Looking for insight into fishing the Gallatin river above Big Sky MT up to Swan Creek Campground. This will be an early June trip so I know things could be a little fast and stained.

Not sure about this early June, but I will bet you money that you will have to stay up stream of the Taylor's Fork. This tributary is bad about dumping mud into the river during run off. There is good fish upstream of there. From the T fork to Yellowstone park should fish well. Don't forget you are not far from the madison which is a tailwater and will be fishing great at that time with only a few hundred of your closest friends.

I would be afraid that "fast and stained" might not describe it. I am afraid it could be "dangerous and muddy". I hope I am wrong and that you have a great trip. I would just not force my self to stay in one spot. The park (madison and fire hole) should be fishing good at that time.

Bill
Thank you. I plan to start in the park on the Upper Fire Hole and work my way to the Maddison. I am staying in West Yellowstone for 4 days then moving on to the upper Gallatin near Swan Creek campground. I would like to fish the upper Gallatin in the park one day also. I had heard the Taylor could cause a bit of a problem. I have talked with the guys at Blue Ribbon Flies. I don't mind taking a little walk each day to get away from the masses. Hopefully uncle griz will be chasing elk calves in the high meadows.

We were in the park the second week of June last summer. The Fire Hole was already starting to get too warm. The Gibbons River was fishing better than the Fire Hole while we were there and it's not much farther up the road.

It's a great place. Have fun!

From what I hear, the first parking lot on the upstream end of the Gallitin. (The one that sits back off the road 100yrds or so and where the river first comes to the road.) I have been told if you walk up stream of there the river will appear to be wide enough to step across. Then it opens up in to a meadow and the river is much like the gibbon river in the park. Might be worth a .5 mile walk to check out. The taylor fishes good later in the year but it can sure be a torn in your side early in the year.