Bozeman Montana Fishing Report 10/21/25
Montana Fly Fishing Report
Updated: October 21, 2025
Cool mornings, crisp air, and fiery cottonwoods — fall fishing is in full swing across southwest Montana. Water temps are ideal, trout are hungry, and the crowds are thinning. Here’s what’s happening right now on our main rivers:
Upper Madison River Fishing Report
Current Flow: ~710 CFS at Kirby
This stretch is classic late-season Madison — clear, cold, and full of focused fish. The big fall-run browns are on the move. so it’s full on streamer season. Focus on the slower insides of runs and tailouts, especially during low-light hours. You don’t need giant flies; medium-sized sculpin and leech imitations with subtle movement will draw more consistent eats.
For nymphing, stick to a two-fly setup: one attractor (rubberlegs or Pat’s Stone) and a smaller trailing baetis or midge nymph. Adjust depth often — fish are tight to the bottom. Dries are less consistent now, but small baetis patterns and midges can pull fish during calm windows.
Fly Recommendations:
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubberlegs #8–10, Perdigon #16, Rainbow warrior #18, Split Case BWO #18
Streamers: Sculpzilla (olive or black), Dolly Llama, Mini Loop Sculpin, smaller Dungeons or Wooly Buggers
Dries: BWO Cripple #18, Sparkle Dun #18, Griffith’s Gnat #20, Purple Haze #16-18
Lower Madison River Fishing Report
Current Flow: ~1,180 CFS below Ennis Dam
The Lower Madison is fishing well right now. Fewer anglers, steady flows, and active trout make it a great fall option. Subsurface is the name of the game — the baetis and midge hatches have been solid on overcast days, and the nymph bite has been consistent all day long.
Look for fish holding tight to structure and the edges of the weed beds, especially in the deeper troughs near Bear Trap. Swinging soft hackles or small leeches can be deadl. Streamers are moving some nice browns as well.
Fly Recommendations:
Nymphs: Radiation Baetis #18, Silver Perdigon #16, Split Case BWO #18, Zebra Midge #20, Scud #14-16
Streamers: Kreelex (gold/copper), Scuplpzilla, Sparkle Minnow, Dungeons (olive/tan)
Dries: BWO Parachute #18, Midge Cluster #20, Purple Haze #16–18
Gallatin River Fishing Report
Current Flow: ~453 CFS at Gallatin Gateway
The Gallatin is in prime fall form. The Gallatin being a freestone, we saw river levels rise from rain but are dropping and clarity is great. Expect solid nymphing through the pocket water with big stoneflies and small baetis, midges, and attractor patterns. Fish are also stacked mid day tucked right below riffles that drop into big pools. On calm, cloudy afternoons, blue-wing olives are bringing fish up in the softer tailouts — it’s delicate fishing, but rewarding.
Streamer fishing is also solid in the deeper pools and around structure and near the banks. Smaller, natural-colored flies with a slow retrieve are producing the most consistent action.
Fly Recommendations:
Nymphs: Frenchie #16, Olive Perdigon #18, Zebra Midge #20, Rainbow Warrior #18
Dries: BWO Sparkle Dun #18–20, CDC Comparadun #18, Griffith’s Gnat #20
Streamers: Sparkle Minnow, Mini Dungeon, Small Sculpzilla #6–8
Yellowstone River Fishing Report
Current Flow: ~1,750 CFS at Livingston, 1,210 CFS at Corwin Springs
The Yellowstone has settled into that sweet fall rhythm. We’ve had some rain recently and the river has bumped up but flows are dropping and are stabilizing. Clarity is good — a few feet of visibility with that perfect green tint. Cloudy afternoons are bringing consistent baetis hatches, and the fish are keyed in. Look for pods of fish rising in softer seams and slower inside edges from mid-afternoon on. The dry fly bite can be sneaky-good if you’re in the right place at the right time. Nymphing is always a great option on the Yellowstone, rubberlegs, girdle bugs and other big stonefly nymphs with a mayfly nymph 16”-18” below that is the ticket this time of year.
Streamer anglers are starting to find their groove too. Browns are staging and getting territorial — expect some violent eats around banks, midriver boulders, and tailouts. Mornings can be slow but once the river warms up fish have been eager to eat.
Fly Recommendations:
Dries: Baetis Sparkle Dun #18–20, Parachute Adams #16–18, Griffith’s Gnat #20 for midge clusters
Nymphs: Rubberlegs #6-8, Olive Girdle Bug #6-8, Micro May #18, Pheasant Tail #16, Split Case BWO #18, Zebra Midge #16-18
Streamers: Sparkle Minnow (sculpin/olive), Mini Dungeon (Olive or Black), Hotbead wooly bugger, Mini Gonga in yellow/brown
Final Thoughts & Booking
October and early November are some of our favorite weeks of the year to guide. The fish are healthy, the rivers are quiet, and every system has its own personality right now.
If you’re thinking about getting one last trip in before winter, now’s the time.
Book your guided day with Rising Trout Fly Fishing and let us handle the details — from flies and rigs to the perfect fall water.
