Spearfish Creek
creek in South Dakota
Spearfish Creek offers technical pocket-water and riffle/pool fishing with prolific hatches in spring and summer; popular with anglers seeking trout in a scenic Black Hills canyon.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are actively occurring
- 01Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are actively occurring, providing dry fly opportunities.
- 02Midge activity remains a consistent and important subsurface food source.
- 03Streamer fishing with baitfish and leech imitations will be effective for aggressive trout.
- 04Egg patterns are crucial for targeting opportunistic fish below spawning areas.
- 05Expect selective feeding on smaller, natural-looking patterns due to clear water.
Past reports week by week
7 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Fall is prime time for Blue-Winged Olive hatches, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults, especially on overcast days.
Buy at AmazonParachute BWO
Consistent BWO hatches occur in the fall, and this pattern is highly effective for rising fish in softer water, mimicking emerging adults.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph that mimics various aquatic insects, effective year-round and particularly in deeper, colder water.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
BWO emergers are crucial during fall hatches, and this high-visibility pattern helps anglers spot subtle takes from trout feeding in the film.
Baby Brown Trout (Streamer)
In the fall, larger brown trout become more aggressive, keying in on smaller baitfish, making this streamer a top choice for enticing territorial strikes.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, and remain highly effective in colder fall waters for subsurface feeding trout.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
As water temperatures drop in the fall, trout become more aggressive, making this versatile streamer excellent for imitating leeches and baitfish.
Blood Dot Egg
Fall is spawning season for some trout species, and egg patterns are highly effective below spawning fish, attracting opportunistic feeders.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Roughlock Falls Area
Popular pullout and hiking area with accessible pocket-water and riffles below the falls.
Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway Access
Multiple roadside pullouts along US-14A giving access to riffles and deep pools.
Spearfish City Park / Downtown Access
Urban access within Spearfish offering easy bank fishing and good early-season trout concentrations.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Finn Provisions
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South Dakota 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.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
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.
Quick answers
Common questions about Spearfish Creek.
What flies work best on Spearfish Creek?
Our top scored fly patterns for Spearfish Creek right now are Black Fly Larva (80% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence), Flashback Baetis Nymph (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Spearfish Creek?
Spearfish Creek holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Spearfish Creek fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Spearfish Creek each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.