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Gallatin River Fishing Report

Date: 09/21/2026
Posted by: Toby Swank

Current Conditions

The Gallatin River has been fishing well from the canyon down through the valley. Late morning into the afternoon has been the best window to be out there.

Baetis are starting to become more noticeable, especially with cloud cover. Purple hazes, parachute adams, and smaller mayfly dries are getting fish to look up. When nothing is happening on top, small olive perdigons, pheasant tails, and zebra midges have been getting it done.

Streamer fishing has been steady on the lower river. Rusty trombones, baby gongas, and smaller sculpin patterns in olive or black are good choices. Focus more attention on the deeper runs as the water continues to cool.

Addtional Gallatin River Fly Fishing Resources:

September Fishing

Stream Flows

View stream flow graph on USGS

Recommended Flies

				  Tan Morrish Hopper dry fly

Tan Morrish Hopper

				  Chubby chernobyl royal

Royal Chubby Chernobyl

				  Rainbow spanish bullet

Rainbow Spanish Bullet

				  Fly fish Montana's Caddis hatch early season on the Madison River.

X caddis

				  Flashback Pheasant Tail TNG G Bd PT

Pheasant Tail

				  Pats rubberleg bronw

Brown Pat's Rubberleg

				  Purple lite brite perdigon nymph

Purple Lite Brite Perdigon

				  Spruce Almighty Cream

Spruce Moth Almighty

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


Montana River Shuttles

Post Date: 03/29/2025

River shuttle services are an integral part of the Montana fly fishing scene as floating these legendary western rivers is the standard way to fish and experience them. Be sure...

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Montana Fly Fishing Trip Photo Galleries

Post Date: 03/29/2025

Get a glimpse into a day of guided fly fishing in Montana from the viewpoint of the guides and guests with Bozeman fly fishing outfitter, Fins and Feathers Guide Service...

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Gallatin River Guided Fly Fishing Trips

Post Date: 03/29/2025

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...

Learn More

Gallatin River Fly Fishing Area Map



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