It’s time for fishing all across Southwest Montana. For the last couple of days I had the opportunity to fish the Gallatin River, undoubtedly one of the quintessential western fishing rivers. Green cold water runs through some of the most beautiful scenery I have laid eyes on, and the fishing…wow. The Gallatin has always been a great fishing river for me and many others. The river is narrower and the fish are not hard to find. Some relentless pressure from wading anglers has driven many into swift water and small pockets behind exposed and submerged rocks. Some of the larger pools get slammed day in and day out by guides and recreational anglers making some of the fish line shy and spooky, but if you run a dry or emerger in faster, silver water, the fish are stacked up like cord wood and ready to eat. Delektable Flying ants in red and black #14 caught many fish in addition to soft hackle caddis and PMD emergers fished with a small split shot. Don’t forget a small stimulator in orange or yellow! The fish can’t help themselves! Take the bobbers off and try tight lining the emergers and nymphs through narrow channels on far banks and between rocks. But the dry flies…too much fun not to throw and the fish are eating off the top!
John G