

While on the dock my dad pointed out a damsel swimming around so after lunch I decided to try one. It worked and caught about five more that evening. Two that were over 5 pounds, no tails and not very pretty. One of them took up the space in between my pontoons on the tube.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3499.jpg

The next morning I tried some more dry action with little luck. Switched back to the damsel and it was on. I caught this one little brown, which was wild cause it had a little red on the adipose.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3506.jpg

And this beast...

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3509.jpg

This was one of my prettier fish

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3511.jpg

Bent...

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3512.jpg

And subdued...

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3513.jpg

We were told there was another lake on the property that we could try if the fishing was not great. We went over for the evening to Lake Christine. When we arrived, about a five minute drive, we talked to the owner. He said there had been great hatches in the evening, and was right.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3539.jpg

Before I got in the water I saw a big brown rise right off shore. Decided to throw a black ant, and he liked it.

Now that is what I am talking about a gorgeous wild fish

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3515.jpg

We got out in the water and the fish kept rising, I caught another nice brown on the ant.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3516.jpg

And a rainbow

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3517.jpg

About a half hour before dark the hatch was epic. The best one I have ever witnessed. Calibaetis everywhere,swarms of them. However, I did not get another grab.

My thought is that because of so many bugs on the water the chance that my one fly getting picked was lower. Maybe just had the wrong fly though.

Next day we went back there obviously. There was no hatch to speak of, but still a few random risers.

Caught a nice bow on a mayfly emerger.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3528.jpg

And then this beast of a brown on the same fly. I had been stalking him for a while so I was very satisfied to get him to take my offering.

He measured at 19"

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3533.jpg

Check out the shoulders

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk230/foesweasel/DSCF3534.jpg

It was a great trip even though Rock Creek wasn't quite what we had expected. New waters, fishing with pops, and the solitude of two lakes to ourselves.

I would not recommend Rock Creek, but Christine has some BIG fish cruising and they are definitely beautiful. Plus the added bonus of a lake to yourself never hurts.

Hope you enjoy.

[Scott V]

Nice fish John, those browns are beautiful. I am glad you had a good time with your pops.

[Ross]

I first went to Rock Creek Lake in the mid-90s. I caught a lot super-sized rainbows all on really small dries. I think the biggest was about 26" (I have a picture somewhere). The rainbows were clean and healthy. It was a great weekend and I never felt like I was catching someone's pet trout (like the lake at Hat Creek Ranch).

Two years later I went back and caught nothing but browns, generally in the 16 - 19 inch range. The difference in the fish population was so stunning that I called The Fly Shop and wondered out loud about whether the rainbows were holding up to the fishing pressure. I'm no alarmist but this was a real "WTF?"

Given your observations, it seems they had to re-stock it. I sure like that lake though. It's one of the prettiest places you'll see.

[1flyfisher]

How much does it cost for a day of fishing at these lakes?