Gallatin River Fly Fishing in July
As summer comes to Montana, the river's water level gradually drops and clears through July, offering great fishing on the Gallatin. From the meandering stretches in the Gallatin Valley to the meadows and woodlands in Yellowstone National Park, the river consistently offers great fishing throughout July.
The Gallatin Canyon and the river stretch upstream of Big Sky are a wading angler's paradise as water levels drop in early July.
Logjams and debris fill the river's braids in the Gallatin Valley during the runoff, so caution is advised to the floating anglers below Manhattan until flows drop below 1000 CFS.
Gallatin River Fly Fishing Hatches in July
Stoneflies—including salmonflies, golden stones, and yellow sallies—kick off the season in June and remain present into July. Various caddis and mayflies hatch throughout the river in July. Evening PMD spinner falls bring trout to the surface in the canyon and Big Sky stretches.
Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Pro-Tip:
Prolific and varied hatches cover the Gallatin River's surface throughout July, making for exciting angling with tandem dry fly setups. Tie a large dry fly, like a size 12 purple Chubby Chernobyl, to the end of a 9-foot 3X leader. Then tie 3 to 4 feet of tippet to the bend of that fly followed by a size 16 PMD cripple or Elk Hair Caddis. Focus on current seams and the soft water behind large boulders.
Dry fly fishing can be excellent on the Gallatin River in July and August. Watch for rising fish and focus on drag-free presentations. Fish attractor dries and dry/dropper rigs during the middle of the day when hatches are minimal in the middle and upper stretches. The lower river starts to fish well with nymphs and streamers by mid-July.
July Fly Fishing Techniques for the Gallatin River
The Gallatin River fishing is excellent with dry flies, especially in July and August. Watch for rising fish and focus on proper presentation. Fish attractor dries and dry/dropper rigs during the middle of the day when hatches are minimal in the middle and upper stretches. The lower river starts to fish well with nymphs and streamers by mid-July.
Gallatin River Fly Box for July
Gallatin River Fly Fishing Trips in July
As the water drops, anglers flock to the Gallatin River for its proximity to Bozeman and abundant, public access. Avoiding crowds is one of our guides’ highest priorities, so we rely on floating the Gallatin River during the summer.
Our 23+ years of experience as a Montana fly fishing outfitter can be relied on to avoid crowds on the Gallatin. The experienced angler will appreciate our guides’ willingness to start early and ensure that we are among the first anglers to the water, also beating the summer heat.
July is the busiest month of our season and preferred dates fill up quickly. Secure your Gallatin River fishing day trip and travel plans early. Contact Fins and Feathers Guide Service in Bozeman for help with putting your Montana fly fishing tour together. Reserve your dates online, via e-mail, or by calling us at 1-406-468-5019.