Booking
The Gallatin River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 120 miles long in the U.S. states of Wyoming and Montana. It is one of three rivers, along with the Jefferson and Madison that meet near Three Forks, Montana, to form the Missouri River.
It starts in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, in northwestern Wyoming, in the Gallatin Range of the Rocky Mountains. It flows northwest through Gallatin National Forest, past Big Sky, Montana, and joins the Jefferson and Madison approximately 30 miles northwest of Bozeman.
This is primarily a walk/wade river that has a couple of different forks that provide great fishing for a beginner or an experienced angler. A typical day on the Gallatin will consist of walking the river at various access points or wading a few mile section between access point to get a little more off the beaten path. You will normally spend just about one or two days on this river to show off the beautiful country, river and fish before we move into the larger rivers in drift boats.The Gallatin River hosts one of the best whitewater runs in the Yellowstone-Teton area. In June, when the snowmelt is released from the mountains, the river has a class IV section called the Mad Mile. This section contains continuous stretches of challenging whitewater. Rafting companies offer trips on this river - on the Mad Mile Section as well as other, less challenging sections. The river is a Class I water from Taylor’s fork to its confluence with the Missouri.
The Gallatin River is an amazingly scenic river - winding through high alpine meadows, dropping into the rocky Gallatin Canyon, and flowing out into the Gallatin Valley. It is an exceptionally popular fly fishing destination for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.
From where Route 191 meets up with the Gallatin, to the town of Big Sky in Montana, the river is a narrow and shallow. This skinny section of river flows through a canyon which opens up as it approaches Big Sky. The Gallatin has a good number of trout which are a little smaller in this section. The fish tend to be less selective than the fish below Big Sky. Many access points dot this stretch of river along Route 191. Below Big Sky, the river flows for approximately twenty miles before reaching the end of the Gallatin Canyon. The canyon in this section is steep and rocky, but access is fairly easy. The river doubles in size as it plunges past large freestone boulders. Swift riffles and runs broken up by long pools characterize this stretch. Every year the salmon fly hatch is greeted in this area by many anglers.
After leaving the canyon, the Gallatin River flows for several more miles before reaching the confluence of the East Gallatin River. The river slows in pace as it flows through flat agricultural land. Here, the river braids and warms during the summer months. Brown trout become your target of choice. Trophy browns are caught each year throughout this stretch on a variety of flies from hoppers to salmon flies and big streamer patterns.
Below where the East Gallatin enters, the river flows for a few more miles before reaching the Missouri River in Three Forks, Montana. This is the best section for floating. The river wanders through big slow pools, gentle riffles, and runs. There’s a good resident fish population. In the spring and fall, big Missouri River trout migrate here to spawn.
- LIVE HELP
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RATES
Rates for the Gallatin River
- $450 / day, 2 anglers max
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Full day on the river
- Daily boat use
- Rods
- Reels
- Terminal Tackle – Tippet, Weight, etc…
- All Flies
- Lunch
- Bottled Water
- Sodas
- River Shuttle
- Round Trip Transportation to and from river
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellant
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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- MT fishing license
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Waders/Boots
- Guide Gratuities
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions/Cancellation and Refund Policies
Once Castafly Travel, LLC receives a deposit or final payment for any type of trip, it is anacknowledgment and agreement by the client to all Terms and Conditions and Cancellation and Refund policies:
Non-refundable deposits and payment.
Your payment for a trip is non-refundable, regardless of the means for payment, be it credit card, cash or check.
Deposits
Unless otherwise noted by the vendor,- 50% of the total package price per angler/trip package is due to Castafly Travel, LLC within 14 days of initial booking. This deposit will secure all reservations.
- The balance or full payment of package price per angler/trip package is due to Castafly Travel, LLC at least 90 days before first day of scheduled trip
- Castafly Travel, LLC reseves the right to charge a service fee of $100 for any changes to the reservation after initial booking.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Unless otherwised noted by the vendor,- All cancellations for any type of trip must be made in writing to Castafly Travel, LLC. Castafly Travel, LLC reserves the right to charge a service fee of $100 for any cancellations of any type of reservation.
- Cancellation outside of 90 days prior to scheduled departure – 90% of deposit or payment refund or transfer of funds to another scheduled time or another angler.
- Cancellation between 60 and 90 days prior to scheduled departure - 70% of deposit or payment refund or transfer of funds to another scheduled time or another angler.
- Cancellation between 30 and 60 days prior to scheduled departure – 60% of deposit or payment refund or transfer of funds to another scheduled time or another angler.
- Cancellation 30 days or less prior to scheduled departure – No refund of deposit or final payment.
Trip cancellation insurance and evacuation insurance.
Because your deposit and other payment is non-refundable, Castafly Travel, LLC suggests you consider trip and medical evacuation insurance. This insurance is the best way to avoid losing your deposit due to unanticipated circumstances or emergencies. Because Castafly Travel, LLC has no ability to control your deposit onceit is forwarded to the respective lodge, outfitter, etc., we have developed a relationship with Sportsman’s Travel Insurance.
We also recommend trip evacuation/rescue insurance with Global Rescue, a medical and security evacuation service. We strongly urge to consider these types of insurance, be it with Sportsman’s Travel, Global Rescue, or some other trip and medical evacuation insurance company. A brochure for each company is included in your pre-trip planning package.
Castafly Travel, LLC is merely an agent.
Castafly Travel, LLC and its affiliated companies and agents act only as agents for contractors or owners and outfitters, hotels, airlines, shipowners, and charter air carriers providing means of transportation or other services. All tickets, vouchers and contracts of such hotels, airlines, outfitters, lodges, operators and owners are issued subject to any and all tariffs, terms and conditions under which such accommodations, means of transportation or other services are offered or provided, and the issuance and acceptance of any such tickets, vouchers and contracts shall be deemed to be consent to their further conditions.
Castafly Travel, LLC and any of its affiliated or associated companies or agents shall not be or become liable or responsible in any way in connection with such hotels or lodges, means of transportation or other services, or for any loss, injury or damage to or in respect to any person or property however caused or arising out of your vacation booked through our company.
Itinerary alterations.
Castafly Travel reserves the right to make such alterations in the itinerary as it deems in its discretion, necessary or desirable, to refuse to accept or retain as a member of the party any person at any time (in such case refund will be based on the actual cost of the unfinished portion of tour) and to pass on to tour clients expenditures caused by delays or offense beyond our control.
Cancellation.
Castafly Travel, LLC reserves the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the client.
Prices subject to change.
All prices are subject to change without notice.
Baggage and personal effects.
Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no member or agent of Castafly Travel, LLC or its agents, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation -
HATCHES
InsectSizeDate RangeMidge16,18,20,22Jan. 1 to Dec. 31PMD14,16,18,20July 1 to August 31Grasshoppers2,4,6,8July 15 to Oct. 5Golden Stone4,6,8June 1 to July 15Green Drake10,12,14,16June 15 to July 31Western Gr. Drake10,12,14,16June 15 to July 31Baetis16,18,20March 15 to May 16Caddis14,16,18March 15 to Oct. 15Salmonfly4,6,8May 5 to July 5Mahogany Dun14,16Sept 5 to Oct. 20
- WEATHER