Fishing Guide 2015 - West Yellowstone

WEST YELLOWSTONE

2015

FISHING Guide

Fly Fishing Gear: a guide for beginners

FANTASTIC

FISH

Increase your chances of landing a lunker in 2015

River profiles and maps

Hebgen Lake • Madison River Gallatin River • Yellowstone NP

Fishing Guide • 2015

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Fishing Guide • 2015

Table of Contents 4

Fishing guide BY: MIKE MOORE

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Fly fishing gear: A guide for beginners BY: JEREMY WEBER

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Area guide to identifying fish BY: MIKE MOORE

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Ice fishing: Tips from a pro BY: JEREMY WEBER

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Area River Profiles and Maps

FISHING GUIDE SPECIAL EDITION: Summer 2015 The West Yellowstone area Fishing Guide is a special publication of the West Yellowstone News.

Contents copyright 2015 unless otherwise noted.

Cover photo by Ken Tekata

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EDITOR Jeremy Weber WYN REPORTER Mike Moore ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Denise Buchner ADVERTISING DESIGN MANAGER Jessica Ferreyra

Fishing Guide • 2015

Photo by Ken Tekata

Anglers swarm to the region in the fall months for a chance at landing a brown trout of a lifetime during the fall brown run.

Catching the “mythical brown” attracts fall anglers

By MIKE MOORE West Yellowstone News

As the leaves change and the temperature drops, this means one thing for area anglers who love catching big trout: the fall run has begun.

Each fall brown trout run up into small headwaters to spawn, making the likelihood of catching a 20-plus inch illusive brown a reality for many anglers. The run starts in October and is in full swing by early November, with the browns sticking around through early January.

Fall fishing in the West Yellowstone area consists of three systems – the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park, the Madison River between Hebgen Lake and Earthquake Lake, and the Madison River between Quake Lake and Ennis Lake.

According to Kelly Galloup of Galloup’s Slide Inn, fish from Ennis Lake spawn throughout the Madison River system and can easily push up all the way to the base of Hebgen Dam. Galloup says the first movement of spawning fish will occur in early-to-mid September in Yellowstone National Park on the Madison River. During this time, anglers can find pre-spawn trout from the confluence at Hebgen Lake up to Madison Junction.

Around the last week of September, pre-spawn trout from Ennis will move up below Earthquake Lake.

Photo by Christopher Daniel

“The first real push is the first week of October,” Galloup said of the Ennis Lake spawners. “The pre-spawn is what you’re looking for; they’re more aggressive. Try to catch them as they move to spawn areas. They stage up in deeper and faster water waiting for the females to show up.”

Galloup says he likes fishing at the end of September, as fish 4

Fishing Guide • 2015

begin to move to spawning locations. Fish are often squirrelly at this time and are more aggressive to the fly.

“Once they’re on redds it’s hard to get them on a fly,” he said. “I like to catch them before or after the spawn.”

Fall weather can be brutal at over 6,000 feet in the fall, bringing snowstorms, bitter cold and frequent rain to anglers standing in a cold river all day long. The reason why they put up with less-than-ideal weather is simple, according to Galloup.

“The hallmark is a pumpkinbelly hook jaw male; they’re mythical, man,” he said. “Everyone wants the big brown trout.”

According to the fly shop owner, he says this year’s fall run should result in some nice trout, as the Madison River is showing a healthy population of fish this FALL FISHING | continued on page 6

Photo by Christopher Daniel

Dave Gill searches for fall run brown trout in a deep run in the river during the early morning hours last fall.

Mike Moore/WYNews

Local angler Said Medina fishes the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park on the final open day of the summer season.

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Fishing Guide • 2015 Photo by Christopher Daniel

Bozeman angler Jesse Steorts chucks a streamer while fishing for trout.

fall fishing from page 5 year.

“Last year was one of the best fish population years,” Galloup said.

That, with the Hebgen Dam reopening should help bounce caddis populations back to normal along with cooler water to help the trout out. Considering the area has potential for a low water year with

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Fishing Guide • 2015

little snowfall coming last winter, the dam could play a big role in improving this year’s fishing season.

“If the dam opens up, it will drop the water temperatures and stabilize,” Galloup said. “With incredible water quality and cooler water we will see more caddis so everything goes up.

If all goes well we should have an incredible year. It was such a mild winter that we had no problem with winter-kill.

The fly-shop owner added that low-water years can hold spawn runs back, as fish move on water movement.

“If it’s a big drought year, there will be spatterings of fish here and there,” he said.

As more and more anglers Mike Moore/WYNews converge on the Greater Early morning steam rises from the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park as an angler attempts Yellowstone Ecosystem to try their to catch fall run brown trout. luck with the area’s blue ribbon streams, Galloup says the fall can much,” Galloup said of the fall fishing pressure. “Generally be a good time to get away from anglers, if you know where to anglers that are fishing that time of year are pretty polite.” go.

“It appears the park is a little busier, but overall not too FALL FISHING | continued on page 8

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Fishing Guide • 2015

fall fishing

from page 7

He says popular areas like the upper and lower Barns Holes just inside Yellowstone have seen more pressure in recent years, but if you get away from popular access spots, there is still tons of water to explore.

“There are lots of fish,” he said.

For the best results, get out on the river early and go back late in the day. Cover lots of ground; if the fish aren’t there or eating within the first few casts, move.

“Don’t wait for the fish,”

he said. “You have to cover ground.”

It’s also important to get your fly down to the fish.

Some anglers prefer using sink-tip lines to get down deep.

Yellow and brown-colored streamers work best during the day, while dark olive and black work best late in the day.

Don’t write off unpleasant weather conditions, either.

Low-light conditions get trout moving and they tend to be more aggressive.

Most importantly, Galloup says once the fish begin to spawn, leave them alone.

“When they start spawning, let them spawn,” he said.

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Photo by Christopher Daniel

Local fishing guide and avid angler Jared Cady checks his fly before casting to trout in Yellowstone National Park.

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Fishing Guide • 2015

Ennis Fly Fishing Festival to be held Sept. 4-5

By MIKE MOORE West Yellowstone News

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he Madison River Foundation will be hosting their 13th annual Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival Sept. 4-5, bringing celebrity speakers, seminars, casting clinics and more to the small fishing town of Ennis, Mont. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the conservation group and brings a wide variety of events, seminars and casting clinics that cater to both avid anglers and non-anglers.

“It’s a great family-oriented festival,” former Madison River Foundation executive director Richard Lessner said.

The festival will feature casting clinics and casting competitions both days, along seminars and celebrity speakers. The festival will also feature programs for kids, fly tying seminars, live music, raffle for a brand new

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“Whether you’re a beginner or experienced caster, you can learn new tips,” Lessner said of the clinics offered. “We have the whole spectrum.”

Lessner says everything other than food and the raffle is free for attendees, and welcomes anyone interested to stop by and check the festival out.

“We want people to come and enjoy the fair for a couple days,” he said. “Bring your kids, there is no charge. The funds raised will support the conservation work of the Madison River Foundation.

We draw attendees from around the region and vendors come from as far as Minnesota.”

The festival will be held at the park on Main Street in Ennis right inside town Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5.

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Mike Moore/WYNews

An angler and his dog search for rising fish along the south shore of Hebgen Lake last summer.

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Fishing Guide • 2015

Photo by Christopher Daniel

Picking out fly fishing equipment can be overwhelming for the beginner, but there are some essential pieces that are needed before heading out for the water.

Essential equipment for the fly fishing beginner

By JEREMY WEBER

A

West Yellowstone News

s a newcomer to Montana, I know how intimidating the sport of fly fishing can be at first glance. A case full of flies, a vest full of equipment, waders, net, rod and reel; to the beginner it can be quite overwhelming. Luckily, you don’t have to be weighted down with gear to start fly fishing.

The first, and most essential, piece of equipment for the fly fisherman is a good fly rod. Most fly rods are made from graphite these days, providing a lightweight and strong tool for casting. Fly rods break down into two or four pieces.

Four-piece rods are just as durable as two-piece rods, but are easier to transport since they break down into small pieces. A good starting rod should cost between $100-200.

The next thing needed is a good reel. Fly reels are designed to perform two major functions. They serve as a place to store your line as well as providing resistance against a fish so they can be landed efficiently. Usually made from aluminum, the general rule with reels is that the lighter they are then the more they cost. Good beginner reels should cost around $50.

The fly line is the weight that carries the fly to the target.

Line weights generally range from 2-12. The selection of line weight should be based on the size of the fly being used

Photo by Christopher Daniel

Having the right gear can make all the difference when you are out in the water.

as well as the weight designed to be used with your rod.

Middle weights are the most popular and versatile. Line should cost between $25-100.

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Fishing Guide • 2015

Photo by Ken Tekata

The region surrounding West Yellowstone has a number of food

The next thing needed is a leader. The leader is the “invisible” connection between the line and the fly that should help the fly fisher fool fish into biting. Leaders cost around $5 each.

Water can be cold even in the heat of the summer, so a good pair of waders and wading boots can come in handy.

Waders come in two styles, boot-foot and stocking-foot. As far as boots are concerned, there are felt sole, rubber sole, and studded traction for both felt and rubber soles. Felt or rubber soled boots are just fine for the beginning angler.

Rubber soled boots are required in some places due to the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

A well-prepared angler will carry a wide variety of flies and fly sizes that can be fished at all water levels in the water. The majority of a fish’s feeding is done subsurface on aquatic insects and baitfish. Be prepared to offer fish more than the dry fly option when heading out to fish.

The last few items may not be essentials, but they do come in quite handy. A good pair of polarized sunglasses are very important. This is one insanely underrated piece of equipment that is so important to your success on the water. Seeing the fish is the first step to catching the fish.

The last few things needed include a vest or a chest or waist pack to keep all your stuff in. And now is when I tell you about the stuff. A pair of pliers or hemostats, clippers, strike indicators, split shot, A fly box, tippet and flies to put in your box.

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Mike Moore/WYNews

With a variety of flies available to the fly fisherman, the trick is to learn what works best for each location and situation.

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Fishing Guide • 2015

Fish identification for native species Cutthroat trout

dark spots on light background very few spots on head easily identifiable by red slash on jaw Photo by Christopher Daniel

The cutthroat trout has two subspecies within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: the westslope cutthroat and the Yellowstone cutthroat.

Both species are widely distributed in many river drainages both inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park.

Photo by Christopher Daniel 12

Fishing Guide • 2015

Arctic Grayling large, colorful dorsal fin dark spots on front half of body large scales

Mike Moore/WYNews

Mountain Whitefish large scales

body almost round on cross-section

no teeth, smaller mouth than trout

Mike Moore/WYNews 13

Fishing Guide • 2015

Fish identification for nonnative species Rainbow trout

numerous spots on head

small scales

often has white edge on end of fins

Photo by Ken Tekata

The cutthroat trout has two subspecies within the Greater Yellowstone Rainbow trout can frequently be Ecosystem: the westcaught in many area streams surroundandInthe ingslope West cutthroat Yellowstne. streams where Yellowstone cutthroat.

Both cutthroat trout and rainbow trout are species are widely distribboth present, anglers can often catch uted in many drainages hybridized cutthroat rainbow trout, bothoften inside andcommon outside of which have characterYellowstone National and Park.spotting istics such as coloration patterns between the two species. These hybridized trout can also have the red slash jaw characteristic of a cutthroat trout. This can often make proper identification difficult.

Rainbow trout tend to have numerous spots on the head and the length of the body. They often have white edges on their fins and have small scales.

Mike Moore/WYNews 14

Fishing Guide • 2015

Brook trout

red spots with blue haloes

light spots, dark body tone

worm-like markings

dark fins with white edge Mike Moore/WYNews

Brown trout

numerous spots on head

black and red spots with pale haloes

no teeth, smaller mouth thancoloring trout on body golden

Mike Moore/WYNews 15

Fishing Guide • 2015

2015 fishing season opens May 15 in Montana News from Fish, Wildlife & Parks ontana’s 2015 general fishing season opens Saturday, May 16.

Montana’s general fishing season opens on the third Saturday of May, while fishing on the state’s lakes and reservoirs is generally open year round. Montana’s general fishing season closes Nov. 30.

To prepare for the 2015 fishing season, pick up the state fishing regulations at FWP offices, license providers, or FWP’s 2015 Fishing Regulations webpage at fwp.mt.gov.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will also host a number of public open house meetings statewide in May to discuss regulations for the 2016-2019 fishing seasons.

“Every four years, fishing regulations in Montana undergo comprehensive review, and that’s happening now,” explained Joel Tohtz, FWP’s fisheries management bureau chief in Helena. “We’re asking anglers to offer their thoughts on what needs to be considered when the 2016-2019 fishing regulations are proposed to the Fish & Wildlife Commission in July.”

The open houses are set for: • May 19 at 7 p.m. – Columbus; Columbus Fire Hall, 944 East Pike Ave. • May 20 at 7 p.m. – Billings; FWP Region 5 HQ; 2300 Lake Elmo Drive • May 26 at 6:30 p.m. – Bozeman; FWP Region 3 HQ, 1400 South 19th Ave. • May 28 at 6:30 p.m. – Butte; USFS Butte Ranger District;

M

Montana fishing season opens May 15.

Photo by Christopher Daniel

1820 Meadowlark Anyone interested is invited to review or submit ideas that could change fishing regulations for 2016-2019. To view suggestions for regulation changes, visit FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov, then click Fishing Regulations- 2016-19. Public comments must be submitted

by May 31. Comments can also be sent by mail to: Montana FWP Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

Regulations proposals will be available for further review and public comment through August, with final regulations presented for Fish & Wildlife Commission approval in October.

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Photo by Ken Tekata 17

Fishing Guide • 2015

Jeremy Weber/WYNews

Ice fishing is becoming more popular in the Greater Yellowstone area during the winter. Three kid’s ice fishing camps are held on Hebgen lake each winter, including one on the Saturday before the annual NAIFC West Yellowstone Ice Fishing Tournament.

Fish in the winter: Ice fishing around Yellowstone

By JEREMY WEBER

W

Mike Moore/WYNews

Steve Stoddard hits the ice on Hebgen Lake for some ice fishing. Stoddard says he can drill 30 holes or more per day while fishing.

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West Yellowstone News

hile the Yellowstone area is known for its fly fishing, there is another sport that it starting to grow in the area as ice fishing is becoming more and more popular.

Ice fishing may not be the main winter pass time in the area but its popularity is growing with visitors and locals alike.

For Kirkwood Resort’s Steve Stoddard, ice fishing has become a way of life.

“Ice fishing is just growing. It is getting to be like everything else. There are special suits and setups for your snowmobiles. It can only grow here on Hebgen,” Stoddard said. “There are not a lot of people fishing.

You can come out here on just about any day in the winter and pretty much fish wherever you want to.”

According to Stoddard, the ice fishing season on Hebgen Lake usually lasts from mid December through Early May,

Fishing Guide • 2015

depending on weather conditions, but fishermen need to pay special attention at the start and end of the season.

“You have to be careful and pay attention at the beginning and the end of the season. You have to know your ice and how to tell the difference between good and bad ice, Stoddard said. “Any time you are on the ice, you need to pay attention.”

With its popularity growing around the country, ice fishing has become a game of equipment and technology. From fish-finding ice flashers to underwater cameras, technology is changing the face of ice fishing.

“Ice fishermen are like gamers. They sit and watch the electronics,” Stoddard said. “They see the fish come in. They can see their jigs moving. You can tell when the fish are there and adjust accordingly. With the cameras, you can even watch the fish.

The tournament ice fishermen these days use a lot of cameras and electronics. but not everybody does that.”

A professional ice fisherman with Beam Outdoors, Stoddard knows his way around Hebgen Lake. When it comes to finding fish on Hebgen in the winter, Stoddard says it is not always an easy task.

“On Hebgen, it is difficult to pick a spot to fish since it is such a big lake. We do have maps of the lake, but they are not very good,” he said. “You want to get your map, look at your contours and look for shelves where the depth drops off. You have to remember that the lake may be down six to seven feet in the winter, so your map is going to be off by that much, at least. The most difficult part is finding the fish. I might drill up to 30 holes just looking for fish.

Some people will just go to the same spot figuring they have always been there so the fish should stay there. I can use my equipment to tell me if there are fish in a certain spot or not. If there are no fish then I am not going to sit there very long. Also, another hard part is knowing what to fish with. It is quite different from what you use in the summer.”

While the fish can sometimes be hard to find in the winter, Stoddard says there are some tricks that can be used to increase your chances of success on Hebgen Lake. He says that certain color lures work well at different times of the winter and that plastic lures can work better than live bait.

“On this lake, you need about five lures or so. You don’t need the whole tackle box. It’s all about learning to fish with what you have,” Stoddard said. “I use mostly plastic. It takes a lot of practice to learn to use the plastic though. You have so many more choices as far as shapes and colors with plastic. They even make jig heads that glow now. Plastics are just different. You can’t just drop them and leave them. You have to work with them.”

For those looking to get into the sport of ice fishing, Stoddard said that some basic equipment is needed. The first thing needed is a way to get through the ice and to the water. There are several kinds of ice augers available, from hand powered to gasoline models.

The next essential piece of equipment is a good ice fishing rod and reel. Much smaller than a fly fishing rod, ice rods vary in length from 20 to 24 inches.

Finally, the beginning ice fisherman needs patience and knowledge. According to Stoddard, the best way to learn ice fishing is to ask for help.

“I am usually here all winter and I like to help people. The best way to learn is to find the people around here who like to ice fish and ask them for help,” he said. “There are a few ice fisherman in town and around here. Ice fishermen are usually pretty nice. If you

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ICE FISHING | continued on page 20 19

Fishing Guide • 2015

Mike Moore/WYNews

An ice auger is an essential piece of equipment for ice fishermen.

Here, Steve Stoddard uses a gas-powered model.

Ice Fishing

from page 19

don’t know what you are doing, you can pretty much ask anyone out there on the ice to help you.”

In the end, Stoddard said that ice fishing is about having fun, getting out on the ice and sharing the sport with others.

“Ice fishing is just something we are trying to get going here in West. With all of the different things we have to do around here in the summer, this will provide something to do for the people that stay here in the winter,” he said. “Really, it is just like normal fishing only colder.”

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Fishing Guide • 2015

WYFR

West YelloWstone F i s h i n g R e p o Rt

Catch the latest fishing report every Friday inside the West Yellowstone News or online at

westyellowstonenews.com

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Fishing Guide • 2015

Photos by Ken Tekata

World-class angling in wonderland

By MIKE MOORE

A

West Yellowstone News

wealth of angling opportunities exist in Yellowstone National Park, as the world’s first national park features numerous lakes, rivers and creeks full of trout for fishermen to explore.

Fishing in Yellowstone is an experience not found anywhere else.

From fishing the Firehole River surrounded by a herd of wild Bison to a dramatic setting of geothermal features erupting and unique mountain wilderness for as far as the eye can see, Yellowstone is a place anglers shouldn’t overlook if visiting Southwest Montana.

The expansive area, covering parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho features fishing for cutthroat, rainbow, brook, brown, arctic grayling and lake trout in a variety of river drainages and lakes.

Yellowstone’s fishing season opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and runs through the first Sunday in November. A special park permit is required, and anglers 16 years of age and older are required to purchase either a three-day, seven-day or season permit.

The first rivers to clear in the spring include the Firehole River, Gibbon River and Madison River, all of which are within 14 miles of West Yellowstone. Some of the last rivers to clear are within the Lamar River Drainage, and are usually fishing well by the middle of July. This includes both Slough Creek and Soda Butte Creek.

Yellowstone fishes well throughout the summer season, with multiple insect hatches occurring early in the summer. As the season grows longer, terrestrials dominate the food supply for trout once August rolls around.

Anglers can find brown trout and rainbow trout in many of the park’s waters, however, the northeast corner of the park, including the Lamar and Yellowstone rivers is the best location to catch the fabled Yellowstone cutthroat. Arctic grayling and brook trout also call Yellowstone home, and can be found in select locations.

So, if fishing thousands of miles of river and more than 100 lakes sounds appealing, come explore the wild unknown of Yellowstone National Park.

Mike Moore/WYNews

A fisherman braves early signs of winter while fishing the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park late last fall.

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Fishing in dry fly heaven

By MIKE MOORE

T

West Yellowstone News

he Madison River remains one of the most famed rivers in Montana, providing more than 100 miles of blue ribbon water from the outlet of Hebgen Dam down to its confluence with the Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers to form the Mighty Missouri near Three Forks.

Increased angling pressure has made for growing pains on the “100-mile” riffle, as anglers come from around the world to experience the river’s healthy trout population, endless runs and fantastic pocket water fishing for wild rainbow and brown trout. Despite added pressure, the Madison continues to provide anglers with wonderful angling experiences, as there truly is no bad spot to fish the river.

Access on the Madison is exceptional due to multiple state and Federally managed lands along the river, providing boat launches and access sites throughout the entire river system from Hebgen Dam to Ennis Lake to Three Forks.

Last winter brought above-average snowpack to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Madison Valley, allowing Hebgen Dam to provide consistent flows throughout the summer. The more stable environment has made for the fish population to remain healthy and thrive this summer season.

Anglers see some of the best dry fly fishing around on the Madison, as early season hatches of baetis and midges are followed up by stoneflies including salmonflies and goldenstones in late June.

Mayflies kick off in early July and epic caddis hatches occur from early June to the middle of August.

A shift to terrestrials dominate late summer fishing, as beetles, ants and hoppers bring the fish to the surface from early July through September.

Photos by Ken Tekata

An angler and their dog search for the next fishing spot while spending the day on the Madison River.

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A beautiful stream for blue ribbon fishing

By MIKE MOORE

F

West Yellowstone News

rom its origin at Gallatin Lake high in the mountains of Yellowstone National Park, the Gallatin River flows for more than 100 miles through scenic meadows and canyons before flowing into the Missouri River headwaters near Three Forks.

Access on the Gallatin is excellent. Heading north on U.S. Highway 191, the river becomes visible from the road approximately 20 miles north of West Yellowstone. From there, the river flows north through mountainous area until reaching the Gallatin Valley near Bozeman.

Access in the canyon stretch of is outstanding, as the river runs alongside the highway, allowing anglers to park in numerous turnouts and begin fishing immediately. Once the river flows into the Gallatin Valley it begins to flow primarily through private land. A handful of access sites do exist in the lower stretch, yet access is still a little more difficult.

Most of the river is off-limits to float fishing, however, anglers can find a handful of boat launches downstream of Manhattan to the confluence with the Missouri River to float the river.

The river is best fished from mid summer through the fall due to high, muddy runoff that occurs each spring.

Once the water clears up, anglers can experience a wide variety of water to fish with plenty of dry and wet fly fishing potential. The river is not known for producing huge trout, but anglers can expect to frequently catch fish in the 12 to 14 inch range.

Similar hatches occur on the Gallatin as the nearby Madison, providing stonefly hatches early in the season from late June to mid July, while Caddis arrive the first of July and stick around through mid August. Terrestrials such as Spruce Moths, beetles, ants and hoppers can provide good results for anglers from mid July through September.

Photos by Ken Tekata

A pair of anglers fish a deep pool along the Gallatin River north of Big Sky in mid August.

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Photo by Ken Tekata 29

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