The Gallatin River has been fishing so well this summer, and it only continues to get better.  As of this morning, the water at Axtell Bridge is off due to the considerable rain the area has received over the past few nights.  If you are heading out today, be sure to take a look above Taylor Fork – our guess is the water will be much clearer and fishable upstream.

Caddis evenings and PMDs midday are still the flies of choice, joined by a few Green Drakes and the early harbingers of the Hoppers.  Definitely keep an eye on those Hoppers – they should be coming full swing in the next few weeks – and that is always some fun fishing!  If you are looking to fish midday, go for nymphs and attractors; rumor has it the fish are heartily taking both.  Stimulators with small bead head droppers are also good for drumming up some midday bites, as well as hopper-dropper rigs.

Be sure to bring your long sleeved shirt and/or plentiful supply of ultra-strong bug spray when you head out to the Gallatin.  The bugs – both mosquitoes and biting flies – have been bad this year, and are chasing away some of the less-than-dedicated fishermen.  Bear spray is also a good idea – I keep hearing more and more reports of bear sightings along the Gallatin, especially in the upper Park meadows. 

Construction also continues along the road up to Big Sky (Highway 191).  Beware the evening delays, which can be up to an hour, usually between 1930 and 2030 as they’re blasting in the canyon.  The river is worth the wait, though – as always.

Flows today (0600) are 862 cfs, with today’s average 570 cfs, taken at the gage near Gallatin Gateway.

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Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  PMD Sparkle Dun, Harrop PMD CDC Biot Thorax, Harrop PMD Biot Cripple Parachute, Cutter’s Little Yellow Stonefly, Head Light Yellow Sallie, Berrett’s Hairy Yellow Sally, Parachute Adams, AK’s Paraquill, Orange or Yellow Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis, Z Wing Caddis, Hares Ear Trude.

Nymphs: B.H. Flashback Hare’s Ear, Copper or Red Copper Johns, King Prince, Queen Prince, Bubbleback PMD, Bloody Mary, Lightning Bug, Red Headed Step Child, Brown & Tan Rubber Legs, Olive, Golden and Black Double Bead Stones, Poxy Biot Golden Stone, Mega Prince, B.H. Black Beauty, Red Zebra Midge, Brassies, Baetis Nymph.

Streamers / Other: Halloween Woolly Bugger, Olive B.H. Rubberleg Woolly Bugger, Olive and Black Bow River Buggers, Olive or Black Carey Buggers, and Peacock Woolly Bugger.

Terrestrials:  Hoppers (smaller), ants, beetles

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