3 Rivers to Fish and Tactics to Fish Them

Fall in Montana means lower, clearer water, colder nights, and trout changing their behaviors. It’s the time of year when brown trout stage for their spawn, rainbow and cutthroat feed heavily before winter, and hatches like BWOs re-emerge on cloudy afternoons. While almost every fishery around Bozeman offers good fishing in the fall, three renowned Montana fly fishing rivers stand out for their consistent action and variety.

The Gallatin, the Yellowstone, and the Upper Madison River. Each has its own strengths in the fall, but all are great options for anglers looking to experience all that fall in Montana has to offer on the river.

The Yellowstone River

The Yellowstone River in the fall is known for both its scenery and its fishing. Flows stay stable, and the water remains clear. Fall is one of the best times of year for larger fish as the browns begin staging for their spawn, becoming more aggressive toward streamers, while rainbows and cutthroat keep feeding on nymphs and late-season insects.

Streamer fishing is one of the best ways to target fish on the Yellowstone in the fall. A 7-weight with a solid streamer line like the RIO Streamer Tip or the Scientific Anglers Trout Express helps turn over big flies and get them down fast. Showing up with a variety of weights, colors, and profiles can make all the difference. Some days, fish want something bright and flashy; other days, they’ll only chase olive or black. Changing patterns often is smart when the bite feels slow. Sex dungeons are a staple and always good to have in a variety of colors, with the deer hair head and lead eyes getting it down quickly and pushing water. The double gonga is another favorite, heavy enough to sink quickly, and a great pattern for fishing fast water.

The Gallatin River

The Gallatin River is one of the most consistent fall fisheries around Bozeman. BWOs often hatch on cloudy afternoons in the Gallatin Canyon, and trout will rise when conditions line up. Nymphing stays reliable throughout the season with small mayfly and midge patterns under an indicator or in a dry-dropper setup with smaller terrestrials.

Streamer fishing also has its place throughout the river sections in the Gallatin Valley. A 6 or 7 weight with a short sink-tip line covers most water here, and with the flows low and water clear, the valley really shines this time of year as the scenery comes alive with the colors of fall.

The bonus of fall is that fishing pressure drops off as the days get shorter. From the Yellowstone National Park boundary to Bozeman, access points and popular stretches see fewer anglers, giving you more space to work water that can feel crowded in summer.

The Upper Madison River

The upper Madison River is hard to beat in the fall, especially in areas like Valley Garden and through the braided section that runs down toward Ennis Lake. This stretch comes alive as brown trout move through on their way to spawn, making it one of the best areas to target bigger fish. The side channels, islands, and seams around Valley Garden create a mix of holding water that trout use heavily this time of year, and with cooler weather keeping crowds down, anglers often find more space to spread out.

Streamers are a solid option for moving big browns, but nymphing remains just as effective as it does for the rest of the year. Smaller mayfly and attractor nymphs fished under an indicator work well through the side channels, while a handful of streamers in different colors and weights give anglers another way to cover water when fish are on the move.

Covering water and being aware of wildlife is also important when fishing near Ennis during the fall. The channels and tight braids near the Valley Garden fishing access site make it hard to see and hear everything upstream or downstream, so being aware of your surroundings is essential.

Experience Montana Fly Fishing in the Fall

Fall is one of the best times of year for fly fishing in Montana. Shorter days, cooler water, and fewer anglers make rivers like the Gallatin, Yellowstone, and Upper Madison both productive and enjoyable. With brown trout on the move, BWOs hatching on cloudy afternoons, and a mix of tactics from nymphs to streamers in play, there’s no shortage of opportunity. For anyone looking to experience Montana fly fishing in its prime, autumn offers some of the most rewarding days of the shortening season.

Join the Bozeman fly fishing guides at Fins and Feathers Guide Service for a day or two on these legendary wild trout rivers this October for an introduction to fall fly fishing in Montana. Every day is different, each delivers variety and opportunities to improve your skills while enjoying this fantastic time of year under the Big Sky.

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