Daily River Forecast

Gallatin River

Big Sky to Gallatin Gateway, Montana

Gallatin River | Big Sky to Gallatin Gateway, Montana | Updated October 29, 2026 | Station: Gallatin River above Deer Creek, near Big Sky, MT

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How To Fish It

  • Fish deep pocket water and slow seams where trout hold in cold flows. Dead-drift your flies close to the bottom with minimal drag.
  • Use Indicator Nymphing Rig.
  • Favor Heavy tungsten beadheads, small dark profiles, and subtle rubber legs..

Bugs & Best Matches

What's active
Fish this
Midges, size 18-22, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)
Zebra Midge, size 18-22, nymph; Disco Midge, size 18-22; Top Secret Midge, size 18-22
BWOs, size 16-20, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)
Pheasant Tail, size 16-20, nymph; BWO RS2, size 16-20; Sparkle Dun, size 16-20, dry
Stoneflies, size 10-14, Midday (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
Rubberlegs, size 10-14; Girdle Bug, size 10-14; Prince Nymph, size 10-14
Caddis, size 14-18, Afternoon (2:00 PM–6:00 PM)
No matching fly supplied
Scuds, size 14-18, Evening (6:00 PM–10:00 PM)
No matching fly supplied

Current Conditions

Flow246 cfs and falling
Water Temp37°F
WeatherClear Night
Rating6/10 · Fair

Today's Feeding Pattern

Freezing morning temperatures and very cold water mean trout will hug the bottom in a lethargic state. Subsurface presentations using small nymphs will match the most reliable food sources available right now.

About The Gallatin River

The Gallatin starts in Yellowstone National Park and fishes through a long canyon corridor near Big Sky before flattening out toward the valley. Most anglers know it for easy roadside access, cold clear water, and technical pocket-water trout fishing.

Rainbow and brown trout make up most of the catch, with cutthroat higher in the system. It is a wading river first, and reading short feeding lanes matters more here than covering huge flats.