Rocky Ford Spring Creek is located in Eastern Washington, just a few miles East Northeast of Ephrata. Since it’s a spring creek, the water temperature remains fairly constant all year, which means that the fish can be just as active in February when the air is –20 degrees as they are when the air temperature is 75. As a result, Rocky Ford generally fishes very well throughout the year, (and is open year-round).
Another element of spring creeks to bear in mind is the fact that the water is generally extremely clear, so not only can you see the fish and bugs very clearly, but they can see you. Rocky Ford fish have a reputation for being very spooky not only because of the water clarity, but also because of its popularity as a fishery. It is stocked periodically with rainbow trout from the hatchery located at the headwaters of the creek (which happens to be just above the area of public access). Occasionally, the department of fisheries puts Atlantic Salmon in Rocky Ford. You’ll know when you hook one…

Given the pressure anglers put on the fish there, there are a few common tactics to keep in mind to increase your success rate there. First of all, remember that the fish don’t really like you. When they see you, they’ll likely be spooked and very unlikely to eat your fly. Just because you’ve spooked a Rocky Ford fish does not necessarily mean that the fish will bolt and swim away….they are highly educated. Often times they will just hold their ground, but refuse any offerings you present.
One popular tactic is to keep moving. Stalk the fish. Ideally, as you quietly approach the water, you’ll be able to spot a fish cruising or feeding. Take your time and sneak up on it…employ your best stealth tactics and you will be rewarded. Make only a few presentations to any given fish. If you don’t entice a strike, you might change flies once or twice, but don’t just whip the water into a froth trying for the same fish. It has probably recognized you and your unfriendly intentions giving it a nasty case of lock-jaw. Move on. Find another target. You are not permitted to step in the water at Rock Ford, and as a result, there are convenient paths up and down the banks of the creek, punctuated with the occasional ‘casting station’. Make your way around the banks working fish as you are able to spot them.
Your angling tactics at Rocky Ford start with the manner in which you set up your gear. Spooky fish require very long leaders and fine tippets. It is not uncommon for anglers to fish 15’ leaders to 6X over there. Fluorocarbon tippet material can help to give you the advantage you need due to its low visibility when beneath the surface of the water. It’s unlikely that you’ll need anything more than a floating line. Rods much shorter than 9’ can make angling more difficult late in spring and throughout the summer as the creekside vegetation grows pretty tall, making for many entanglements. Keep your surroundings in mind as you make your back casts.

When making fly selections for Rocky Ford, bear in mind that trout feed about 90% of the time beneath the water’s surface. While the dry fly fishing can be excellent there, your batting average will generally be better fishing sub-surface fly patterns. Suggested patterns:
Scuds- olive, rust, gray #16-22
Chironomids- pupa, larva, emergers & adults – black, red, olive #16-28- griffith’s gnat, lasha’s raccoon, California Mosquito, and various emergent chironomid imitations.
Woolly Buggers- black, white, olive, yellow…with or without beads…mix it up #4-10- and fish these in particular if you’re able to stay until dusk…quick retrieves of big buggers and streamers often makes for some unforgettable evening fishing there.
Callibaetis mayfly imitations- nymphs: rubber legs hare’s ear, or your favorite non-descript nymph imitation. Emergers: cripple callibaetis are often very effective during a strong hatch. Adults: If you don’t have the true ‘speckled wing’ imitation, a small parachute adams is often sufficient.
Blue Winged Olives- #18-24

Damsel and Dragonflies proliferate in late spring and throughout the summer, so if you’re there that time of year, bring both imitations for the nymphs and the adults. You will see fish going for the (adult) naturals occasionally. It can make your blood run cold.
We often hear about people fishing the two sections of quicker water there successfully with attractor-type flies- wulffs, humpies, adams, etc. In general, the slower water requires the more exacting insect imitations, but the work always is not in the fly anglers vocabulary. Things change every day. There are no absolutes when it comes to dealing with ‘wild’ animals- Rocky Ford fish are no exception. What worked like a charm yesterday may not even draw a glance from the fish tomorrow. Figuring it out is arguably half the fun.

Directions:
From the Seattle area, Take Interstate 90 East past the Columbia River. Continue past George to Route 283 towards Soap Lake. Follow 283 northeast to Ephrata. Turn Right on Rout 282. After 4-5 miles, turn Left on Route 17. The road to Rocky Ford is approximately 3 miles up on the Right. Follow the gravel road down to the creek. There you will see a parking area on the left. You can also continue down the road a bit, and there is another area to park on the right which is more centrally located in relation to the public access area. There are bridges across the creek both at the top, next to the first parking lot, and down a mile or so before the creek opens up into a big ‘pond’. The fish are everywhere. Don’t limit yourself to one spot.

Check the weather before you go: the Basin offers quickly changing weather conditions so be prepared. Extremely strong winds can make your day very difficult.

If you have any other questions or would like to speak to some people who have fished Rocky Ford frequently over the years, please call Creekside Angling Company at 425-392-3800. We also carry a vast selection of all the flies you would need on a trip to this trophy fishery.