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Gallatin River Fishing Report

Date: 09/18/2026
Posted by: Toby Swank

Current Conditions

The Gallatin River has been fishing well, and the colder overnight temperatures have opened up the entire river for a full day of fishing again. The canyon is still a safe bet, but the valley has been worth spending time on as well. Wind has been the biggest thing to watch, especially during the afternoon.

Smaller dries are starting to take over. Purple hazes and parachute adams have been getting fish to look up during the early afternoon, especially when the wind gives anglers a break. Nymphing is still there when needed, but there are enough fish eating on top to spend some time with a single dry.

Streamer fishing has picked up too. Rusty trombones, goldies, and baby gongas in olive and black have been moving some nicer fish. Cloud cover has helped, but streamers are worth working through the deeper water even when the sun is out.

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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