With several thousand miles of rivers snaking across the state, Montana is a tempting place to visit for float trips. Many rivers offer multi-night floats in remote areas, such as the Smith River.

Montana also has superb floats for day trips. Some day floats might consist of nothing but flat, swift water teaming with wild trout. Other floats pass through wild rapids that tempt the most daring and skilled kayakers and rafters.

Since floating, whether for recreational purposes or for fly fishing, is such a popular activity in Montana, I’ve put together this guide to paddling gear.

To purpose of this guide is to explore the different types of paddling gear available and provide suggestions on which gear floaters might want to buy, based on their own particular floating needs.

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Paddling Gear