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Black Hills Fly Fishing Report, April 10, 2026

Hans Stephenson |

Black Hills Fly Fishing Report, April 10, 2026

Spring is here and the weather this weekend is going to feel like it. Today is around 60 degrees with some clouds and a breezy south wind, gusty but fishable. Saturday jumps to 80, Sunday comes in around 71, and Monday stays warm at 72. A chance of rain returns Tuesday with highs dropping back to the upper 50s. It is a good stretch of weather and a good time to get out.

Flows are on the low side across the Hills. Rapid Creek is running about 33 cfs in town, roughly 45% of normal for this date. Spearfish Creek is doing better at 48 cfs, around 62% of normal. Castle Creek below Deerfield is under 10 cfs, well below average. Low and clear water means fish get a long look at your fly, so slow down, drop your tippet size, and be careful with your approach.

Stream Conditions

Rapid Creek in Town

Running around 33 cfs and dropping slightly. The water is clear and the fish are there. Blue-winged olives have been hatching consistently in town over the past several days, and fish have been rising in the slower pools and along foam lines during the late morning and early afternoon. That is the hatch to focus on right now. With highs in the 70s and 80s this weekend, water temps will be worth keeping an eye on, but cool nights should keep things in good shape. It is always worth a quick check with a thermometer before you start, but we do not expect it to be an issue. Fish 5X or 6X, slow your approach, and be patient during the hatch.

Rapid Creek Below Pactola

Low water and limited fish make this a tough stretch right now. The occasional bigger trout is still possible if you work the deeper slots and undercuts carefully, but do not expect numbers. For more consistent action, in-town Rapid Creek or Spearfish Creek are better options this week.

Rapid Creek Above Pactola, Silver City

This water has been fishing decently and is worth a look this weekend. Mostly smaller browns with the occasional nice rainbow mixed in. Flows above the reservoir are modest but fishable and the fish are active. Dry-dropper setups work well here. Fish a CDC Thorax Dun or Sparkle Dun up top with a Killer Mayfly Nymph or Zebra Midge as the dropper. Work the riffles, seams, and any deeper pockets you can find. It is good water to cover some ground.

Spearfish Creek

At 48 cfs and 62% of normal, Spearfish has plenty of water to fish well from Iron Creek down through the canyon and into town. The spring-fed character keeps temperatures stable and fish active through the day. Midge hatches have been solid, and with the warm forecast this weekend, caddis could start making an appearance by Saturday or Sunday. Fish the seams, tailouts, and slower runs.

Castle Creek Below Deerfield

Under 10 cfs is low. The water is cold and clear out of the reservoir, which keeps it fishable, but expect technical conditions and fewer fish than the other options. A few good fish live here and precise presentations will find them, but for most anglers Spearfish or in-town Rapid Creek will be a more productive day.

What's Hatching

Blue Winged Olives are the story right now. They have been coming off consistently on in-town Rapid Creek over the past several days, and we expect that to continue this weekend and spread to Spearfish Creek and Silver City as well. Midges are still worth fishing early in the morning before the BWO hatch gets going, size 20 to 22 in black, olive, and red. Once the Baetis pick up, typically mid-morning into early afternoon, shift your attention to the surface. Fish swirling and rising without fully breaking the surface are eating emergers in the film, and that calls for a Morgan's Midge or CDC Thorax Dun fished on a long, light leader. Overcast windows this weekend, especially Sunday and into Tuesday, will produce the strongest dry fly activity.

Fly Recommendations

Nymphs

  • Zebra Midge, black or red, sizes 20-22
  • Mercury Midge, black or olive, sizes 20-22
  • T-Midge, black, sizes 18-20
  • Killer Mayfly Nymph, sizes 18-20

Dries and Emergers

  • Morgan's Midge, sizes 18-22, a top producer for midge and early BWO feeding
  • Griffith's Gnat, sizes 18-20, good when fish are rising to midge clusters midmorning
  • CDC Thorax Dun BWO, sizes 18-20, the call when fish are in the film on overcast windows
  • Sparkle Dun BWO, sizes 18-20, a good low-riding option when trout are keying on emergers

Weekend Outlook

Friday, April 10 Mostly cloudy, high 61, breezy with gusts to 30 mph. Wind will make dry fly fishing difficult today. Fish protected banks and sheltered runs and focus on midges and nymphs.

Saturday, April 11 High of 81. Warm and mostly sunny. Fish early before water temps climb. BWOs should hatch during any cloudy windows in the afternoon.

Sunday, April 12 High of 71. More manageable than Saturday. Good all-day fishing potential and overcast periods should produce solid BWO activity.

Monday, April 13 High of 72 and dry. Another good day on the water.

Tuesday, April 14 Rain chance returns with highs dropping to 57. Cooler and wetter conditions are ideal for BWOs and should bring good dry fly fishing.

Flows are low and the water is clear, so stealth and presentation matter. The BWO hatch has been consistent and the weather sets up well for dry fly fishing through the weekend. Get out there.

Stop by the shop or visit flyfishsd.com for flies, local advice, and updated conditions. Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dakota Angler and Outfitter | 1010 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City, SD | 605-341-2450

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