East Gallatin River

Often referred to as the "locals river", the East Gallatin is an appealing option when fishing in the Bozeman area. Beginning near Bozeman and meandering almost exclusively through private land, the East is truly a remarkable and intimate small stream that boasts some of the largest trout in the valley- no joke. Access can be extremely difficult because of the majority of private and well patrolled land, but it’s worth finding a bridge crossing and hopping in.  The East is almost exclusively a wade fishery with only perhaps a very limited window of opportunity to "float" the river.  Generally that would be by canoe rather than any other means of watercraft.  Throughout the river bottom whitetail deer, waterfowl, songbirds,and upland game birds alike call the land home.   The East Gallatin has both rainbow and brown trout ranging between 12 and 20 inches.  Each year that the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks personnel do an electro-shocking survey a brown trout of twice this size and weighing over ten pounds shows up from one of the deep dark pools!

To fish the East, wading either up or downstream from county road bridge access points will quickly have the angler in relative solitude. A word about courtesy is due here: if you happen upon a county bridge and see one car or truck, it's safe to say the angler or anglers are generally only one of two directions from the bridge.  Go ahead, park, rig up, and head out.  But be courteous.  If you come across the angler(s) in short order, don't plow past and start fishing.  Reverse direction and go the opposite way from your point of access.  If you see 2 vehicles when you approach the access point, keep on going! There's really no need to spoil everyone's fishing by trying to cut past others already in front of you.  Remember, how would you feel if you were the one cut in front of?

Due to its small size, during the summer season through winter months, the river is easily crossed at the tail-out of each pool giving anglers continued access to the next  "sweet spot".  Deep undercut banks and long pools at every outside corner followed by a short choppy riffle area in between is the main characteristic.  The fishy spots are easily read.  And fishing can be very productive!  Streamers attract the largest trout ,but there are consistent hatches on the East Gallatin similar to the main stem of the Gallatin. Look for spring and fall Baetis; PMDs in June and July; caddis in June, July, and August  are prevalent just about every afternoon and evening; Yellow Sallies in June and July; Tricos in August; and hoppers, ants, beetles, and other terrestrial patterns work great from late July through early October.   A favorite technique if fish aren't actively rising to a hatch is to rig a small beadhead prince nymph with a straight dressed emerger or other nymph behind it as a dropper on 4 or 5X tippet followed by a small strike indicator about 3 feet above the beadhead.  No extra weight is usually necessary.  If the fish aren't whacking it,add a small #1 split shot and move the indy up another foot or 2.  Generally speaking, the eager rainbows and brown trout living in the pools and deeper runs can't resist.