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 river has been fishing great recently and should continue to fish great until we see runoff start. We have all been hearing good reports of fish being caught everywhere from above Big Sky to the manhattan area so there is a lot of good fisbable water at the moment. Fishing with nymph rigs has been the most consistent way to put fish in the net as of late. Some of our favorites this time of year are the Pat's rubberlegs/girdle bug, eggs, copper johns, bearded baetis, jigster baetis, green machine's, WD40's, Idaho stanks, and the too hot baetis. Nymphing has been best with deep nymph rigs recently with a lot of fish being caught within the bottom foot of the water column. Streamer fishing has been great out there too, especially with flashier flies like the sir sticks a lot, kreelex, sparkle minnow, swim coach, mini dragon, swing king, and sculpzillas! Dry fly fishing can be hit or miss but if you see fish rising they are most likely eating midges this time of year and flies like the buzzball, griffith's gnat, and renegade are great midge cluster or emerging midge imitations. If they are being really tricky and not eating the buzzball or gnat, try putting a WD40 or a rs2 behind your dry fly by 12" or so and see if that does the trick.
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)
