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Top 3 Bozeman Fishing Spots on Gallatin River | Winter Picks

Posted by: Nick Bacon
Date: 02/26/2024

Fly fishing in Montana on the Gallatin River is some of the best in the state, boasting healthy trout populations, prolific insect activity, and incredible scenery everywhere you look. With its close proximity to Bozeman, Montana, anglers fishing the Gallatin have year-round success - even in the dead of winter. Often overlooked due to sub-zero temperatures and snow, Gallatin River fishing in the winter offers solitude on a world-renowned wild trout river. Let's discuss the best spots for wintertime fly fishing on the Gallatin River.

1. Jack Smith Bridge - Gallatin Canyon

Jack Smith Bridge, located in Gallatin National Forest, is just a short drive from Big Sky, MT. The parking lot provides easy walk-in access to the river and wading isn't too difficult. Under the bridge is a deep hole with fish all over, often you can see Rainbow Trout and Mountain Whitefish feeding in the tail-out.

Many trout hold between this bridge and south past the turn out for Big Sky near where the West Fork of the Gallatin and a small spring creek feeds into the river. Nymphing is best for anglers fishing here with a mix of aquatic worms, stonefly nymphs, and midge larvae fly patterns. Various attractor nymphs like Prince Nymphs and Copper Johns should fill your Gallatin River fly box and effectively reach some of the deep trout of winter.

2. William's Bridge

Located 20 minutes south of Four Corners, MT, William's Bridge is a great option for a day of fly fishing near Bozeman. The water here offers excellent trout habitat with plenty of runs, shelves, and other structures where trout hold during the winter months. This access is only possible via public road and anglers must be responsible for following Montana Stream Access laws and be respectful of local landowners.

Nymphing with Black Perdigons #16-18, Olive and Chartreuse Caddis Larvae #16-18, Red Zebra Midges #18-22, and Sculpin imitations can be very effective. Dry fly fishing can be great when midges are hatching, trout are willing to rise to the surface if conditions are optimal. Work water thoroughly when fly fishing the Gallatin River here as wading along the river can be a bit more challenging and covering a lot of ground is not always the best option.

3. Four Corners FAS

East of Manhattan, MT, the Four Corners FAS is a great Bozeman fly fishing option during the winter. This area of Gallatin River is easy to navigate on foot and an angler will find many deep, slow-moving runs and some small spring-fed creeks that enter the river. Wild Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout stack up in areas where conditions are most suitable. Working areas thoroughly will help in figuring out their behavior.

Nymphing is the most effective method with two heavy fly patterns. Anglers find success using aquatic worms, small mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, and while streamer fly fishing too. Dry fly fishing is sporadic but is usually good around where creeks enter the main river on mild, cloudy days.

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