What flies are hatching on the Rockcastle River right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Rockcastle River include Caddis, Sulphur, Hopper. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Rockcastle River?

The Rockcastle River is running at 83.7 CFS at the Rockcastle River at Billows, KY gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Rockcastle River fishable today?

Rockcastle River is rated marginal right now. Flow is 83.7 CFS at the Rockcastle River at Billows, KY gauge. Go in prepared — heavier tippet, cautious wading, or target edges and seams.

Rockcastle River Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Rockcastle River — Rockcastle River at Billows, KY

Marginal

83.7CFS

Discharge

1.55ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 11 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

→ Stable

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

29.2 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

36°FClear sky

Wind 3 mph29.2 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

☁️

Overcast

55° / 39°

Tomorrow

🌤️

Mainly clear

66° / 35°

Mon

☀️

Clear sky

70° / 39°

Tue

☁️

Overcast

70° / 42°

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

6

Time of Day

Using: 83.7 CFS · October Caddis

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Rockcastle River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Rockcastle River · October · Fall

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

October Caddis (#10–12), BWO, Midges. Fall trout stocking — best fall fishing of the year.

Blue-Winged OliveCaddisMidge

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Rockcastle River

A scenic, freestone Wild River with a split personality — part excellent smallmouth fishery, part put-and-take trout stream, part Class II whitewater corridor. Within Daniel Boone National Forest, the float from Livingston to Billows is the prime section. Smallmouth bass on poppers and streamers make this the best summer warmwater fly fishing destination in eastern Kentucky, set against one of the most beautiful river corridors in the state.

CaddisSulphurHopperMidge

Regulations

KY Fishing License + Trout Permit required for trout fishing. Trout: 8/day limit. All boaters must have life vests. Walleye: 18–26" slot limit, 2-fish daily limit on some sections. Life vest required for all floaters.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Rockcastle River with more confidence.