Gallatin River Fishing Report
Date: 10/11/2024
Posted by: Toby Swank
A few days of clouds will get the bugs more active and improve the overall Gallatin River fishing in the coming days. BWO hatches are improving and bring a few hours of potential dry fly fishing to anglers fishing the Gallatin Gateway and canyon river sections. The increase in insect activity, however, will also result in longer periods during which trout are more actively eating suburface.
Look for rising fish along the inside seams near bank structure and through the long glides so common this time of year in low-flow periods. Cover these fish with long leaders and fine tippets, using blue-winged olive dun and emerger patterns. Accurate, delicate presentations are key in these conditons.
Nymph fishing or focusing on subsurface fly fishing using dry/dropper setups is the most productive technique right now. Tandem nymph rigs of 5-6 feet in length below a strike indicator cover a variety of water where trout are holding and feeding. Add weight to get down quicker in the fast, deep runs.
Streamer fly fishing has also been improving and can be a fun way to cover a lot of water while wading the Gallatin Valley river sections for anglers looking for the best fishing near Bozeman.
You can get an idea of the water conditions in the Big Sky area by viewing this webcam, hosted by our friends at Montana Whitewater.
Click to enlarge
Flows
USGS CFS Data is not available for this date.
Rainbow Warrior Jig
BWO Sparkle Dun
Sparkle Minnow
Purple Psycho Prince
Montana fly fishing trips on the Gallatin River with the team at Fins and Feathers Guide Service focus on the lower stretches. Floating the lower Gallatin River offers access to blue-ribbon trout waters that receive much less angling pressure than the upper river. Hazardous obstructions in the river are constantly shifting, making floating here more challenging than other rivers near Bozeman.
Trophy Rainbow and Brown Trout are here for the experienced angler willing to streamer fly fish during early summer days. Novice anglers quickly improve their skills as our guides patiently coach them through the intricacies of reading water and fishing near structures on this wild stretch of river.
- $695 for 1 or 2 Anglers Per Guide
- Float Trips With Wading Opportunities
- Use of All Fishing Equipment Is Included
- Single And Multi-Day Trip Bookings Available
- Meet In Bozeman, Four-Corners, Belgrade, or Manhattan
- Book Online or Contact Us To Learn More
Gallatin River Fishing
The Gallatin River starts small in YNP and becomes a medium-sized western river below Big Sky, Montana. It flows through Gallatin Canyon with swift pockets and fast runs. The river is known for its clean, cold water and offers over 75 miles of blue-ribbon trout water accessible at turnouts along HWY 191 and throughout the Gallatin Valley. The Gallatin River joins the Jefferson and Madison Rivers to form the Missouri River near Three Forks, Montana.
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.