Gallatin River Fishing Report
Gallatin River Fishing Report
12/31/2025
Start the New Year off right by getting out on the water and catching some fish! The unusually mild start we have had to the winter has given us some great angling opportunities.
There's no real reason to be hitting the water at the crack of dawn for an early start to the day. Plan to fish during the warmest time of day, typically from 10am to 3pm will be the best bet for finding some cooperative fish.
We do not see much hatch activity this time of year from any insects other than Midges. You can scratch that dry fly itch on days where there is no wind and warm temps. Occasionally the fish will rise to small attractor dries as well and are no stranger to eating a size 18 micro chubby just because they are hungry. Even later into the winter, around February we will see some small stoneflies hatch.
Nymphing is going to be the name of the game pretty much every day until the Spring. Focus on pairing a larger attractor style pattern like a size 12 Rubber Legs with a smaller pattern like a size 18 Zebra Midge. In the winter time the fish are not particularly picky, but downsizing your tippet can prove advantageous because your flies will have a better sink rate and the majority of the trout will be suspended close to the bottom of most runs.
Unsure of what you should be using on the river today? Check out our pattern suggestions below or swing by our shop in Big Sky for some advice!
Dries: Buzzball #18, Cluster Midge #16-20, Skittering Zelon Midge #20, Weise's Hazy Cripple (Purple) #18, Chubby Chernobyl (Royal, Black/Purple) #18
Nymphs:Pat's Rubberlegs (Black, Coffee, Brown) #8-12, Zebra MIdge (Purple, Black, Red) #18-20, Perdigons (Spanish Bullet, Lite Brite, Pearl and Black, Butano, Olsen's Blue Steel, Gasolina), Lightning Bug #14-18, Little Green Machine (Pheasant Tail, Gray, Chartruese) #18, Galloup's Hare's Ear (Olive) #18-20
Streamers: Boogieman (Rootbeer) #4, Galloup's Two Tone Dungeon #4-8, Double Screamer (Olive, Black, Gold) #6, Wooly Bugger (olive, black)#10, Sparring Partner (Black/Purple) #6
Our Fly Fishing Guide School has helped lots of anglers achieve their dream of being a fishing guide. With schools throughout the spring and fall, there is likely a week of fishing that will fit your schedule. Check out our Montana Fishing Guide School to become a more rounded fisherperson or to jump-start your career in this amazing industry.
Even the NY Times has caught wind of the growth of women in the fly fishing industry. Gain the skills to fish confidently on your own in our Montana Women’s Fly Fishing School.
Updated reports for the Gallatin River coming to you from our backyard in beautiful Big Sky, Montana. We know this river like the back of our hands.
