The Gallatin River has bumped in flows again with the warmer weekend weather. Fishing has still been solid but the raise in flows and change in clarity will push fish tighter to the banks again.
Fishing a 9-foot 4x leader with a tandem nymph rig has been the ticket. Brown or black rubberlegs up top followed by a hare’s ear blowtorch, caddis pupa, or smaller perdigon attractor nymph in size 16 has been getting it done. One BB split shot has been enough to get flies down well with the slightly higher flows and faster water.
Streamer fishing has also been worth doing. Fish have been willing to move off the banks for smaller patterns, especially through the canyon water. Smaller black double gangas and olive mini dungeons have both been fishing well.
There have not been many bugs throughout most of the canyon stretch yet, so most of the consistency has still been below the surface. Fishing through the valley sections has been good as well.
Addtional Gallatin River Fly Fishing Resources:
- Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide To May
Brown Pat's Rubberleg
Pheasant Tail
Amber Jiggy Caddis Pupa
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Purple Psycho Prince
Prince Nymph
Black Pat's Rubberleg
Purple Lite Brite Perdigon
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.
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