The Gallatin River Cheat Sheet

Straight from the local pros at Yellow Dog Flyfishing (81801 Gallatin Road, Bozeman, MT 59718), here is the down-and-dirty, early-morning intel you need to trick the Gallatin River’s trout before the summer heat shuts the bite down:

Set the Alarm, Ditch the Afternoon Sun, and Tie On a Thunder Thigh!

• When to Go: Set an early alarm. The fishing is great at dawn, but Hoot Owl restrictions shut things down from 2 PM to midnight between Cameron Bridge and the Missouri. Yellow Dog Flyfishing says to “Avoid fishing when the temperatures exceed 68 degrees to avoid putting extra stress on the trout.”
• Where to Go: Head up into the canyon or the upper river for cooler water, and target the fast, oxygen-rich riffles.
• How to Fish: Run a dry-dropper rig with a small perdigon or caddis nymph dangling 2–3 feet below a large floating bug.
• What They’re Eating: Big terrestrial land bugs, Spruce Moths, and Caddis. “A Thunder Thigh hopper or Power Ant can work magic.”
• The Forecast: Cooler weather and rain later in the week should make the dry fly action even better and bring streamer fishing back into play. As the guide notes, “I enjoy covering a large portion of water with a single dry this time of the year.”

(Don’t forget: Montana fishing licenses must be purchased before heading out!)

Editor’s note: Corrected a claim that Montana fishing licenses must be purchased online; they can be bought online, by phone, or in person.