The Gallatin River has been fishing solid with the colder weather we've been getting. Water conditions have been good, and anglers are finding fish throughout the canyon and lower stretches. Unlike some of our other rivers, there isn't much need to wait until late morning to get started.
Nymphing has been the most consistent approach. Pat's rubberlegs, zebra midges, pheasant tails, and smaller perdigons are all good options. A larger stonefly nymph followed by a smaller baetis imitation is a good setup. Fish are holding in some of the deeper water, but don't overlook the pocket water, especially around larger boulders.
There are still some blue-winged olives coming off during the afternoons, particularly on cloudy days. Small BWO patterns in sizes 16-18 are worth carrying if fish start rising. Streamers are another good option around deeper pools and along the banks.
Addtional Gallatin River Fly Fishing Resources:
- Fly Fishing Bozeman in November
View stream flow graph on USGS
Black Pat's Rubberleg
Brown Pat's Rubberleg
Purple Lite Brite Perdigon
Black and Red Spanish Perdigon
Pheasant Tail
Rainbow Spanish Bullet
Olive Double Gonga
Olive Mini Peanut Envy
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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