Gallatin River Fishing Report
Date: 11/21/2024
Posted by: Toby Swank
There is a little "weather window" through this coming Saturday, bringing favorable conditons for a few hours of fly fishing the Gallatin River right now.
This is nymphing season now - there may be some sporadic dry fly sessions here and there with midges and blue-winged olives - but the next few months are the time of year for anglers fishing the Gallatin River to hone their nymph fishing skills.
Fishing the upper Gallatin Canyon section has been productive with tandem nymph rigs, fished about 5' under a strike indicator. Small golden stone nymphs in sizes 12-14 followed by a size 16-18 perdigon-style fly as the dropper - we like dark colored nymphs this time of year.
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
345 CFS
On 2024-11-21
Poxyback Golden Microstone
Golden Super Stone
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Black and Red Spanish Perdigon
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.