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Rivers & Streams

Gallatin River Fishing Guide

Montana

A fast, scenic freestone through Gallatin Canyon near Bozeman and Big Sky.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Gallatin River for rainbow trout and brown trout. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov. In October, rainbow trout and brown trout are in season, and Parachute Adams, Blue-Winged Olive and Pheasant Tail Nymph are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 60 miles (6 fly, 6 bait and tackle); the closest is Yellow Dog Flyfishing in Bozeman, 14 mi away. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Madison River is 29 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

In October

Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout

Methods

Fly fishing

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Gallatin River Species

Rainbow Trout

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov

Brown Trout

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

9 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Parachute Adams #12-20

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

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  • Blue-Winged Olive #16-22

    Fly

    Dry Fly · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

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  • Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-20

    Fly

    Nymph · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

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  • Woolly Bugger #2-10

    Fly

    Streamer · Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

    Shop This Fly

  • Hare's Ear Nymph #12-18

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout

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  • San Juan Worm #10-14

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout · After rain.

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  • Egg Pattern #8-16

    Fly

    Nymph · Rainbow Trout

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  • Sculpin Streamer #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Brown Trout · Low light and fall.

    Shop This Fly

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Rainbow Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.

Brown Trout

Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.

Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Gallatin River

Fly Rods

Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod

A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit

A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.

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Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

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Fly Lines

RIO Gold Fly Line

A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.

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Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line

A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet

Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Tapered Trout Leaders

Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

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Within 60 Miles

Shops Near Gallatin River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Montana · 29 mi

Madison River

Fifty-mile riffle famous for salmonfly hatches and wild browns and rainbows below Hebgen and Quake Lakes.

Brown trout · Rainbow trout · Mountain whitefish

Rivers & Streams · Montana · 34 mi

Yellowstone River

Longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. Paradise Valley floats, big dries, and native cutthroat upstream.

Yellowstone cutthroat · Brown trout · Rainbow trout

Rivers & Streams · Montana · 70 mi

Beaverhead River

A narrow, brushy tailwater below Clark Canyon Dam known for large trout.

Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout

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Henry's Fork of the Snake

Technical spring-fed water at Railroad Ranch. Selective rainbows and some of the best hatches in the West.

Rainbow trout · Brown trout

Rivers & Streams · Montana · 75 mi

Big Hole River

A freestone river in southwest Montana with a famous salmonfly hatch and native Arctic grayling.

Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout