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Gallatin River Fishing Report

Date: 08/22/2025
Posted by: Toby Swank

Current Conditions

The Gallatin River is in great shape right now and continues to fish well. Cool mornings and clear flows are keeping trout active, and we have been seeing plenty of opportunities from the canyon down through the valley in the mornings. Up high, spruce moths are still fluttering around and offering some fun surface eats, while caddis and terrestrials are bringing fish up in the mornings and evenings.

Dry-dropper rigs have been the ticket in the canyon, with a chubby or small foam attractor on top paired with a nymph like a blowtorch, Spanish Bullet, or purple lite brite underneath. For those who enjoy throwing streamers, early and late in the day has been best, with small buggers or mini dungeons in olive and white.

Down lower in the valley, hopper-dropper rigs continue to shine, and a pats rubberleg trailed behind a hopper can be deadly. Trout are holding in softer pocket water. Keep in mind that hoot-owl restrictions are in effect from Amsterdam Road to the Missouri confluence, so plan on wrapping up by 2:00 PM if fishing lower in the valley. Overall, the Gallatin is fishing consistently, and with the right mix of hoppers, moths, and droppers, it’s a great time to be on the water.

Stream Flows

Gallatin River Fishing Report Streamflow

Flows

Recommended Flies

				  Spruce Almighty Cream

Spruce Moth Almighty

				  Chubby Chernobyl Pteronarcys

Chubby Chernobyl Pteronarcys

				  Blowtorch UV Purple

Purple Blowtorch

				  Use a Pats' Rubberleg for Madison River fishing in high-water.

Black Pat's Rubberleg

				  Tan Spanish Bullet

Spanish Bullet Tan

				  Chubby chernobyl royal

Royal Chubby Chernobyl

				  Fat Head Moth Potter Tan

Tan Fat Head Moth

				  Purple lite brite perdigon nymph

Purple Lite Brite Perdigon

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...

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Gallatin River Fly Fishing Area Map



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