Montana Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing the Gallatin River

Gallatin River : Fly Fishing

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Orvis T3 Series Fly Rods

The Gallatin River is not home to many monster trout. For anglers in search of consistently large rainbow or brown trout, go to another nearby river, such as the Yellowstone or Madison. Instead, what the Gallatin River offers is excellent dry fly fishing on a river that receives relatively low fishing pressure in beautiful surroundings. The fish on the Gallatin River are not finicky eaters, either, which makes the Gallatin River an excellent place for learning how to fly fish. Along its upper stretches, the river is not very deep, allowing it to be fully waded from shore to shore. The trout on the river, consisting of both brown and rainbow trout, average around 12 inches, with 16 inches considered a large trout - although some lunkers exceeding 20 inches are found. Grayling and cutthroat trout are also found in the Gallatin River.

Gallatin River : Gallatin Lake to Yellowstone Park

This stretch of the Gallatin runs exclusively in Yellowstone National Park. Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and brown trout can all be found in this stretch of the Gallatin River. While the fish are generally small and average less than twelve inches, fish up to sixteen inches are not uncommon. Additionaly information about this section of the Gallatin River in covered in the Gallatin River in Yellowstone National Park section.

Gallatin River : Yellowstone Park Boundary to Big Sky

This section of the Gallatin River runs extensively through public lands and is closely followed by Highway 191, allowing for excellent access. During most of May and frequently lasting up until early July, the Gallatin River on this stretch runs muddy and murky due to inflows from Taylors Fork, severely limiting fishing. An angler arriving during this time who finds the river in this condition should venture further upstream and fish in Yellowstone National Park. Just don't forget to get your park fishing permit.

Due to the murky water of spring run off, the best fishing on this section is before May and after high water ends, usually by late June or early July.

The banks of the river are heavily forested. Tall, forested mountains loom in the distance, providing for beautiful scenery.

The fishing on this section of the river is similar to that found further upstream. Standard dry fly patterns work very well. Other fly patterns for this stretch of the Gallatin River include the Spruce Moth. These moths make their appearance in July and last through the summer.

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