Smith River : Paddling & Rafting.gif)
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 Except
during high water, the upper stretch of the Smith River, between
its origin and Camp Baker Access Site, is generally not possible.
For the floater who must put in on this section, it is advised
to put in at the Smith River Access Site and float down the
nine miles to Camp Baker. Depending on river levels, this
trip can take several hours to an entire day.
From Camp Baker
downstream to Eden Bridge Access Site is where the vast majority
of floats occur. In order to float this section, though, a
permit is needed. Additionally, the flows of the Smith River
are erratic, to say the least, and fluctuate greatly from
year to year. Low flows, so low that floating is not possible,
can occur at virtually any time, depending on the whims of
Mother Nature and irrigation demands. Moreover, during high
water or after heavy rains, the Smith River will run murky
and turbid, severely limiting fishing possibilities, although
it makes floating much easier. As a result, planning the best
time to visit the Smith River can be sort of a crapshoot,
especially since it has to be planned months in advance due
to the permitting requirement.
Broadly speaking,
the best time to float the Smith River is in June, although
it is by no means guaranteed. Usually by June the high water
due to spring run off has subsided to some extent, allowing
the river to begin to clear. However, a heavy mountain snow
pack or a cold spring that leads to late run-off can turn
the Smith River into a raging torrent well into June, a time
when the Smith River normally starts to run low.
 Planning
a trip on the Smith River for May or July is also a possibility.
However, the flows in May can be anything from a trickle during
a cold spring to a raging, muddy maelstrom during the height
of spring run-off, which in a normal year generally occurs
in May. Come July, run-off has significantly subsided, pretty
much guaranteeing a clear river unless heavy rains occur.
However, due to irrigation demands and the lack of run-off,
the Smith River frequently becomes difficult to float in July.
During August,
the Smith River is generally not floatable. The dry summers
of the region combined with the end of run-off and heavy irrigation
demands frequently draw down the Smith River to levels well
below which are floatable.
Fall can present
unique opportunities for floaters. With some luck, the river
level has increased from late-July and August's level due
to lessening irrigation demand and fall rains. Far fewer people
will also be found on the river during this time, although
the fly fishing is usually not as good.
Finally, April
can also be an intriguing month to float the Smith River.
However, any floaters in April can run into anything from
warm sunshine to snowstorms. The river is likely to be either
quite low if a cold spring occurs, or will be increasing almost
daily to due spring-run off. However, for a floater willing
to chance the elements in April, solitude is much more likely
to be found , as use in April is way down compared to May-July.
As one can see,
picking the time to arrive on the Smith River is a difficult
if not impossible proposition. As a result, an angler is best
advised to choose a date that works for them, hoping that
Mother Nature cooperates during the time of their float trip.
And finally, even if water conditions aren't ideal for fishing,
a float down the Smith River is still time well spent.
 When
floating the stretch of river between Camp Baker and Eden
Bridge, floaters will encounter several float thru gates,
an occasional log jam, some riffles and one small Class II
rapid. Generally, the Smith River can be done by most anyone
in a canoe
or raft,
although the twisty nature of the river requires a floater
to be alert at all times.
Before floating
the Smith River, it is also important to consider the type
of boat that will be used. The Montana Fish, Wildlife and
Parks Department have established recommended minimum flow
levels for different types of boats. It is highly advised
that floaters follow these guidelines; otherwise they may
find themselves dragging their boat behind them instead of
floating in it. These levels are as follows:
Drift Boats:
350cfs
Rafts: 250cfs
Canoes: 150cfs
Montana Fish, Wildlife
and Parks has also created an excellent float map of the entire
Smith River, showing designated camp sites as well as the
locations of float-thru gates. See
Smith River Float Map.
Below Eden Bridge,
the Smith River is generally floatable even during low water.
However, the current is quite slow and the fishing becomes
poor. Few people vist this stretch, making for a great float
for those seeking solitude.
River Miles
Origin at North
and South Forks: 125
Highway 139 Bridge: 120
Fort Logan Bridge: 98
Smith
River Fishing Access Site: 91.6
Camp
Baker Fishing Access Site: 81.7
Eden
Bridge Fishing Access Site: 22.4
Truly
Take-Out Fishing Access Site: 9.5
Highway 330 Bridge Access: 3.5
Confluence with Missouri
River: 0
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