Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Smith River Montana
The North and South Forks of the Smith River flow
together near the little town of White Sulfur Springs,
Montana, forming the main river. From there, it flows well
over a hundred miles before its confluence with the
Missouri River. The river lies between the Little and Big
Belt mountain ranges and flows mostly through open
prairie.
The first forty miles of the river can be accessed at the
Smith River public fishing access. It is located about 9
miles upstream from the main put-in point at Camp Baker
that begins the sixty mile float section. The river is rather
small and shallow in its upper section. It can be waded
up or downstream from the Smith River access but most
all of it flows through privately owned land
The only way you can fish very much of the Smith River,
is to float it. We have not been able to do that. You have
to draw a permit to fish the river. It is the only river in
Montana that has this requirement. This website
provides the details. The section of the river that falls
under this rule is sixty miles long. There are remote
campsites along the river, but it has no access via a
public road throughout the entire sixty miles. It has one
public put-in and one public take-out. This can mean a
four or five day float trip.
The boats that are used by the outfitters are rubber
rafts. The reason for this, we are told, is that the curves
and boulders in the canyon sections of the river would
destroy a wooden drift boat. It is not a fast water river as
such. Its flows are rather moderately at normal water
levels. Never-the-less, we are told the canyon sections
can be tricky to maneuver. The flows vary greatly
depending on the amount of rainfall.
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Smith River depends on the water levels
more than anything else.
Spring:
Springtime fishing is purely at the mercy of Mother
Nature. Heavy snowpacks mean the river may stay high
from runoff well into June.
Summer:
The latter part of June can be good, July is normally
good and low water conditions normally affect August in
a bad way.
Fall:
Early fall can also be affected by low water. If the water
levels are suitable, fishing can be good.
Fly Fishing Guide to Smith River
The best way to fish the river is to get lucky and obtain a
permit and drift it. (Click Here To Continue)
The North and South Forks of the Smith River flow
together near the little town of White Sulfur Springs,
Montana, forming the main river. From there, it flows well
over a hundred miles before its confluence with the
Missouri River. The river lies between the Little and Big
Belt mountain ranges and flows mostly through open
prairie.
The first forty miles of the river can be accessed at the
Smith River public fishing access. It is located about 9
miles upstream from the main put-in point at Camp Baker
that begins the sixty mile float section. The river is rather
small and shallow in its upper section. It can be waded
up or downstream from the Smith River access but most
all of it flows through privately owned land
The only way you can fish very much of the Smith River,
is to float it. We have not been able to do that. You have
to draw a permit to fish the river. It is the only river in
Montana that has this requirement. This website
provides the details. The section of the river that falls
under this rule is sixty miles long. There are remote
campsites along the river, but it has no access via a
public road throughout the entire sixty miles. It has one
public put-in and one public take-out. This can mean a
four or five day float trip.
The boats that are used by the outfitters are rubber
rafts. The reason for this, we are told, is that the curves
and boulders in the canyon sections of the river would
destroy a wooden drift boat. It is not a fast water river as
such. Its flows are rather moderately at normal water
levels. Never-the-less, we are told the canyon sections
can be tricky to maneuver. The flows vary greatly
depending on the amount of rainfall.
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Smith River depends on the water levels
more than anything else.
Spring:
Springtime fishing is purely at the mercy of Mother
Nature. Heavy snowpacks mean the river may stay high
from runoff well into June.
Summer:
The latter part of June can be good, July is normally
good and low water conditions normally affect August in
a bad way.
Fall:
Early fall can also be affected by low water. If the water
levels are suitable, fishing can be good.
Fly Fishing Guide to Smith River
The best way to fish the river is to get lucky and obtain a
permit and drift it. (Click Here To Continue)
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Brook Trout (Wild Trout) Size Medium - over 118 miles long Location Southwestern Montana Nearest Towns White Sulphur Springs Season 3rd Sat. May - Nov 30th Access: Poor Non-Resident License State of Montana Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Smith River Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data Real Time USGS Data Montana Float Map of River |
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Smith River Montana
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |