Gallatin River Fishing Report

Gallatin River Fishing Report

04/26/2024

Our beloved rainbow trout are spawning this time of year. That means if you see fish in shallow water on polished gravel DO NOT fish to them, walk in the water near them, or wade below the polished gravel as that is where the most eggs are. They are trying to keep our fish populations healthy and we need to do our part and leave them alone this time of year.

It is officially springtime here in Big Sky. Water levels are starting to creep up and this week might be the early beginnings of this years runoff season. This weekend the rain will probably bring flows up a bit higher and make that water hold a lot of color. The water is still getting pretty warm in the afternoons and we are seeing good Blue Winged Olive hatches up here in Big Sky.

Blue Winged Olives have been hatching consistently. There is not a consistent caddis hatch happening yet in Big Sky or canyon stretches of the Gallatin but if you head further downriver in the direction of Three Forks there will be Caddis hatching and even some Skwala.

As usual, our go to method for getting numbers of fish to hand is with a nymph rig. The spring is a great time to be on the water as the fish start to wake up with warmer weather and are happy to eat a fly. We are finding fish in a variety of water but primarily focus on fishing the edges. As the water starts to rise during runoff and lose clarity, fish begin to hangout very close to the banks and usually are not feeding very deep in the water column. Starting with a large dark colored nymph like a rubber legs paired with a worm or mayfly nymph that is pretty shallow under an indicator is a good place to start and fish it from right next to the bank all the way out into the middle before you make your rig deeper. Focus on fishing water that is flowing relatively slow and has structure for the fish to relax around and you will find the most shots at fish in these areas.

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: Para-Sipper BWO #18-22, 401k Baetis Pederson #16-18, Hi-Vis Spinner BWO #16-20, Parachute Adams (Sparkle, Purple, Patriot) #16-18, Purple Haze #16-18, Buzzball #18-20, Griffith's Gnat #18-22

Nymphs: Radiation Baetis (Pink, Copper/Orange, Peacock), Two Bit Hooker (Red, Black) #16-18, Pat's Rubberlegs (black, coffee, brown) #8-12, Crossfit Midge (black, red) #18-20, Delektable Lil Spanker(PT, green, silver) #14-18, San Juan Worm(red, orange) #10, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #12-16, Duracell Jig (black, brown) #14-16, Delektable Lil Spanker (Red, Pheasant Tail, Olive) #18-20, Green Mo (Black) #16-20

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.