Gallatin River Fishing Report
Current Conditions:
With the cooler weather the water has cooled drastically. Nymphing is the producer now. Stoneflies are a major player from now thru into June, trailed with a baetis. Fish are starting to find their winter holds in the deep runs and slower seams. The browns are just now starting the spawn on the Gallatin. Both the Valley and the Canyon stretch are good options right now, but if you are after larger brown trout, spend a little more time in the valley. With very little fishing pressure this time of year, you can find good numbers of fish stacked in the deeper buckets in the canyon. Use lighter tippet and smaller flies as the water is low and clear right now. A sensitive strike indicator such as a smaller air-lock or yarn style indicator will help you detect the slower takes of the winter season. Experiment with depth and weight, as the fish will not move nearly as much in the winter for your fly as they will in the summer.
The Month Ahead:
Up in the canyon section time your fishing around mid-day as the canyon doesn’t see much sun. Around Big Sky a number of spring keep things ice free for the most part. Above Big Sky will start to freeze over as the temps continue to drop.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
Even though the Gallatin drains some high elevation areas and is a natural freestone it can be a good winter fishery in select spots. Above Big Sky will freeze over making it unfishable. Around Big Sky a few springs open things up and keep fish concentrated. Throughout the canyon and down into the valley the deep slow runs will have fish stacked into them.
