The Gallatin River is fishing well and continues to be one of the better options around Bozeman. The canyon has been the most consistent stretch, with plenty of fish looking up throughout the day. The lower river remains under hoot owl restrictions from Cameron Bridge to the Missouri River, so anglers fishing below the canyon need to be off the water by 2 p.m.
Dry fly fishing has been good. Chubby chernobyls, stimulators, and spruce moths are all producing fish, with the evening caddis hatch providing some of the best surface action of the day. If fish stop eating on top, a small olive or black perdigon below the dry has been enough to keep the action going.
The Gallatin is in great shape for August. If walk-and-wade fishing is the goal, it's hard to beat right now.
Addtional Gallatin River Fly Fishing Resources:
- Bozeman Fly Fishing Report | August 2026 Montana Conditions
View stream flow graph on USGS
Royal Chubby Chernobyl
Yellow Sally Stimi
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
X caddis
Pheasant Tail
Purple Psycho Prince
Brown 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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