Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime: July 1 - August 1; Runoff: May 1 - June 15)

Gallatin River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

68

Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Tip of the Week

Fish bigger and darker flies with the water being off color. Fish have been consistently looking up for dry flies. Smaller attractors throughout the river. Ants and hoppers too. Watch the water temperatures in the afternoons and avoid fishing when the water exceeds 68 degrees.

Directions open in app

Map of Gallatin River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Firehole Ranch
Madison Valley Ranch
Fins & Feathers
Long Outfitting

5-Day Outlook as of 7/28/26

The river did come up a bit with all the rain. It is clearing and but still dirty and fishing has been OK. The warm weather is back and continues for the foreseeable future.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/28/26

A hopper or attractor dry fly with a perdigon dropper will be a great option. A single dry fly can also catch a bunch of fish. Fish have been looking up here and there to PMD's, Caddis, Sallies, and Salmonflies.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime: July 1 - August 1; Runoff: May 1 - June 15)

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

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    Rocky Mountian Whitefish

Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Stonefly Peacock 12
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig Olive 16
Bubba's NBK Sculpin Natural 8-10
Bead Head Prince Black 12
Pat's Rubberleg Brown 10-14
PMD Comparadun Peacock 16
Bead Head Stonefly Brown 10
La Fontaine Sparkle Pupa Orange 6
Lite Brite Perdigon Purple 14

Bead Head Stonefly

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Yellow Dog Flyfishing's Recommended Gear

Description: About Gallatin River

The Gallatin River is a classic western freestone river. It begins its journey in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, flows through the scenic Gallatin Canyon passing the town of Big Sky, and eventually into the Gallatin Valley where it meets the Madison and Jefferson Rivers to form the Missouri. The Gallatin is characterized by its beautiful surroundings, easy access for wade fishing and abundance of rainbow trout, brown trout, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The Gallatin offers year-round fishing opportunities and anglers can be successful with dries, nymphs, or streamers.

Nearest Airport:

Gallatin Field Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana

Hatches:

Ants, Hoppers, Caddis, Little Yellow Sallies, nocturnal stones

Best Time to Fish:

Mid Day

Best Stretch:

Canyon

Best Access:

Any of the turnouts throughout the Canyon.