Did we mention that this waterway gets stocked with an impressive 17,600 rainbow trout each year? Only in January and February, when weather is usually bad -- and in July and August, the hottest months -- does Rock Creek not get a load of trout. This is unique among all the other trout streams in Kentucky -- and maybe there's a good reason for that.

When you picture a remote trout-fishing getaway spot with deep, clear holes of water, cascading riffles and eddies with massive boulders marking shoreline casting targets, Rock Creek pretty much fills the bill in all those regards somewhere along its way. It's no doubt a showcase waterway for the Commonwealth.

The stream itself follows closely along Bell Farm Road or Forest Service Road 137, so it's not hard to find. You may want to investigate and find a spot to leave one vehicle upstream, and go with a partner in another vehicle downstream for a distance, and fish back over the course of the entire day. This approach helps you locate good spots to return to later, and gets you familiar with the territory and which type of fishing works best in what location. Ten miles is a long way, so doing a section at a time isn't a bad idea to learn what you're working with.

Again, don't get carried away with heavy-duty tackle. Trout in streams are cautious by nature, so plunking down big, loud baits in a quiet pool 2 feet deep isn't exactly the type of attention you want. Be stealthy and think like a trout.

EAST FORK OF INDIAN CREEK
OK, let's trek northeast a pretty good ways and see what that region holds for high-quality trout fishing. If you hop on Bert Combs Mountain Parkway just east of Winchester and zip down toward Slade, in barely an hour you'll be in some excellent territory for stream trout fishing.

When you exit at Slade, backtrack a bit to SR 77 and go north, where you'll come upon the East Fork of Indian Creek in Menifee County. You'll have over five miles of water where 3,900 rainbows and 400 browns are released annually, some of which are gaining size and weight during the delayed-harvest season.

Out of a total of almost 50 creeks and rivers where trout can survive, KDFWR biologists have selected this stream for its special, higher-quality fishing experience. Water quality is better and habitat more prevalent; thus it's a top choice to fish.

East Fork Indian Creek Road, easily enough named, will take you into the area to explore what's available. Some nicer trout swim the pools in the Red River Gorge Area. Perhaps you'll want to camp and fish, or even rock climb while you're there. Both options are possible along with trout fishing.