Montana Fly Fishing Report : Salmonflies on the Madison & Clearing Rivers Near Bozeman
Southwest Montana Fly Fishing Report – June 17
It’s mid-June and things are shaping up beautifully across Southwest Montana. With runoff starting to taper, flows dropping, and bugs moving, we’re entering one of the most exciting windows of the season. If you’ve been waiting for a green light—this is it.
Here’s the rundown for our local rivers.
Upper Madison River – Salmonfly Season Begins
Flow: ~ 684 CFS @ Kirby
The Upper Madison River is fishing incredibly well right now, and the long-awaited salmonflies are starting to pop. We’re seeing the big bugs around the lower river and Trout are beginning to look up! We’ve already had a handful of violent eats on Chubbies and salmonflies.
This is one of the best weeks of the year to be on the Madison. Whether you're floating or walking, the action is real.
🪰 Fly recommendations:
Chubby Chernobyl (Orange)
Water Walker (Salmonfly)
Rubberlegs
Frenchies
Yellow Sally Nymphs
🎯 Tip from the boat: Fishing tight to the bank with dries and droppers has been most productive. We’ve also had good eats in slicks behind rocks and foam lines along the bank.
Yellowstone River – Clearing Fast, Almost There
Flow: ~7050 CFS @ Corwin Springs & 9400 CFS @ Livingston
Visibility: ~1 foot and improving daily
The Yellowstone River is coming into shape quicker than expected. Clarity today looked promising, especially along the edges. We’re not quite fully game-on yet, but another 3–5 days of dry weather should put it in play, and we’re already scouting for the first productive floats.
🚨 Be aware: Ever year we see new woody debris and river structure caused by spring runoff. If you're planning to float, scout your put-ins and takeouts carefully, and don’t hesitate to hire a guide for safety and better water access.
🪰 Fly recommendations:
Sparkle Minnows
Big rubberlegs
Zonkers or Mini Dungeons
Foam dries once clarity improves
Gallatin River – High but Getting Fishy
Flow: ~2080 CFS @ Gallatin Gateway
The Gallatin River is starting to come around as well. Flows are still high, but visibility is improving enough to start catching fish. It’s a great time to hit side channels and soft water if you know where to look. Just keep in mind—this is still a powerful river right now.
⚠️ Safety Reminder: Wading on the Gallatin at these flows is tricky. Stick to safe access points and never cross unless you’re 100% sure. The river is cold, swift, and unforgiving at this stage.
🪰 Best flies right now:
Pat’s Rubber Legs (black, brown, coffee/black)
Black buggers on a jig hook
Chubbies or attractor dries along banks
🎯 Pro tip: Fish a large-profile dry dropper rig in slower seams—these bigger flies help fish spot them in the slightly off-colored water and faster current.
Book Your Guided Montana Fly Fishing Trip
This is the kickoff to prime time fly fishing in Montana. The Madison is already firing, and the Yellowstone and Gallatin are right behind it. Whether you're chasing the thrill of a salmonfly eat, learning to fish high water effectively, or just looking for a killer day on the river, our team at Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters has you covered.
We fish all of these rivers daily and will put you in the best position possible to hook up and have fun—safely and confidently.
📅 We still have limited June and July availability. Don’t wait—book your guided trip today and let’s get after it.
See you on the water!
Rising Trout Fly Fishing – Bozeman, MT
