Bozeman Fishing Reports
Date: 07/23/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The rain this week has changed conditions on a lot of our local rivers. Some streams came up overnight, others picked up quite a bit of color, and a few are already starting to recover. Over the next several days, checking current flows and the latest fishing reports before leaving the house is going to save you a lot of time.
The Gallatin took the biggest hit and isn't in great shape right now. The recent rain pushed the river up enough that it's going to take a little time to settle back down. If you're determined to fish it, heavy nymphs like a beadhead pat's rubberlegs and wire worm or large black and olive streamers are your best options. If the weather stays dry, the Gallatin should be back in good shape before long.
The Upper Madison is already fishing much better. Water levels have settled down, and anglers are finding fish on both dry-dropper rigs and nymphs. A chubby with a spanish bullet or flashy perdigon underneath is still a good place to start, and there have been enough fish looking up that it's worth keeping an eye out for rising trout.
The Yellowstone has gone the other direction. It's running high and dirty after this week's rain and will likely need more time before it's worth fishing again. At the moment, there are better options than spending a day waiting for the Yellowstone to clear.
Additional Resources:
- The Best Bozeman Fly Fishing in July
Recommended Flies
Prince Nymph
Pheasant Tail
Black Pat's Rubberleg
Juju Baetis
Olive Mini Dungeon
Skiddish Smolt
Parachute Adams
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Bozeman Fly Fishing
A year-round trout fishing destination, the Bozeman MT fly fishing options are endless. Learn more about fly fishing in Montana on our blue-ribbon waters in our "Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide" online.
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