Gallatin River Fishing Report

Gallatin River Fishing Report

3/12/2025

Be sure you've purchased your 2025 fishing license before heading out on the water! You can get a new license here.

We got our taste of wonderful, warm, spring weather the past couple weeks. Forecasts for the next few days are showing that it is back to winter weather! While we have some snow in our future, daily temps won't be too cold to get out and spend some time on the river.

On the Gallatin River here in Big Sky, flows are remaining pretty constant for the most part and the river is still very clear. It has a slight green tint to it from the little bit of runoff we have been seeing during the warmer afternoons. These are truly some of the best conditions to be hitting the Gallatin. Water is low, you don't have to try very hard to figure out where the fish are, and boy are those trout hungry!

Start your day out with the tried and true nymph rig, a rubber legs and a midge. If you're feeling adventurous, swap that rubber legs out for a worm. Typically, that first rig you start the day with will work for your whole trip out on the water, if it doesn't try changing the depth of your rig more frequently before changing flies. Rubber legs, worms, and leeches are going to be flies that you will want to have on at most times and pairing them with a midge nymph/emerger or small mayfly nymph/emerger will treat you well.

We are really close to seeing some Baetis hatches, water temps are just starting to break 40 degrees. Heading lower down on the Gallatin closer to Bozeman will likely get you into some Baetis hatches. Pack a few Parachute Adams in small sizes, and be sure to have plenty of small pheasant tail nymphs with you wherever you decide to wet a line.

Unsure of what you should be using on the river today? Check out our pattern suggestions below or swing by our shop in Big Sky for some advice!

Dries:  Griffith Gnat #18-20, Cluster Peacock Quigley #16-20, Skittering Zelon Midge #20, Cluster Midge #14-20, 401K Baetis #16-18, Brooks Sprout Baetis #18-20, Parachute Adams #16-20

Nymphs:Pat's Rubberlegs (black, coffee, brown) #8-12, Rootbeer Midge #18-20, Miracle Midge (red) #18-20, Jig Crossfit Zebra Midge (red, black) #18-20, Delektable Lil Spanker (Red, Pheasant Tail, Olive) #18-20, Green Mo (Black) #16-20, Radiation Baetis (Pink, Copper/Orange, Peacock), Two Bit Hooker (Red, Black) #16-18

Streamers:  Boogieman (Yellow, White) #4, McClure's Mini Kill Whitey (White) #4, Home Invader (Yellow) #2, Wooly Bugger (olive, black)#10, Coffey's Sparkle Minnow (Sculpin, Black Light) #8, Barely Legals (olive, black), Beldar Bugger (black) #8

Our Fly Fishing Guide School  has helped lots of anglers achieve their dream of being a fishing guide. With schools throughout the spring and fall, there is likely a week of fishing that will fit your schedule.  Check out our Montana Fishing Guide School to become a more rounded fisherperson or to jump-start your career in this amazing industry. 

Even the NY Times has caught wind of the growth of women in the fly fishing industry. Gain the skills to fish confidently on your own in our Montana Women’s Fly Fishing School. 

Updated reports for the Gallatin River coming to you from our backyard in beautiful Big Sky, Montana. We know this river like the back of our hands.