Known as one of the best wade fishing rivers in Montana, the Gallatin River is the closest larger river to Bozeman. It begins in Yellowstone National Park then winds its way through the Gallatin Canyon all the way to Three Forks where it meets up with the Jefferson and Madison rivers to form the Missouri River.
The Gallatin has been fishing great recently with the drop in flows and there are salmon flies out! We have all been hearing good reports of fish being caught everywhere from above the taylor's fork near the park boundary to about the valley here in Bozeman so the whole river is in play right now! Fishing with dry dropper rigs have been the most consistent way to put fish in the net as of late and it is pretty tough to beat a chubby up top to a rubberlegs or a blowtorch. For dry flies we recommend fishing those chubbies, caddis, and salmon flies. Streamer fishing with heavy flies can be a really good way to put fish in the net too especially with sculpin patterns or smaller baitfish.
Adams (16-22), Purple Haze (16-20), Buzzball (16-18), Elk Hair Caddis Tan/ Olive(12-18), Film critic BWO, Stubby Chubby Purple, Cinnamon, Yellow, Tan (16-18)
Wooly Bugger Olive, Black (6-12), Fish Whacker Olive/white or Brown/yellow (6) Sculpzilla Tan,Black,Olive (4-8), GD P/Jig Streamer White/ Olive/Black (10), Micro Dungeon Yellow (10), Mini Dungeon Olive/ Purple/ Natural/ White (6)
Prince Nymph (10-18), Perdigon (14-18), Pat’s Rubber Legs (8-12), Hare’s Ear (16-20), Blowtorch (12-18), Zebra Midge Black/ Red/ Purple (16-22), Sweetmeat Caddis Tanger/Lime (14-16), Sizzlin' Hot Squirrel (12-16)
