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 well and should continue to fish well as we warm up in the coming days. Water may be a little bit off-color but fishing has been good with larger stoneflies like Pats Rubber Legs, Deep Cleaners, and TJ Hookers. Worms, mop flies, and egg patterns will all make good point flies right now too. Follow those flies up with little perdigons, RS2's or a small prince nymph. Also as we move into spring, there will be more bug activity sub surface and on the surface. For now on the surface it will remain mostly midges so don't leave that dry fly rod at home, especially on low wind overcast days. Fishing with larger mayfly nymphs like a hares ear or Pheasant Tails in the 10-14 range as a point fly can be very productive. Caddis Pupa patterns can also work very well this time of year, the Sweetmeat caddis has been a shop favorite as of late.
Adams (16-22), Purple Haze (16-20), Sparkle Dun (16-22), Griffiths Gnat (16-20), Buzzball (16-18), Stubby Chubby Purple, Cinnamon, Yellow, Tan (16-18)
Wooly Bugger Olive, Black (6-12), Sculpzilla Tan,Black,Olive (4-8), GD P/Jig Streamer (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), Black Blowtorch (12-18), Juju Baetis (18-20), Zebra Midge Black/ Red/ Purple (16-22), Worms, Eggs, Mops
