Gallatin River Lodge

Bozeman, Montana

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For more information or to make reservations:  rodandreeladventures@gmail.com
    
1-800-356-6982
1-541-349-0777

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR GALLATIN RIVER LODGE

A quiet, secluded Bozeman Montana fly fishing lodge right on the Gallatin River, they boast some of the best Montana fly fishing guides and offer fly fishing trips on the Madison River and Yellowstone River. Each of the six guest rooms have Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces and comfortable furnishings. The fly fishing guide service includes instruction, river float trips, and walk/wade trips on small streams nearby.  Here you will experience Bozeman Montana lodging and fly fishing at its very best. They have three dining rooms. The "Patio Dining Room" was built in 2007 and has a twenty-five foot glass wall that offers views of our pond and the beautiful Montana countryside. Guests will enjoy watching whitetail deer and other animals from this wonderful dining room. The Main Dining room contains a perfectly restored 100-year old bar. The Back dining room is perfect for a private dinner or small meeting.

They have expanded their extensive "Wine Spectator Award" winning wine list and also offer a top shelf bar to enhance your dining experience. And unlike other Montana bed and breakfasts, The Gallatin River Lodge is the only property admitted into the prestigious "Select Registry" in the state of Montana. The "Registry" is a group of distinguished inns in North America that offer the finest accommodations and hospitality and are inspected for quality assurance and exceptional standards. 

FISHING INFORMATION FOR GALLATIN RIVER LODGE GALLATIN RIVER - The Gallatin River is just a 5-minute walk outside the door of the Lodge, just across the hay meadows. The Gallatin flows over 90 miles with hundreds of small creeks adding to its flow. It heads from springs in Yellowstone Park and flows to Three Forks--the birthplace of the Missouri River. The three reaches are the Meadow, Canyon and Valley.

The Meadow stretch extends approximately 30 miles from Yellowstone Park to Big Sky. Riffles, runs, and pocket water characterize the Gallatin here. Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat and Cuttbow hybrids inhabit this area.

The Canyon stretch extends about 25 miles through a narrow shaded rocky gorge. The classic river fishing scenes from "A River Runs Through It" directed by Robert Redford; based on the book by Norman McLean, were filmed in this section. Deeper runs, pools, and pocket water characterize this section. Browns, Rainbows, Mt. Whitefish, and Cuttbows are the predominant species here.

The Valley section contains 35 miles of classic western freestone water. The Gallatin River Lodge is in this section. Offering excellent wading for Browns, Rainbows and Mt. Whitefish, the river here is braided through mostly private ranch property. Larger Browns and Rainbows can be found in this section. Access is more limited than the upper sections. The last 5 miles of the river can be accessed by boat but all other areas cannot be fished from watercraft.

April and early May are excellent months to fish the Gallatin. We fish stonefly, attractor nymphs and streamer patterns. You'll also see consistent midge hatches and sporadic baetis hatches during these months. By late-May, runoff begins and the Gallatin usually is not fishable until mid-June.

Late June is salmonfly time on the Gallatin. July brings salmonflies, golden stones, caddis and PMD's. Attractor nymphs work well through out the summer months. August and September are hopper, caddis and attractor dry months. We also see a variety of mayfly hatches as we move into the fall. October is one of our favorite months on the Gallatin and streamers and nymphs are quite productive.  

MADISON RIVER - The Madison River is within 30 miles of the Lodge. It contains three sections also: The Upper section in Yellowstone Park, the tailwater of Hebgen Dam and the tailwater of Ennis Dam. We fish the section below Hebgen to Ennis most of the year and the lower river in winter, spring and fall.

The upper river, although a tailwater, fishes more like a freestone river and has been described as a 50 mile riffle. Brown trout and Rainbow trout are the predominant species. Due to a greater understanding of Whirling Disease and mitigating techniques of river and habitat management, we have seen increasingly higher numbers of young Rainbow trout in the river. Whitefish and West Slope Cutthroat are also taken here.

We float and wade fish the Madison as most areas of the river pass through private property over this stretch. April through mid-May we fish stonefly and attractor nymphs. Spring caddis and baetis hatches become more prolific beginning in mid-April. Late-May the river can occasionally become unfishable due to runoff. Mid-June through August, the Madison offers one of the finest angling experiences in the world.

It's famous salmonfly hatch begins in early July. A variety of hatches occur throughout the summer including a variety of mayflies, stoneflies and caddis. Hoppers and various attractor patterns work well through early September. Terrestrials, Streamer and nymph fishing in September and October often produce some of the largest fish in the river for our anglers.

The lower river flows through the Beartrap canyon to Three Forks and the Missouri River for 45 miles. It is a deep fast river through the canyon stretch. We float and wade the area of the lower Beartrap to within a few miles of its joining the Jefferson at the confluence. This tailwater offers consistent hatches in the spring including prolific caddis, midge and baetis. Large Browns and Rainbows inhabit this area, along with Mt. Whitefish and a few Cutthroats. Mid to late June offers prolific stonefly hatches and some super fishing. Late July brings high water temperatures and we typically do not fish this section until early September. Fall streamer fishing for big Browns and Rainbows often produces some of the biggest fish of the season here.  

YELLOWSTONE RIVER - The Yellowstone River is a big western river just 30 miles east of the Lodge. It heads above Yellowstone Lake in the Bridger Teton country south of Yellowstone National Park and flows hundreds of miles to meet the Missouri River near North Dakota. Deep pools and runs characterize this great freestone river. We float fish the river from Yellowstone Park down to Big Timber--over 70 miles. Browns, Rainbows, Cutthroat and Mt. Whitefish are the predominant species.

The Yellowstone is open year-round to angling. Spring and fall months offer the most consistent hatches of stoneflies, caddis, midges and mayflies such as baetis, drake, BWO and Sulphurs. Terrestrials and attractor fishing characterize summer angling. Drifting a large hopper pattern over good water often produces some of the largest fish in the river. The Yellowstone fishes well in the fall and offers some of the most spectacular views of our Montana scenery. Streamer and nymph fishing are productive until November.  

SPRING CREEKS/STREAMS/ALPINE LAKES - Many famous spring creeks are nearby: DePuy's, Nelson's, Armstrong's and the MZ ranch are all within 30 minutes of the Lodge. These spring creeks are on private property and require an access rod fee. Many anglers find challenging technical fishing on the creeks. Our guides are experienced with this type of fishing and can help to improve your skills.

 

Small streams, stillwaters and alpine lakes are nearby also. We can also make arrangements for horseback access trips to isolated alpine lakes and backcountry streams in the area. Our guests may also travel to Yellowstone National Park just an hour away, and fish the numerous streams, lakes and rivers.

Our own private pond and its spicy Rainbows offer a great angling treat for many of Gallatin River Lodge guests. It also provides a great place to practice and is offered for fly fishing schools and casting instruction.

The Madison and Yellowstone offer floating and wading opportunities. We find that many guests prefer fishing out of a drift boat. A typical day includes floating 8 to 12 miles in drift boats with ample stops for lunch and wade fishing. Two guests per guide are common. The Gallatin offers walk and wade fishing.  

We are also only a 2 1/2 hour drive from the Missouri, Henry's Fork, Big Hole, Beaverhead, Boulder and Stillwater rivers. We do not typically fish these waters on our day trips but we can put you in touch with excellent guides on these rivers. 

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AT GALLATIN RIVER LODGE
Photography, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are all available for non-anglers. The lodge is located about an hour from Yellowstone National Park.   

SEASON AT GALLATIN RIVER LODGE
Flyfishing in Montana can be great year around with only the most severe winter weather stopping  the hardcore anglers from trekking out into the cold. Starting in April, the Baetis and Caddis combine with temperatures that won't freeze your arms off to make  fishing pretty good until ICE OUT which happens sometime between May 1 and June 1. Depending on snow packs and spring weather,fishing can be great with the legendary Mothers Day Caddis Hatch topping the charts for the early season crowd. Once the rivers drop back into shape after ice out, the PMDs are consistent and the caddis prolific. The hoppers and terrestrials round out the late summer action with streamer fishing for pre-spawning browns in September and October.

HOW TO GET TO GALLATIN RIVER LODGE
Just drive or fly to Bozeman. Airport pick-up is included!

2014 RATES FOR GALLATIN RIVER LODGE

High Season Rates:  June 13, 2014 - October 14, 2014

RATES include lodging, breakfast and dinner, picnic lunches for your day trip or with your guide, fishing guide fees, taxes and airport transportation.

$400 per person per night
double occupancy + 7% tax

$450 per day for your private fishing guide

50% Deposit based on total package price is required to hold your reservations.

**Special**  "WINTER ROMANCE PACKAGE" Dinner for two, a bottle of wine, one night in one of our jacuzzi suites, and breakfast for two. This is offered from today through April 1. $265 plus tax and gratuities. Not available December 18-January 1.

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ONE DAY GUIDE SERVICE

ONE DAY FLOAT TRIPS
Fly fish southwest Montana’s famous trout rivers in our driftboats with an experienced guide at the oars. We float the Lower Gallatin, Missouri, Madison and Yellowstone Rivers. We provide guide service, transportation and a delicious lunch.

One or Two Anglers $500

WALK AND WADE FISHING
We provide walk/wade trips on the Gallatin River, famous spring creeks and other selected streams. We provide guide service, transportation and a delicious lunch.

One or Two Anglers $500  /  Three Anglers $600

PRIVATE SPRING CREEKS, PRIVATE LAKES AND PRIVATE RANCH FISHING is available. Additional rod fees are required. Please contact us to reserve dates for these trips.

WHAT'S INCLUDED AT GALLATIN RIVER LODGE

• All meals and accommodations at the Lodge
• Guided fishing (includes guide and lunch)
• Transportation from Bozeman Airport to Gallatin River Lodge

NOT INCLUDED AT GALLATIN RIVER LODGE

• Tips for fishing guides
• Additional fees for private spring creek access 
• Fishing license - must get prior to arrival
• Taxes
• Alcoholic Beverages