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 one of the better options as of late. 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 Axtell bridge fishing access! 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, orange head Mary's, red copper john, bearded baetis, jigster baetis, green machine's, WD40's, frenchdipity, and the sz 16-18 too hot baetis. For dry flies we recommend fishing smaller stuff closer to bwo's and psudeo's. Some great options are the sz 18-22 parachute Adams/purple haze's, film critic bwo, and the smoke jumper baetis or buzzball. Streamer fishing has been great out there too, especially with flashier flies like the Montana intruder, mini Mt intruder, sparkle minnow, short-shank redemption, woolly bugger, ditch witch, baby gonga, and gdp jigs!
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)
