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 196 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?

Yes — Rockcastle River is rated fishable right now. Current flow is 196 CFS at the Rockcastle River at Billows, KY gauge.

Rockcastle River Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Rockcastle River — Rockcastle River at Billows, KY

Fishable

196CFS

Discharge

2.20ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 21 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↑ Rising

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.84 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

79°FOvercast

Wind 0 mph28.84 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

☁️

Overcast

87° / 69°

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

85° / 72°

Sat

🌧️

Rain showers

86° / 73°

0.47"

Sun

⛈️

Thunderstorm

86° / 71°

0.16"

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.

9

Time of Day

Using: 196 CFS · Terrestrials dominate — Hoppers

What should I pack?

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

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Rockcastle River · July · Summer

Full calendar →

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

Select month

JanDec

Terrestrials dominate — Hoppers (#8–10), Foam Ants, Beetle patterns. Topwater poppers at dawn/dusk.

Terrestrials

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.