Montana Fly Fishing Trips: Gallatin River

Dreaming of fly fishing trips? Fishing rainbows, fishing browns and cutthroats, all in pristine river waters and breathtaking surroundings? Save this dream for something else, because the fly fishing paradise exists.

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT

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 the fishing scenes.

Originating at 10,000 feet in the northwest corner of Yellowstone, the Gallatin River starts off as a babblingly friendly riverlet. It quickly gains speed and grows as it gains speed, from Yellowstone through the beautiful Gallatin Canyon, joining the Madison and Jefferson Rivers and finally emptying into the Missouri River near Three Forks.

PRIME TIME FISHING: JUNE - SEPTEMBER
MID-SEASON: JUNE JULY

FLY FISHING PARADISE

In the Gallatin River, the salmonfly hatch from June to July because the waters have warmed and cleared. 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.

And fly fishing paradise continues until late August with a variety of Caddis hatches.

LATE SEASON: AUGUST OCTOBER
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 backcountry 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. Autumn takes out her palette and colors the trees, bushes and shrubs providing idyll Gallatin River settings for all fly fishermen.

WINTER: FEBRUARY APRIL
FLY FISHING EVEN IN WINTER!

Winter in Montana and there's still fly fishing on the Gallatin River! Brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout are friendly and willing, as well as Mountain Whitefish. With temperatures around 40 degrees and rising, midge fishing has begun also.

EARLY SEASON: APRIL JUNE
LAND A SURFACE-FEEDING TROUT

Fishing conditions can vary enormously at this time. However, if the air temperature warms enough then midge hatches proliferate, and fishing becomes rewarding. Land a surface-feeding trout and the fly fisherman's dream year has commenced.

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.