Gallatin River Fishing Report
Gallatin River Fishing Report
7/3/2023
Summer is in full swing and bugs are everywhere. If there is a bug you can name, it's likely hatching right now. Over the last few weeks we have gotten through run off really quickly, but maintained really favorable water conditions with all of the moisture we've been receiving.
On the Gallatin near Big Sky, Montana, we are seeing Salmonflies, Goldenstones, Yellow sally's, Caddis, PMD's, and even a few Drakes in the right conditions.
This upcoming weekend will should be mostly sunny and warm during the days. This should help the Salmonflies start to move around a little more than they have been the last week or so.
If you're wanting to commit to the Big Bug, just be sure to move. It's going to be a specific fish that wants to eat it, not every fish in the river. The same goes for Yellow sally's and Goldenstones.
It's never a bad idea to try throwing a small caddis or attractor mayfly behind your Salmonfly.
Nymphing all day will still produce the most amount of fish but in all reality, now is the best time to fish dries, so we personally suggest taking advantage of that. Of course, if you're getting an early start, nymphing will start the day out right and the majority of fish won't start looking up until at least 10:30 am.
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: Fluttering Bug #8, Chubby Chernobyl (Purple) #10, Henry's Fork Golden Stone #10, Elk Hair Caddis (Tan) #16, Parachute Adams (Gray) #10
Nymphs:Pat's Rubberlegs (Black, Coffee, Brown, Olive) #8-12, Lightning Bug #14-18, Little Green Machine (Pheasant Tail, Gray) #18, Galloup's Hare's Ear (Olive) #18-20
Streamers: Boogieman (Rootbeer) #4, Galloup's Two Tone Dungeon #4-8, Double Screamer (Olive, Black, Gold) #6, Wooly Bugger (olive, black)#10, Sparring Partner (Black/Purple) #6
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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.


