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The Smith River is a tributary of the Missouri River located in central Montana. It rises in southern Meagher County in the Castle Mountains and flows northwest in the valley between the Big Belt and Little Belt mountains, past White Sulphur Springs and past Smith River State Park. It turns north-northwest (NNW), and is joined by Hound Creek in Cascade County, and joins the Missouri approximately 9 miles southwest of Great Falls. Described by some as “one long riffle with hundreds of small pools,” the Smith is easily negotiated by a novice, shallow enough to wade, and warm enough to swim in until early fall. Since the Smith River is a natural freestone river as opposed to a tailwater, the insect populations found are as diverse as the river itself. Everything from the smallest trico mayfly to the great salmon fly stonefly thrives throughout the river system.

Great fishing, amazing scenery, and a remote setting combine to make a trip on the Smith River an unforgettable experience. With one put-in point and one take-out point, the 60-mile stretch of river is accessible only by canoe, raft, or drift boat when river flows allow.

The float season varies widely depending on snow pack, rainfall, and amount and timing of irrigation. The typical float season is from mid-April through mid-July, with some occasional floating opportunities in September and October. Picking the time to arrive on the Smith River is a difficult if not impossible proposition. As a result, anglers are best advised to choose a date that works for them, hoping that nature cooperates during the time of their float trip. Even if water conditions aren't ideal for fishing, a float down the Smith River is still time well spent. Although 18” fish are frequently encountered, and 20 to 30 trout released in a day is not uncommon, the fishing for many anglers is secondary to the overall atmosphere and beauty of the river.

The Smith River is alone among other Montana Rivers, in that all parties wishing to float the Smith River need a permit. Because the river became so popular, it was being loved to death and overfished. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks established a lottery system that limits the number of recreational and commercial boat launches. Peak usage on the 57-mile stretch between Camp Baker and the takeout at Eden Bridge occurs during May and June, so it takes some luck to secure an individual permit. That’s where outfitters like Mike Geary fit into the equation. They have permits, boats and tents, and offer the knowledge of experienced guides.

Castafly Travel works with Mike Geary to gain you access to this pristine river. Mike has more commercial permits to float this river than any other outfitter. 

According to Mike,

"The Smith River is the best combination of floating, fishing and camping in the lower United States. The Smith immerses the angler in the river music and mystical light through 60 miles of free flowing water, isolated canyon walls and trout. The river dances in riffles, beebops over gravelly bottoms, swirls in discordant riffs creating random eddies as it improvises its way downstream.

The primary goals of his business are providing the finest in staff, equipment and cuisine. His guides, cargo crew and kitchen staff all work diligently on your behalf providing a safe, comfortable and clean camp. On each trip you will be well served with years of river experience both guiding and camping.

On every Smith River trip, we provide guides, self bailing rafts, flies, leaders, cots, tents, thermo-rest pads, showers, wine, beer, bottled water, sodas. We take particular pride in our cuisine hoping to both surprise and delight the palate."

Headwaters to Camp Baker Fishing Access Site

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. 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 surrounding the river. 

Access is very difficult on this section, however, as only a handful of access spots exist. Since it’s within state land, camping opportunities exist. The Smith River Fishing Access Site, which lies nine miles upstream from Camp Baker, provides the best access. From here, a wade angler can wander up and down the Smith River and is likely to encounter few fishermen once away from the main camping areas.

Brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout are found on this section. Both the rainbow and brook trout tend to be quite small. Brown trout, however, average over twelve inches. The brown trout will be found in the scattered deep pools and around undercut banks.

When fly fishing the deep holes, large streamer patterns, such as wooly buggers, work very well. Small caddis hatches occur on this section, allowing the dry fly fisherman to fish on top with standard dry fly imitations, such as the Elk Hair Caddis. The Smith River flows through excellent hopper country. Hopper imitations work well from mid-July well into September.

After the Smith River emerges from this small canyon, it continues twisting and turning through private land across a 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.

Camp Baker Access to Eden Bridge Access

Beginning at Camp Baker, the most popular access point, the Smith River enters beautiful canyon country. Forested hills, towering rock walls and open meadows make for an incredibly beautiful float in a pristine setting. The river twists and turns repeatedly in the canyon section. Its narrow width can make floating a challenge at times. No whitewater is found on the Smith River other than a small Class II rapid that is easily managed.

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 end of the journey for most floaters. While the Smith River is flowing in the prairie, the river itself is still located down in a beautiful canyon, with cottonwood trees and brush lining its banks.

Eden Bridge to Missouri River

Below Eden Bridge, the quality of the trout fishing drops noticeably. The slower river flows, combined with warmer water, limits trout fishing. Large brown trout can still be found in this section, although their numbers will be limited.

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 visit this stretch, making for a great float for those seeking solitude.


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 visit this stretch, making for a great float for those seeking solitude.

Fishing

The Smith River is an excellent river for both brown trout and rainbow trout and hold lots of fish between 13 to 16 inches. What the Smith River lacks in very large trout, however, it makes up in relative ease of catching trout. Unlike many other popular Montana rivers, fly fishing the Smith River does not require precise fly imitations, light leaders and perfect presentation.

This section of the Smith River has both large populations of brown trout and rainbow trout, with brown trout generally out-numbering the rainbow populations. The largest fish in the river will also be found in this section.

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 runoff has subsided to some extent, allowing the river to begin to clear. However, a heavy mountain snowpack 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.

For the fly fisherman willing to brave the elements, April can provide for excellent fishing. Strong stonefly hatches occur in the Smith River generally beginning in mid to late April and last through the middle of May. Fly patterns for this hatch include the standard Elk Hair Caddis for dry fly fishing and the Prince Nymph for sub-surface fishing, in sizes 10 to 14.

The Smith River has a strong salmonfly hatch that occurs beginning in mid-May and can last through June, depending on weather and river conditions. Popular fly imitations include the Stimulator, Kaufmann's Stone and Bitch Creek Nymph, in sizes 4-8.
Beginning in the middle of June and lasting throughout the summer, the Smith River is an excellent river for dry fly fishing for rainbow trout using standard caddisfly imitations, such as the Elk Hair Caddis and X-Caddis, in sizes 14-18. Generally, the caddisfly hatches occur in the early morning and again later in the evening. While top water fishing using standard dry flies may not catch the largest trout in the river, it is very effective and can land many decent sized trout.

For anglers in search of brown trout, the numerous deep pools in the Smith River provide wonderful places to catch the larger fish. One of the most effective ways to catch larger trout is with a large wooly bugger or streamer pattern, working them down in the deep pools. Also work them around any undercut banks and around obstructions in the river.

Beginning in July, and continuing into September, terrestrials become very important, especially during the middle of the day. Hopper imitations are very effective on the Smith River. Float the hoppers along the banks, particularly where the banks are brushy or grassy. When the river narrows as flows subside, floating a hopper right down the middle of the river can also be effective.
If river flows allow, fishing on this stretch during the fall is an excellent time to catch the larger brown trout. The water level should be up somewhat from later in summer as irrigation subsides. Cooler water temperature increases fish activity. Work streamers and wooly buggers in the holes and around undercut banks and obstructions. Hoppers also work in the middle of the day.