LOCATION
Central Montana

SEASON
May through July, and September (conditions permitting)

CAPACITY
Group sizes on the Smith can vary, but are generally limited to eight people per launch date.

SPECIES
Brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout

GENERAL INFORMATION
A fully-guided float trip on the pristine, protected, and isolated waters of the Smith is one of the most unique angling experiences found anywhere in the continental U.S. This deluxe wilderness trip covers 60 miles as it winds its way through the scenic and remote Smith River Canyon.

LENGTH OF STAY
This deluxe wilderness trip covers 60 miles as it winds its way through the scenic and remote Smith River Canyon. Depending on your preference, this can be a five or six day trip.

THE FISHING
The character of the Smith River is diverse, offering anglers everything from wide riffles and deep pools to shallow flats, undercut cliff walls and quiet backwaters. The river drops over 1,000 feet in elevation during the 60-mile stretch, creating as wide a variety of trout habitat as one can imagine. While the Smith is primarily a brown trout fishery, there are healthy populations of rainbows as well. Fish will average 14”-16” with the occasional 18”-24” fish landed. While releasing 30 fish in a day is common, many anglers find that the fishing runs second to the overall atmosphere and beauty of the river and the canyon walls.

Since this is a natural freestone river, the insect populations are numerous and diverse. Everything from the smallest trico mayfly to the legendary salmonfly thrive in the wild waters of the Smith. The season’s major hatches begin with the famous "salmon fly" stoneflies in mid-May. These hummingbird-sized salmon flies are quickly followed by the large golden stones, which continue through the month of June. At the end of June, the Smith is often graced with a prolific brown drake hatch. These majestic mayflies are giant (typically a size 8 or 10) and stand an inch tall on the water. They hatch in the afternoon and transition into an impressive spinner fall at sundown. Some anglers have been known to rush through dinner and skip dessert, beckoned back to the water by the unmistakable "gulping" sounds coming from fish feeding on evening drakes. July hatches are primarily dominated by hoppers and cicadas, and the dry fly fishing continues to be fantastic. While it seems that this is a river custom-made for big dry flies, smaller hatches are always present to fill in the gaps. Blue winged olives, pale morning duns and many different types of caddis will have you matching the hatch and casting dries on a constant basis. If anglers are willing, subsurface fishing can also be very productive. Nymphing and bugger fishing can really produce numbers, with some of the biggest fish of the year falling for surprisingly large streamers. There is nothing quite as exciting as witnessing a monster brown give in to his voracious carnivore tendencies to chase a big streamer to the surface!

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
On your Smith adventure, you will float-fish the river two anglers per boat in Avon rafts custom-outfitted for flyfishing. Gear and equipment boats are included as part of the package.

THE LODGING
When you arrive in camp at the end of each day, spacious two-person tents are already pitched, camp is set up, and the drinks are ready. A hearty and delicious streamside dinner will provide the perfect end to a day in the wilderness. Stare into the campfire, enjoy a glass of wine, and think about the rises of the day, the “one that got away,” and the hook-ups to come in the morning. Swap stories with your friends and watch the last flicker of sunset slip below the cliffs of the river canyon.

RATES & DETAILS 2009
Five day/five night float trip:  $3500/per person
Six day/six night float trip:     $4000/per person

WHAT’S INCLUDED
Rate package for all Smith River trips includes airport pick up in Helena, transfers to and from the river, incoming nights lodging at a local B&B, all camp accommodations in the river corridor, meals, beer, wine, basic bar, river usage fees, and all flies.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
State fishing license, sleeping bag, extra vehicle shuttle costs (optional if you have your own vehicle,) gratuities for guides, outgoing nights lodging and any other transportation costs are not included.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to us within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

HOW TO GET THERE
If your plan is to fly to Montana on a commercial airline, we recommend that you make reservations as soon as possible once you have firm river dates. You'll want to fly into Helena, Montana the day before your first scheduled river day. Try to schedule a flight that arrives in the afternoon. Delta (Sky West) and Horizon both service the Helena Airport. A representative from the Smith River crew will be at the airport to meet you when you arrive. Your first stop will be to get fishing licenses and any other last minute things you might need. Then you will head from Helena to White Sulphur Springs, where there will be a room waiting for at a local bed and breakfast. The following morning you will begin your 60-mile expedition down the Smith!

On the last day of the trip you will usually be off the river between one and three in the afternoon. Most of anglers make reservations to stay overnight in either Helena or Great Falls after their last day on the river, with plans to fly home the following morning. Once off the river at the Eden Bridge take-out, you are approximately one hour from Great Falls, two hours from Helena, and about three hours from Missoula. We recommend you make reservations in Great Falls at either the Holiday Inn (406-727-7200) or the Best Western Heritage Inn (406-761-1900), or in Helena by calling the Wingate Inn (406-449-3000). All have excellent accommodations and a shuttle service to the airport. If, however, you will be driving and want your car waiting for you when you get off the river, we can arrange to have it shuttled for you.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Montana fishing licenses are available at all area fly shops and sporting goods stores, or by logging on to the following website: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES
While the Smith is a great angling adventure, non-anglers will no doubt enjoy the trip just as much. Wildlife is abundant throughout the river corridor. Nesting waterfowl patrol the banks of the river as migratory songbirds search the bushes and the sky for an unsuspecting stonefly. A mid-day hike in the foothills may be rewarded with the treasure of a "shed" elk or deer antler. Although there are no grizzly bears in this part of the state, a sighting of a black bear in its blond color phase may have you convinced otherwise. Hiking, eating great food, reading and – above all – relaxing are all important elements of this trip!

Reisen

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