GALLATIN RIVER
For many anglers who are visiting the West for the first time, the Gallatin River typifies their idea of western rivers. This is especially true if they view the river for the first time in the canyon stretch along US 191. The Gallatin River in this section is a brawling, moderate size, freestone, mountain stream. From its headwaters in Yellowstone National Park to where it joins with the Madison and Jefferson Rivers at Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, Montana to form the mighty Missouri River, the Gallatin is 105 miles in length. Much of the river is easily accessible to anglers as US 191 runs right along the river over much of its course.
The Gallatin originates in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. Both the character of the river and the fishing change so much throughout its length, it is best to break the river down into four sections to better understand it.
IN THE PARK
In Yellowstone Park the Gallatin is a small, friendly stream that is easy to fish as it meanders through the high open meadows. The stream is a classic combination of riffles, pools and flats, with many undercut banks. There are good populations of trout in this water, with rainbows, browns and cutthroats. The trout average 9 to 12 inches, however trout from 12 to 16 inches can be taken and even a few up to 20 inches. Run‑off starts in May and this section of the Gallatin is usually fishable by mid-June. During late June and throughout July, there is a good diversity of insects on the Gallatin, including stoneflies, caddisflies and mayflies. During August there are good terrestrial insect populations. The hatches are generally sparse in nature and this keeps the trout from becoming too selective. This section of the Gallatin receives very little fishing pressure as many anglers think that the trout are small and sparse, but this is not the case. Next time you want some small stream fishing that is uncrowded and fun, give the Gallatin River inside Yellowstone National Park a try. Remember to stop and get your Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit before fishing the waters in the Park. Check the opening dates for fishing in the Park. Generally the season runs from Memorial Day weekend in May to the first Sunday in November.
PARK BOUNDARY TO BIG SKY
Just after leaving the Park, Taylor's Fork enters the Gallatin. During thunderstorms in the summer, the Taylor's Fork can dump silt in the river causing it to be unfishable for a day or two. Here the river starts to change and become larger and more open with fewer undercut banks. The water in this stretch is easy to read and is never more than 300 yards from the road. The hatches are good in this section and the trout are numerous and willing. However this section receives very little pressure. In this section you can still take a decent trout now and then, but they average 9 to 12 inches for the most part.
BIG SKY TO GALLATIN GATEWAY
Below Big Sky Resort the West Fork enters and the Gallatin starts to become a larger and more intimidating river and can be a little spookier to wade. However, this also brings change to the river and the angler can start to encounter long, deep pools, heavy riffles, and plunging runs, with same fair sized boulders. The canyon section from Big Sky down to Gallatin Gateway is about 22 miles in length and the river goes through a substantial elevation drops creating some water that the angler must share with kayakers. This section of the river is intimidating and many anglers not familiar with the river will pass up this section for water that is slower and more manageable. This is my favorite section to fish the salmon fly hatch during late June and early July. This section of river also holds some of the biggest trout in the Gallatin. Every year a few four pound plus fish are taken and I have heard of trout up to twelve pounds being caught here. However, as a general rule the trout will average 10 to 13 inches in this section. From Big Sky downstream, the river is open to fishing all year and during the winter, weather permitting, the nymphing on this section of river can be a lot of fun.
GALLATIN GATEWAY TO HEADWATERS
After the river comes out of the canyon it starts to slow down as it meanders its way through the Gallatin Valley. The access to this section of stream is still pretty good. Just above Nixon Bridge the East Gallatin enters the Gallatin. During low water years the Gallatin between Gallatin Gateway and Headwaters can be de‑watered quite heavily! In this section the river once again changes as it becomes a small river with runs, riffles, pools, flats and undercut banks. There are a few areas in this section of river that will float your hat if you become too bold in your wading. During August this is an excellent section for terrestrials and during September and October there are some excellent hatches of midges and blue winged olives. This section has many braided channels with good populations of brown trout ranging from 10 to 18 inches and rainbows ranging from 10 to 14 inches. From Gallatin Forks (Nixon Bridge) downstream you float the lower Gallatin down to Headwaters.
FISHING ALONG THE GALLATIN
Compared to rivers like the Yellowstone, Madison or Missouri, the Gallatin offers the angler easy and relaxing fishing from a technical standpoint. The river is fairly easy to read and seldom does the angler have to match the hatch. During the summer this is one of my favorite streams to spend a day on fishing dry flies. After a few days matching the hatch and challenging the tougher waters of the area, the angler will find a day spent along the Gallatin most relaxing and enjoyable. However, don't relax too much. One should exercise a little caution while wading. Due to its current speed, gradient and the fact that the bottom is somewhat slippery, the careless angler can take a spill. Which, if nothing more, is bad for the ego!
Enjoy & Good Fishin'