Rush Creek
creek in California
Rush Creek flows from Grant Lake down to Mono Lake, providing consistent cold water and supporting a healthy population of rainbow and brown trout, with excellent dry fly opportunities.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Rush Creek
- 01Mild 52°F temperatures and clear skies are creating comfortable fishing conditions on Rush Creek.
- 02Look for key fall hatches including October Caddis, Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs), and late-season Pale Morning Duns (PMDs).
- 03Subsurface nymphing with midge, egg, and stonefly patterns will be consistently productive for holding trout.
- 04Streamer fishing remains a strong tactic for aggressive brown and rainbow trout in deeper runs and pools.
- 05Stealth and precise presentations are paramount for success, especially when targeting the creek's notoriously spooky trophy brown trout.
Past reports week by week
6 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blood Dot Egg
Fall is spawning season for some resident trout, making egg patterns a highly effective and natural food source imitation on Rush Creek.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are a classic fall hatch, particularly on overcast days, enticing selective trout on Rush Creek.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A highly versatile searching nymph, this pattern effectively mimics a variety of active aquatic insects subsurface in Rush Creek's currents.
Olive Woolly Bugger
This versatile streamer imitates leeches and baitfish, which are key food sources for aggressive brown and rainbow trout in the colder fall waters of Rush Creek.
PMD Sparkle Dun
Late-season Pale Morning Duns can still be active, especially during warmer afternoon windows on Rush Creek, and this emerger pattern is highly effective for trout feeding in the film.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
This heavy stonefly nymph is excellent for getting deep in the current to imitate large, dislodged insects, a crucial food source for larger trout in Rush Creek.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are a significant fall hatch in Western rivers, providing a large meal for trout on Rush Creek.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge (Black)
Midges are a consistent, year-round food source, and black variations are especially effective in colder fall conditions on Rush Creek for finicky trout.
Where to fish and who to ask
Grant Lake Dam Outflow (Rush Creek)
Often holds good numbers of fish, especially during periods of stable flows, and offers easy access.
Loop Road Section (Rush Creek)
This section provides numerous pull-offs and wading opportunities, popular for its diverse runs and pools.
Silver Lake Inflow (Rush Creek)
The upper reaches of Rush Creek flowing into Silver Lake offer stunning scenery and good opportunities for smaller, wilder trout.
Get Rush Creek reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
California season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Rush Creek.
What flies work best on Rush Creek?
Our top scored fly patterns for Rush Creek right now are Flashback Baetis Nymph (80% confidence), Parachute BWO (80% confidence), Pheasant Tail Nymph (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Rush Creek?
Rush Creek holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Rush Creek?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Rush Creek are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Rush Creek fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Rush Creek each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.