Gallatin
River : Fly Fishing.gif)
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Gallatin River : Big Sky to Spanish Creek Bridge
 This
stretch of Gallatin River roars through a steep canyon, with
heavily forested hillsides and large rock outcroppings. The
river has extensive whitewater in this section and can often
be quite narrow as it threads its way down the canyon. This
section of the Gallatin River is popular among whitewater
enthusiasts, particularly those in hard shell kayaks and whitewater
canoes.
Wading on this
stretch of the river can prove to be difficult. The current
is fast and slippery rocks await the unsuspecting fisherman.
A good pair of wading shoes is required on this stretch, and
a wading staff may also not be a bad idea.
Since the water
moves so quickly through this canyon stretch, fishing is also
more difficult. Constant line mending is required to prevent
dragging the fly. The wooded banks and the narrow width of
the river can combine to make casting difficult at times.
Fishing this stretch
of the Gallatin is essentially the same as between Taylor
Creek and Big Sky. Standard dry flies and attractor patterns
work well, in addition to the Spruce Moth come late summer.
However, since the river moves so quickly, fishing this section
involves fishing the pocket water, tossing the flies into
the calmer pockets of the river.
Gallatin River
: Spanish
Creek Bridge to Three Forks
The Gallatin River
emerges from the canyon just above its confluence with a small
feeder stream, Spanish Creek. From Spanish Creek downstream,
the Gallatin River runs through a broad canyon, in the vicinity
of Bozeman. The scenery is beautiful and the fishing pressure
is comparatively light as access becomes more difficult. After
emerging from the canyon, the Gallatin River primarily flows
through private property for the rest of its length down to
Three Forks. The forested riverbanks found upstream give way
to a mix of cottonwood tress, low brush, grass and agricultural
land along the river for the rest of its length.
 This
section of the river has significantly slower currents than
found upstream. It also has broad runs, some undercut banks
and occasional pools. The valley the river flows through also
is agricultural in nature, becoming more arid as the river
progresses downstream. The largest trout on the Gallatin River
will be found in this stretch.
The Gallatin River
on this stretch can be severely dewatered in places, particularly
between Shedds Bridge Access Site and Gallatin Forks Access
Site (where the East Fork Gallatin River empties into the
Gallatin River). As a result, the best fishing on this stretch
will be found above Shedds Bridge and below Gallatin Bridge.
The slower flows, low water and warm temperatures wreak havoc
on the trout in between these two access sites, although fish
can still be found.
Float fishing is
not permitted on the Gallatin River in this section except
for the short stretch of river from Gallatin Forks Access
Site to Three Forks. As the current is significantly slower
and not nearly as rocky, wade anglers will have a easier time
fishing along this section than in the canyon stretch just
upstream. Since the Gallatin flows primarily through private
property, access will be gained at the frequent bridge crossings.
As always, the best fishing will be found a short walk up
or downstream from these sites.
 Standard
dry fly patterns, along with hopper imitations beginning in
July, work very well along this stretch of river. In the stretches
that are not severely de-watered, solid caddis hatches occur,
providing solid fishing on flies such as the Elk Hair Caddis
and Parachute Adams. Hoppers should be fished right along
the bank.
Additionally, for
the angler wanting to try their luck with the larger brown
trout that are found along this stretch, large streamers can
also be used, working them along the undercut banks and through
the occasional deep hole.
The lower twelve
miles of the river, between Gallatin Forks Access Site and
Three Forks, has virtually no access. Happily, it's the once
stretch of the Gallatin River that may be floated. The current
is slow, so plan any float trip accordingly.
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