Gallatin River Fishing in June

Gallatin River Fly Fishing in June

In the Rockies, June brings warming temperatures and snowmelt. The Gallatin River, due to its glacial origins, swells with sediment-rich whitewater, making it unfishable through the early weeks of June.

While mildly annoying to anglers, this annual flush is crucial for ecological health of the river. High water redistributes nutrients throughout the system and scours silt from the substrate, boosting trout and insect populations.

Salmonflies start to emerge as the water begins to drop and clear, sometime in late June, signifying the official start of the summer fly fishing season on the Gallatin.

Gallatin River Fly Fishing Hatches in June

Salmonflies, golden stones, green drakes, caddis, yellow sallies, and pale morning duns (PMDs) start to show up in late June. The river remains high but starts to drop and clear as the month progresses.

Anglers fishing during the salmonfly hatch can expect sporadic success between Gallatin Canyon and Big Sky, depending on water conditions.

Fly Fishing Techniques for June on the Gallatin River

In June, experienced anglers can still find fish in the river's side channels, braids, back eddies, and slower corners.

Fish heavy stonefly and San Juan Worm nymphs tight to the bank when the water is still high but clearing.

Drifting big dries along the bank can produce explosive strikes from large brown and rainbow Trout once the salmonflies start to emerge in late June.

Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Pro-Tip:

In late June, fishing on the Gallatin River can be excellent in the canyon near Big Sky, MT. When the color of the river reaches a gin-green, we like to fish a size 6 Henry's Fork Salmonfly with a darker colored nymph pattern, like a Prince Nymph, on a 4-foot dropper, tight to the banks.

Gallatin River Fly Box for June