Fishing Locations

Winter Has arrived in full force and that always makes the Gallatin one of the best options around. On Freezing cold days, like we are expecting in the next week, there will be some serious ice flow throughout the river. When things begin to warm back up, The canyon is fishing really well and the valley is producing well on certain days. The valley is starting to see the first ice jams forming. It will be best to stick to the upper river for the time being. Nymphing is the name of the game in the winter on this river. Standard fare includes worms, rubber leg stones, and midges or small mayflies. Try a 9 foot 3x leader with enough weight to get to the bottom. Keep the flies low and in the slow water. Streamer fishing can also be good this time of year but think small. Small wooly buggers in dark colors will get the job done! Dry Fly fishing is spotty this time of year but if heads are coming up a Griffiths Gnat or any small midge will get the job done.

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Fly Pattern Suggestions

Dries: Griffiths Gnat: 16-20, Purple Haze: 12-18, Matts midge: 18, Adams Para Wulff: 14-18,

Nymphs: Delektable Hurless: 4-6, Mega Prince: 4-6, Mega Hare's Ear: 6-8, Pats Rubber Legs: 6-10, Pheasant Tail: 14-18, Copper John Blue, Black: 14-18, Lightning Bug Silver, Original, Gold: 12-14-16, Bubble Back BWO: 16-18, El Diablo: 14-16-18, Tungsten Purple Burger: 12-14, Wire Worm Pink: 4, Military Mayfly: 18-20-22, Little Green Machine: 18-20-22, Little Spanker: 12-18, Hares ear: 12-18, Zebra Midge: 18-22

Streamers: BH Black Bugger: 2-4-6, Black Krystal Bugger: 6-8, Sex Dungeon Black, White, Yellow: 2, Home Invader Black, White, Yellow: 2, Black/Copper Zonker: 4-6, Sculpzilla Black, Olive, White: 2, Micro Zonker Grey, Brown, Black: 8, Bellyache Minnow Tan: 1-1/0, JJ Special: 6-8, Yellow/Brown: 4, Cheech Leech, Halloween: 1

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More USGS Water Data