Smith River Questions
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Derek Young
Steelhead
Hope you have water, I've been twice with flows at 1500+ and 244. It's already a low-water year for that watershed, below 100% SWE.
I've got an invite for a May 24 trip this year.
The first trip in 2012 was quick days with a layover day, the second being a cold October 2019 trip (pics attached) with great fishing on day 4 of 5. You'll be working with the Camp Baker Ranger for camp site reservations based on group size. There are some preferred sites (Paradise, Lower Givens are my hope-for's) but there are a few poor camp sites so try to avoid those. There's a wealth of information on Google from Outfitters and others on running the Smith.
Derek
I've got an invite for a May 24 trip this year.
The first trip in 2012 was quick days with a layover day, the second being a cold October 2019 trip (pics attached) with great fishing on day 4 of 5. You'll be working with the Camp Baker Ranger for camp site reservations based on group size. There are some preferred sites (Paradise, Lower Givens are my hope-for's) but there are a few poor camp sites so try to avoid those. There's a wealth of information on Google from Outfitters and others on running the Smith.
Derek
Attachments
Thanks Derek! I got July 3 and my buddy got Sep 30. I'll do some more online research with the outfitters in mind.
RCF
Life of the Party
X2 - hope you have water. My BIL has had trips cancelled due to low water...
swimmy
An honest tune with a lingering lead
Congrats! My friends drew June 12 and I got an invite. But my dad and his buddy are coming to town and I'm taking them fishing for a couple of days elsewhere.
Two things to consider:
1. As others have mentioned, it will be low. If you can even go, have a canoe on standby. I had late June 3 or 4 years ago and we had to cancel due to flows. This year is looking very similar.
2. If you do go, be ready for weeds...and lots of em. They will be breaking off and floating down the river making for an absolute mess. While the dry fly bite can be incredible this time of year, landing a fish in this is damn near impossible. The Beaverhead during late summer is very similar.
You might also just have a back-up plan for a totally different trip. Send me a pm if you want some ideas.
Two things to consider:
1. As others have mentioned, it will be low. If you can even go, have a canoe on standby. I had late June 3 or 4 years ago and we had to cancel due to flows. This year is looking very similar.
2. If you do go, be ready for weeds...and lots of em. They will be breaking off and floating down the river making for an absolute mess. While the dry fly bite can be incredible this time of year, landing a fish in this is damn near impossible. The Beaverhead during late summer is very similar.
You might also just have a back-up plan for a totally different trip. Send me a pm if you want some ideas.
I've done the Smith 8 times since permit system was established in the early 1990's, but not since present level of regulations and restrictions have been in effect. Experience is similar to what others are reporting-----of the 8 trips all in late June, 1 had water level low enough that we had to walk the boats (all rafts) through the rock garden a few miles downriver from Camp Baker. That trip, however, was one of the best for fishing since water temps were just right for hatches to occur it seemed every day. Also had 2 trips with high water due to severe 2-day storms just before our put-in dates. Spent most days trying to slow the boats down and find slow water near the banks! July 3 may be low water, but if there's enough to get through the first 9 miles to Rock Creek campground, you might have great fishing the rest of the way!
Good luck!
Bob
swimmy
An honest tune with a lingering lead
Here are minimum flows I've always used. Sure, you can do it at less but will probably mean more dragging. After a few days, that gets old.
Drift boat - 350 cfs
Raft - 250
Canoe - 150
I pulled one for 5/2, hoping maybe with a low snow year (although a lot can change in March and April) could play to our advantage with an earlier and less chaotic runoff…at least that’s what I’m telling myself. We’ll have folks coming from multiple states so keeping a close eye on snow levels. Have never floated it, hoping things work out.
Right on! Be sure to let us know how it was, please.
Just a note that Camp Baker is at an elevation of 4400 feet and snow can "happen' especially on the earlier in the season floats so check the long range forecast and pack accordingly.
A number of years ago a friend did a late April float and they got a foot of heavy overnight snow that collapsed their tents.
Hard to believe that this was me 35 years ago, I've grayed a bit since then.
Also allow enough time each day for camp setup & breakdown, meal prep, etc. rather than rushing your trip.
I've turned down some invites where guys wanted to blow through it in three days.
To all that were lucky enough to draw a permit, enjoy your trip.
A number of years ago a friend did a late April float and they got a foot of heavy overnight snow that collapsed their tents.
Hard to believe that this was me 35 years ago, I've grayed a bit since then.
Also allow enough time each day for camp setup & breakdown, meal prep, etc. rather than rushing your trip.
I've turned down some invites where guys wanted to blow through it in three days.
To all that were lucky enough to draw a permit, enjoy your trip.
Craig Pablo
Smolt
congratulations on getting a permit. As of right now, snowpack is low in Montana except for the northwest part of the state. While it is concerning, it isn't cause for alarm yet. Flows can be very skinny in July even in an average year so my advice is to keep an eye on snowpack and spring precipitation.
The one time I was lucky enough to float it, it was late May, flows were great, river was a little off color but dropping every day and we had perfect weather, some clouds, some sun and highs in the 70's, lows in the 40's. My buddy launched the day we took out. Their first day was nice, second morning they woke to 8" of snow, and spent the rest of the time with rain/snow mix, highs in the 30's and low 40's, and lows in the teens and 20's. As for the trip itself, there are no "bad" campgrounds, it's just a matter of deciding if you want longer floats on the early or late part of the trip.
Enjoy!
The one time I was lucky enough to float it, it was late May, flows were great, river was a little off color but dropping every day and we had perfect weather, some clouds, some sun and highs in the 70's, lows in the 40's. My buddy launched the day we took out. Their first day was nice, second morning they woke to 8" of snow, and spent the rest of the time with rain/snow mix, highs in the 30's and low 40's, and lows in the teens and 20's. As for the trip itself, there are no "bad" campgrounds, it's just a matter of deciding if you want longer floats on the early or late part of the trip.
Enjoy!
Will do and likewise to you. I’ll be coming from my son’s hockey tourney in MN and will require a lot of up front planning so hoping the flows are agreeable. We might be in a runoff situation and I’d rather have that than cancel due to low flows.
swimmy
An honest tune with a lingering lead
5/2 will be good fishing. Weather could be a little iffy so heads up.
FYI, the Smith gets the earliest salmon fly hatch in the State. Usually they start showing up early to mid May. You might see them on the lower river day 4 or 5.
This trip was May 24 launch and we got 'em in the Canyon.
FYI, the Smith gets the earliest salmon fly hatch in the State. Usually they start showing up early to mid May. You might see them on the lower river day 4 or 5.
This trip was May 24 launch and we got 'em in the Canyon.
swimmy
An honest tune with a lingering lead
Usually run off peaks late May and into June. In big water years it can be sketchy.
I don't think run-off will be a problem with your date. Sure, you might have off color and a little higher flows but no biggie.
If you need company on the trip, I know a guy...
Whats the fishing like on this float when conditions line up perfectly? Is it just other worldly? Or is the appeal more to do with the beauty of the area and doing a float so limited to humans and all that?
swimmy
An honest tune with a lingering lead
IMO, it is the entire experience. First, float camping is fun as fuck. I love waking up knowing that all I have to do is float a river and rope trout.
Fishing is usually good, even during run off. You might have to fish sub-surface but you can find 'em. 20 to 40 fish days are not uncommon.
The scenery is second to none
The camps are sick
And after a full day of fishing I love finally getting into camp, settling in, bullshitting about the day, cooking dinner, throwing baseball, and just enjoying time with friends.
Yeah, it is kind of the whole package.
Right On!!! thanks for the info and pics! I can't wait, even if the flows suck and it snows we'll have a blast! This past year has been difficult to say the least, and a trip like this is long over due!
Also, a big tip of the cap to Montana State Fish and Game! The amount of info accessible from their web site on the Smith is crazy! Wish WA put that kind of effort in...
Also, a big tip of the cap to Montana State Fish and Game! The amount of info accessible from their web site on the Smith is crazy! Wish WA put that kind of effort in...
swimmy
An honest tune with a lingering lead
Here is a great resource.
Nice! I love check lists!
