Gallatin River Fishing Report
Date: 07/31/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Gallatin River is fishing great. Cooler nights have kept the water in good shape up high, and flows remain clear and manageable. The canyon section has been fishing consistently throughout the day, with fish holding in pocket water, banks, and in midriver buckets. The valley has been best in the early mornings, the cooler nights have made for decent dry fly fishing before the sun gets up, and the outside air temperature heats up.
Dry-dropper rigs are getting the most love in the canyon. Fishing chubby chernobyls up top to a small pink or purple perdigon 16 to 18 inches below, off the hook bend of the lead fly. Running a 9 foot leader of 4x or 5x with 5x fluorocarbon for the dropper.
Spruce moths are going to be the premier hatch in the evenings and near dusk. Fishing patterns like the spruce almighty or corn fed spruce moth are our favorites. Fishing a single dry has been effective in picking up a few fish near shaded areas and overhanging trees.
Down low, hoot owl restrictions are now in place from Amsterdam Road to the Missouri. That stretch is off-limits from 2pm to midnight, so get your fishing in early or stick to the canyon where water stays cooler. Overall, the Gallatin is in great shape right now for late July. Mornings are crisp, fish are active, and there’s no shortage of bugs moving. Pack a few terrestrials too, just in case.
Additional Resources:
- A Guide To Bozeman Fly Fishing in July
- Gallatin River Fly Fishing in July
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Spruce Moth Almighty
Pink Lite Brite Perdigon
Black Foam Beetle
Deer Hair Ant
Royal Chubby Chernobyl
Pink Morrish Hopper
Purple Blowtorch
Purple Lite Brite Perdigon
Gallatin River Fishing
Read our "Gallatin River Fishing Guide" to learn more about fly fishing in Montana on the Gallatin River. It is a great resource for anglers fishing near Bozeman Montana and details the various river stretches and seasonal hatches with tips from our Bozeman fly fishing guides.
Additional Gallatin River Fly Fishing Resources
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Montana fly fishing trips on the Gallatin River with the team at Fins and Feathers Guide Service includes wading the canyon sections south of Bozeman and floating the lower river...
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