September 11, 2023 Gallatin River Fishing Report
Date: 09/11/2023
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The river has finally cleared up once again! We had some decent reports of good fishing with attractor patterns like Spruce Moths, Humpies, and small Hopper patterns from over the weekend in the Gallatin Canyon. This is the time of the year to start thinking about going lighter with your tippet and using smaller droppers than just a few weeks ago when using dry/dropper rigs. Clearing water and low flows always cause the fish to get a bit more shy this time of year. We really like covering the water, mid-day, with a Purple Para Wulff or Purple Haze in size 16 this time of the year for subtle rises. Small jig-style nymphs in dark colors are a great way to go when dropped a few feet below a small Chubby Chernobyl or hopper pattern - rather than a traditional indicator-style nymph rig.
You can get an idea of the water conditions in the Big Sky area by viewing this webcam, hosted by our friends at Montana Whitewater
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tan Fat Head Moth
Purple Haze
Butano Lite Brite Perdigon
Gallatin River Fishing
The Gallatin River starts small in YNP and becomes a medium-sized western river below Big Sky, Montana. It flows through Gallatin Canyon with swift pockets and fast runs. The river is known for its clean, cold water and offers over 75 miles of blue-ribbon trout water accessible at turnouts along HWY 191 and throughout the Gallatin Valley. The Gallatin River joins the Jefferson and Madison Rivers to form the Missouri River near Three Forks, Montana.
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.
