since many of the lucky lottery winners simply enjoy the river without fishing. Outfitted staff pay $25/trip, and clients are $100/trip. The bill authorized Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to manage floating along 61 miles of the popular waterway between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge. ©2021 Montana Trout UnlimitedWebsite Created by Studio Verde Creative. There is one trip that the entire Yellow Dog team looks forward to every spring, a trip that many of us Montanans consider the best trip of the year – the Smith River float. species, and yellow sallies. an issue as early as the last week of June. On days where the weather is cool but stable and still warm The permit is awarded through a lottery. fishing by casting huge foam patterns along the cliff walls. boaters for a late fall trip – it all depends on water levels. the peak of the emergence in mid May. system operated by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. When MRO delivers rafts they are inflated and river ready at the put in. Otherwise, floaters can go with a commercial outfitter. Designated campsites along the river are leased by FWP from landowners, or owned by the Forest Service or DNRC. Outfitters pay $200/trip. It is also possible to obtain a permit by contacting the Parks Division about cancellations. Prospective floaters can send in an unlimited number at $5 each to the Parks Division. The river along this reach has been a popular floating destination for generations of Montanans. On low water years, warmer water temperatures can become Info. Walk-on floaters can grab open spots if a group fails to show for their launch. The A cave high on the cliff along the Smith River is worth hiking up to to see its contained pictographs. Photo: FSNR / Flickr The run on the Smith River is a mellow 4-day float through a beautiful, remote canyon in western Montana. Mid July through early September Each application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $10 fee. window even if it is a low water year, but fishing may shut off early as you most productive fishing trips are in May, and lucky anglers can experience some success on the larger pre-spawn browns by stripping large streamers through the Several hatches occur all through the spring, lasting all the way into mid-June, and provide for excellent nymph fishing. below-average snow years. Fly fishing the Smith River, one will … water” where the river current is slower, such as the insides of bends or in Rubberlegs, San Juan Worms, Zonkers, crayfish, and a few smaller Princes or Copper Shopping. The Smith coincide with the hatch sync with rising flows, so trout are usually targeting But the Blackfoot is a beautiful river, Bitterroot seems to have a little more whitewater from what I remember. What are the odds of Montanans getting a permit to float the Smith River? the river is generally on the rise, as air temperatures warm, and floating is I've read that scoring a Smith permit is equivalent to nabbing a private permit to float the Colorado through the GC. USFS putting in some cold early-season hours on the Smith River. fishing opportunities, though. This a truly great time Montana's Smith River Spring: April and May Spring is a great time to target for a float on the Smith River. Around mid-September, irrigators No more than nine parties can launch per day, including commercial outfitters. Generally when The Smith River is without a doubt a very special place, and one of the handful of rivers in the United States that requires a permit to float. early July. The popular dates are in June when run off is typically over and the water levels aren't too low which requires you to drag your raft across many sections. Most How do you get a permit to float the Smith River? The Smith River, Central Montana Jeff Jones / Flickr Start at the Smith River Access Site and float the nine miles to Camp Baker. Party size is limited to 15 people. with odds as high as 3,000:1. peak earlier than on other systems in Montana. of the river’s thickest hatches during this window. dates in this window since the odds are good you will not be able to use your bring rain or even snow, so it pays to watch the weather carefully and make small but floatable river that winds its way through a limestone canyon that In recent years, FWP wardens have had to kill black bears that were frequenting camps along the Smith, the result of a lack of education among floaters on proper food storage. launch date. Date: June 22, 2017 Author: bigskywalker 0 Comments. This will take you most of the day, but it … June, the river most years has started to stabilize and on a lower-water year and private users. Parks Division staff have proposed a range of developments in recent years, ranging from creating a full-blown campground at Camp Baker, to paving portions of both sites to accommodate facilities for camp hosts. strict permit system on the Smith ensures that there is limited fishing Generally by mid-June, the river is on a steady decline, with flows dropping stable or dropping in the spring months, fishing is nearly always fantastic and River flows in April can be somewhat unpredictable: if weather is colder and the water is still locked up in the … Drop off of boats and gear at the put in is $225 and pick up at take out is $100. salmonfly hatch happens earlier on the Smith than on other Montana waters, with While April is far from the ideal time to float the river, this makes it an easier time to win a permit in the lottery system. Matthew Bean | Fly Fishing, Whitewater | 1,317 views . The river is managed on a permit system and you must apply for launch dates. guided guests need to book trips months or even years in advance and private Peak Season Waiting Period – A person who receives a permit through the lottery for a launch date during the time period of May 15 through July 15 (peak season) will not be allowed … Smith River Float A Fun Trip on one of Montana's Iconic Rivers Early June, 2016 Camp Baker to Canyon Depth Click on any image for a larger view; Contact garya at this domain if you would like the high quality image for printing . Do you have ties to Montana or how did the Smith spark your interest? The parks board rejected these ideas, opting instead to require all floaters to have expensive, certified bear-proof containers, or, to store food at camps in hot wire corrals. Floating the Smith River Montana (Shortened) - Family Rafting Adventure with Kids - YouTube. Running the river in spring means dealing with fickle Montana weather, so … The A citizen’s advisory council makes recommendations on recreational management. stoneflies often produce the first dry-fly fishing of the season. The Smith is a smaller volume drainage, so most floaters and anglers target the spring and early summer, when flows are at Your email address will not be published. With the famed Madison River in Montana such a short drive away, we made certain that we took time to fish it. Dry-fly fishing over the salmonfly hatch When is the best time to float? Guided trips for these dates often book of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). You never really know exactly what type of conditions you will experience until your trip arrives, so it is best not to overthink dates. within the river and fishing is tougher. The Smith River starts in the mountains and flows through a thousand foot limestone canyon before spills out onto the prairies. Our favorite time of year to experience this river is in the Spring. in water levels. the large nymphs. as the higher flows help to keep water temps at a comfortable level for trout. persistent anglers can still put some trout in the net. Many of our most productive fishing trips are in May, and lucky anglers can experience some of the river’s thickest hatches during this window. Fall can be a spectacular time to fish the Smith, with Summary The Smith is a special river and offers anglers and floaters many faces depending on the time of year, snow levels, and rainfall. hour. Best Time to Fish the Smith River. In April, Skwala “ We had the best time Clay our guide was AWESOME the water rafting was soooo exciting Ally was fun but very informative on rules.JUST THE BEST !!!! The mother of all Montana river trips is the Smith, a 60 mile, permit only canyon. Yes, each year Parks issues a “Super Permit” to float the Smith. spectacular, with a blend of lush meadows, towering limestone cliff walls, and The bill resulted in FWP creating the only limited-entry permit system for floating a Montana river. often just as good as late June. may even be dropping. All of the land along the river is privately owned, or, owned by the U.S. Forest Service, or, it is a trust-land tract managed by the Montana Dept. Though bearproof containers might very well be necessary for certain camps, acquiring them could mean Montanans of limited means, which once comprised most of the use on the river, might not be able to afford floating the Smith. Floating the Smith requires a permit, and I haven't drawn one for quite some time… On an average water year, this is typically one of the best dry-fly However, in fall But in practicality it is a virtual state park. Promotion of floating the Smith has increased significantly in recent years. enough to keep the hatch going, lucky anglers can experience some amazing dry-fly The seams behind large rocks. Is anything new in store for Smith River management? May is one of our favorite months. The for hoppers on sunny days or blue-winged olives on rainy or snowy Beginning in 2016 floaters will be required to have bear-proof food storage containers on the Smith in the future. Landowners along the Smith are each allowed 6 trips a year outside of the reach associated with their property. Outfitters are allotted a small number of the overall launches during the high-use season. My first time fishing Montana was something of a revelation. The first day was tough as it can often be on new water, but the evening hatch more than made up for it. Written by: Brian McGeehan, Montana Angler Fly Fishing. Applicants can apply only once. chance that flows will be high enough to get down the river for experienced Are there other ways to float the Smith River, besides applying through the general lottery? The fishing can also be superb, under the often some of the best of the season, with strong trout and high catch rates. My friend and I decided to go float the Smith River at the end of October, and it turned out to be more of adventure than we thought, but well worth it! the flows are right you have the entire canyon to yourself this time of year. You can realistically do the trip in two nights if you’re in a hurry, but that means being on the water dark to dark, all day long. Float trips generally take 3-5 days. mayflies (blue-winged olives). Spring is a great time to target for a float on the Smith River. Call Now! The family and I have run the Smith River a couple of times with other families, while utilizing a local outfitter to haul gear, stage camps, and cook the meals. Early June will be when you plan your trip. Higher flows this time of year generally rule out dry-fly Copy link. Most of the revenue collected from Smith River applicants and users goes to the general budget of the Parks Division. If you are flexible and willing to roll the dice, a fall float can be a special experience. The highlight of the Smith River trip was a short, steep hike to a pictograph cave. of midsummer dates we do not book trips in this window. somewhat unpredictable: if weather is colder and the water is still locked up Fall is often a dry time of year but a few fronts may begin to move that Due to the uncertainty My buddy and I were on a weeklong camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. Increasingly, more people float in April and the first half of May. No more than nine parties can launch per day, including commercial outfitters. Montana TU proposed a more affordable approach, including parks staff installing bear-proof boxes at camps where bears are known to frequent, and complimenting them with permanent poles with pulley systems for hanging food and garbage. Any given launch date on the Smith holds prospects for high-quality fly fishing, sure to bring cold-weather gear based on the forecast. run the risk that the river will be too low to run a trip. There is no age restriction to participate on a Smith River float trip. A small portion must be dedicated to the Smith River Corridor Enhancement Account, which is dedicated to preserving, protecting and restoring the natural values of the Smith River. to enjoy some high-quality dry-fly fishing, if you are lucky enough to catch dense stands of evergreen forests. Click here to view Montana State Parks’ Biennial Smith River Rule. bigger runs. Rowers and paddlers should have at least intermediate level skills. Responding to landowner concerns about impacts caused by recreational floating, the Montana Legislature passed the Smith River Management Act in 1989. On average water years, right conditions, and the river offers a healthy population of wild brown and The cost per non-resident floater 13 years of age and older is $60. smaller drainage and lower elevation mountains that feed the Smith, river flows Congratulations on getting the chance to float Montana’s amazing Smith River! Montana’s Smith River is a true gem. Plus, an early-season trip MONTANA TROUT UNLIMITED312 N Higgins Ave, STE 200Missoula, MT 59802. Most rates for a 5-day float generally run around $4,000 per person plus tip (go here http://stateparks.mt.gov/smith-river and click the “Authorized Smith River Outfitters” tab to find an outfitter). Permits for private floats on the Smith River are allocated to the public via a lottery system prior to the spring season. Details on restrictions and how to apply can be found at http://stateparks.mt.gov/smith-river under the “Permits” tab. Last year over 6,000 people applied for 1,000 permits and that number seems to grow each year. It does not have to be spent on Smith River management. Watch later. ensures that water temperatures will still be cold. Not good, and getting increasingly worse. Copyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. This is also a good time of year to see fewer crowds, on what can be a busy river … Due largely in part because the low amount of water shortens the window of opportunity. and enjoy it) and requires extensive dragging of boats. River flows in April can be Many of our crown jewel of Montana’s off-the-beaten path fisheries, the Smith River is a The earliest you are allowed to sign-in for registration is 7:30am on the day prior to your launch. Mid-September through October In general, if you are planning far in advance, your safest bet is to target May and June dates when you can count on enough water to float. Required fields are marked *. The odds of getting a cancelled permit during good conditions during the high-use season are increased if floaters don’t need much lead time before launching. When the river is Smith River Float Trip » Pro Outfitters Blog. depends on the stability of the flows, though. Usually by June the high water of spring run-off has subsided and the … windows on the Smith. Floating … Water temps are also rising quickly, which kicks off another round of The river remains clear and fishable during these times of spring run-off and high water. Man, I miss those mountain rivers. Low flows usually limit floating after mid-July. Accessing the middle of the canyon is a challenge, and the best When the river is rising fast and gaining hundreds of cubic feet per can often obtain a cancellation date for midsummer. Getting Here: Helena Regional Airport is the most convenient airport for our Smith River guests to use. A person applying for a Smith River permit must be a minimum of 12 years of age at the time they submit their permit application. Fall trips are always a gamble on the Smith, and some years early May, anytime heavy cloud cover and wet weather arrives. Sixty one miles of legendary fishing. Party size is limited to 15 people. toughest spring conditions occur when the river is rising rapidly, due to hot Due to the extremely light fishing pressure and ideal water temperatures. more than a year in advance. The odds percentage of getting a permit in the lottery during the high-use season is now in the single digits. Low flows usually limit floating after mid-July. There is no fee, unless their party includes a guest or non-immediate family member. On average, visitors take four days to float the river. Lower flows and long days can also days. For private users, this is the most difficult time to win the lottery system, Pictographs are found in some locations on the Smith River cliff walls. If flows are higher (over 800 cfs), look for trout in “soft That means the best time to float the river is May through June, sometimes into early July. Since 1856. www.grammarly.com. turn off their head gates, which often results in a small but meaningful bump On good snow years, good fishing can extend deep into Summer on the Smith is definitely hit or miss when it comes to fishing and floating to early July The … in the snowpack, there is some risk that flows will be too low to float. This translates into more available and flexible trip dates we can offer our clients. The last page of the document includes a Pre-Arrival Questionnaire for your float trip and will aid us in preparing for your arrival and trip down the Smith River. The Smith River River Advisory Council reviews proposals from the Parks Division to increase development at Camp Baker and Eden Bridge. users apply in February, it is impossible to know what the river conditions Peak flows on the Smith generally occur in late May or early June. Of 73 commercially permitted trips available each year on the Smith, Lewis & Clark Expeditions is the largest outfitter on the river. May launches are also popular times ,since higher flows ensure easy I grew up in SW Montana so I spent all my time on the Jefferson, Madison and Big Hole Rivers. The fee is $7.50. Johns will suffice. The idea was spawned this past winter to get a group together to put into the lottery for a permit on Montana’s Smith River. We also wash every car at our facility and can even do some minor repairs. 12,000+ people are in line for 2,500 permits. Smith River Float with the HHS Outdoors Club . This is one of the most variable times of the generally easy. the flows are sometimes too low to successfully navigate the canyon via boat. (Helena, MT) – Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) announced today that permit applications to float Smith River State Park in 2018 will be available Tuesday, January 2 through Thursday, February 15, 2018.The permit drawing will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Although the weather is not always ideal, April provides excellent fishing along the Smith River. early summer window is one of the most sought-after times to obtain a launch. 1-866-500-3522 1699 Millegan Road Great Falls, MT 59405. Strictly regulated by limited guide and access permits and only accessibly … The Smith River in central Montana is arguably the most scenic, family-friendly, and productive fishery for a multi-day float trip in the lower 48. Oftentimes, the water temps that weather producing rapid snowmelt or heavy rains. While flows are high in early This is the time of year for big ugly patterns, the river is still too low to effectively float. Increasingly, more people float in April and the first half of May. Smith River trips are 60 miles of adventure, floating for five days and camping for four nights. the Smith. Please help us safeguard Montana's Smith River. Pro Tips: Seasons of Montana’s Smith River | Fishing Window - Latest Fishing Blogs Posts, Pro Tips: Seasons of Montana's Smith River - FishingsBest, Pro Tips: Seasons of Montana’s Smith River | Online Fishing Expert. Rafting the Smith River in Montana. Even in tough conditions, though, The high-use season is May 15 to July 15. The bed of the river, like all navigable rivers in Montana, is owned by the State and managed in trust by DNRC. Since campsite designation is based on a first-come, first-served basis most floaters prefer to arrive at Camp Baker the day before their launch to “get in line” for registration. Fall is a quiet time in the Smith River canyon. May is a perfect time to intercept some of the heaviest spring hatches, temperatures drop to near ideal levels for trout. Celebrated for its spectacular scenery, remote location and excellent trout fishing, the Smith River is one of Montana… The scenery is On a good water year, early July fishing can be fantastic Typically, 14 members are allowed to each group and campsites are chosen the day of the launch (4 night maximum). Spring is a great time to target for a float on the Smith River. is the only river in Montana that requires a permit for all outfitted guests flows are generally tolerated well by the trout, and fishing remains good to The State of Montana only allows a limited number of permits to float the river each year. Rafting Montana. the river often drops to levels too low to effectively float (at least to float The Smith River in eastern Montana is known as a great multi-day float trip. Quite frankly I’m not much of a rafter, nor am I a fisherman – but I am smart enough to know that you don’t pass on a chance to float the Smith River. Smith River shuttles for vehicles from put in to take out are $120 per vehicle. The Smith generally has some “color” to the water for most of season, and fishing conditions can change from day to day and even hour to

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