We will probably see a bump in the East Gallatin River as all the runoff from streets makes it way to this local river. There are better options indeed. Clarity on the East Gallatin River is going to be the driving factor right now and the East Gallatin River near Bozeman is truly day to day right now. If the river is dropping and clearing, it can be a good option, but if it is dropping at all, then better options exist for sure. Nymphing the deeper runs is definitely the ticket. If some hatches of Blue-Winged Olives happen, look for fish rising to them in slower runs either at the tailouts or along the bank.
If you are nymphing, it is best to still target the slower, deeper runs. Once you find a productive run, you can often hook up with multiple fish. Slow stripping streamers can also produce from time to time, especially with a bit of cloud cover. For nymphs, a small San Juan worm trailed by a midge larva is a safe choice, but dead drifting a big sculpin can also turn up some trout. Baetis are just beginning to show up and should provide good fishing on cloudy days.
Visit Our Shop for These Top East Gallatin River Flies Right Now:
Super Pupa in size 12-18
Brown, olive, black, or tan Zurdle in size 8-12
Pat's Rubberlegs in coffee/black in size 6-10
BH Pheasant Tail in size 12-16
Beaded SJ Wormies in size 10
BH Prince in size 12-16
The Month Ahead:
The East should be a decent option for a few weeks before it blows out. It often runs off earlier than other fisheries because of a lower elevation snowpack.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The East will be dirty from mid-May until mid-June. Once the waters clear and drop to wadeable levels the pmd hatch should be productive in the early summer.
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Considering a fly fishing trip to the Bozeman, Montana area? Read one of more recent blog posts: Five of the Best Rivers to Fish Near Bozeman, Montana.