Smith
River : Fly Fishing & Overview.gif)
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The Smith
River is one of the finest rivers in Montana. Superb fishing,
gorgeous scenery and a very remote setting combine to make
a Montana fly fishing trip on the Smith River an unforgettable
experience.
 Unfortunately,
gaining access to the river can be a bit of a problem. The
Smith River flows through private land for almost its entire
distance. Wade fishing is difficult on the Smith River due
to a lack of fishing access sites. As a result, the most popular
and effective way to fish the Smith River is by canoe
or raft.
However, the Smith
River is alone among other Montana Rivers, in that all parties
wishing to float the Smith River need a permit. A drawing
for the permit is held each February, with a limit of 9 float
parties allowed to put in on the river on any given day. As
a result, while access to the Smith River is difficult, the
regulations moderate fishing pressure and allow for very long
floats in relative solitude.
The Smith River
begins near White Sulphur Springs, Montana, at the confluence
of the North and South Fork Smith River. The river then twists
and turns for more than 100 miles through remote and scenic
landscapes before spilling into the Missouri
River near Ulm, Montana.
The upper section
of the Smith River, between its origin and above the Smith
River Fishing Access Site, flows through gently rolling prairie,
flanked by the tall peaks of the Big
Belt Mountains and Little Belt Mountains. It is beautiful
country, with sweeping wide-open vistas and incredible views.
Other than the small town of White Sulphur Springs, the area
is also very remote. Agricultural fields surround the river
in this section, with extensive brush along its bank. A number
of pools are also found on this stretch. Generally, the Smith
River flows at a slow to moderate pace in this section, depending
on water levels.
 Just
upstream from the Smith River fishing access site, the river
twists and turns through a small canyon. The canyon, while
small compared to the canyons found further downstream, is
beautiful, with small, wooded hills flanking the river. As
the canyon lies within state land, excellent access and camping
exist.
After the Smith
River emerges from this small canyon, it continues twisting
and turning through private land across the broad valley,
with agricultural fields lining the riverbanks. The river
travels in this fashion for nine miles until reaching the
Camp Baker Fishing Access Site, which is the most popular
put-in spot.
Beginning at Camp
Baker, the Smith River enters beautiful canyon country. Forested
hills, towering rock walls and open meadows make for an exceptionally
beautiful float in a relatively pristine setting. The river
twists and turns extensively in the canyon section, and its
narrow width can make floating a challenge at times. Happily,
no whitewater is found on the Smith River other than a small
Class II rapid that is easily managed. The flows of the river
in this section vary from slow to moderate, depending on river
levels.
The Smith River
leaves the mountains behind and flows into the prairie about
10 miles upstream from the Eden Bridge Fishing Access Site,
which is the next access site downstream from Camp Baker,
a distance of more than sixty miles. While the Smith River
is flowing in the prairie, the river itself is still located
down in a canyon, with cottonwood trees and brush lining its
banks.
Below Eden Bridge
Fishing Access Site, the Smith River slows down considerably
as it makes its way through the prairie towards the Missouri
River. Agricultural fields and ranch land border the river,
with cottonwood trees marking the rivers path through the
prairie.
Next : Fly
Fishing the Smith River
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