Gallatin River Fly Fishing, Bozeman Montana

FLY FISHING DREAMS
Dreaming of fly fishing trips? Fishing for rainbows and browns in pristine river waters and breathtaking surroundings? Save this dream for something else, because this particular fly fishing paradise exists right now, and it is called the Gallatin River.

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
One of the most prized waters in Montana trout country, the movie "A River Runs Through It" used the Gallatin River as the setting for some of its most exciting fishing scenes.

Originating at 10,000 feet in the northwest corner of Yellowstone, the Gallatin River starts off as a babblingly friendly creek. It quickly gains speed and grows as it gains tributaries inside Yellowstone National Park, then through the beautiful Gallatin Canyon near Big Sky. From there it gains more tributaries and continues north through the farming communities of Gallatin Gateway, Belgrade and Manhattan, Montana until it joins the Madison and Jefferson Rivers (at the Headwaters State Park) to officially create the Missouri River near Three Forks.

PRIME TIME FISHING: MARCH - AUGUST
FLY FISHING PARADISE
In the earlier spring months, anglers watch for blue-winged olive mayflies and numerous caddis hatches in April and May. A mix of abundant hatches now spells heaven for trout, albeit briefly, and a dream come true for fishing enthusiasts. The large and colorful salmonfly, in particular, moves upstream giving dry fly fisherman an experience of sheer paradise with the biggest emergence usually coming through in late-June and early July subject to local water and weather conditions. And fly fishing paradise continues until late August with a variety of Caddis hatches, terrestrial insects (flying ants and hoppers) as well as year-round midge populations. Rainbow and brown trout average 12-17" throughout the system from the Yellowstone Park boundary down to Manhattan with the occasional 18-21" behemoth thrown in for excitement.

LATE SEASON: SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER
FAST AND FURIOUS FLY FISHING
It's a major hatching period now. Hopper season strikes, and trout are in a feeding frenzy as they devour these terrestrials, including swarms of beetles and ants along the banks. Fishing, including back-country fishing and float fishing, is fast and furious.

And it's quieter now too. The crowds have thinned out; it's just you, the fish, and the beautiful river. There's a magic light, peace and solitude that pervades this time of year. Autumn takes out her palette and colors the trees, bushes and shrubs providing ideal Gallatin River settings for all fishermen.

WINTER: DECEMBER-FEBRUARY
FLY FISHING EVEN IN WINTER!
Winter in Montana and there's still fly fishing on the Gallatin River! Brown and rainbow trout are friendly and willing, as well as Mountain Whitefish. Quoting from our resident expert, and employee of this company, "the Gallatin is my favorite stream to fish from November through February - no one is around and the fish are very accommodating". Need we say more!

GREAT FLY FISHING EXPERIENCES ANY TIME OF THE YEAR!
Fishing in Montana on the Gallatin River can be superb any time of the year, although prime time fishing runs from June to September. Fishing in early spring and late autumn - March to May, and October - can still deliver some of the best fly fishing experiences of the year.

And always present is the incredible beauty of Montana trout country.