Montana ·
Gallatin River Fly Fishing Report - June 21, 2026
GALLATIN RIVER
ReportJUN 21 — 28, 2026
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Flow
—CFS
🌡️
Water Temp
—
☀️
Weather
46–79°F
Partly Cloudy
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Live gauge data is unavailable for today, but as of mid-June reports had the Gallatin dropping fast from runoff with improving clarity — expect near or at fishable clarity by now with salmonflies pushing up the canyon. Today's sunny high of 79°F and light winds set up a textbook summer dry fly afternoon.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs - Tan & Brown #6
#6
Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12 - 32
#12
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
#6
Egan's GTI Caddis - Olive #12
#12
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan #20
#20
Tungsten Split Case Nymph - PMD #20
#20
Split Case - PMD #14
#14
Bionic Hopper - Tan #12
#12
Egan's Frenchie #12
#12
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
#12
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
#22
Joe's Mini Crayfish Jig #6
#6
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmonfly (Pteronarcys) | 4-6 | Moderate | 11 AM - 4 PM |
| Golden Stonefly | 6-8 | Moderate | 10 AM - 5 PM |
| Caddis (Brachycentrus) | 14-18 | Heavy | 4 PM - 8 PM |
| PMD (Pale Morning Dun) | 16-20 | Moderate | 10 AM - 1 PM |
| Midge | 20-24 | Light | 7 AM - 9 AM |
| Yellow Sally Stonefly | 14-16 | Light | 1 PM - 5 PM |
Best Time Window
- 7 AM - 10 AM: Early nymphing in the deep canyon seams with stonefly and PMD patterns before the sun hits the water.
- 11 AM - 3 PM: Prime salmonfly dry fly window — walk the banks, spot feeding fish, and present large dries tight to structure.
- 5 PM - 8 PM: Evening caddis hatch on the tail-outs and riffles; skitter CDC caddis patterns for aggressive surface takes.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith salmonflies pushing up the canyon and a sunny 79°F day ahead, focus your morning session nymphing the deep pocket water with heavy stonefly patterns, keeping your indicator tight and your flies on the bottom. By early afternoon, walk the banks and watch for adult salmonflies crawling on streamside vegetation — wherever you see them, fish a large dry fly tight to the bank with a downstream slack-line presentation. Evening is all about caddis: move to the tail-outs and riffles, skitter a CDC caddis across the surface as the light drops, and hang on. Be mindful of hoot owl restrictions — plan to be off the water by early afternoon on hot days if conditions warrant.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
