Fishing the Smith River in central Montana is one of the most anticipated Montana fishing trips of the year. The river’s 60-mile journey from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge features carefully managed floating and camping regulations. Only a few outfitters are specially permitted on this river and private/public trips are also regulated. The Smith River is a tributary of the Missouri River and boasts a variety of trout species, a breathtaking canyon, and remote access.
Here are Five Top Tips for Fishing Montana’s Smith River
Embrace dirty water. The prime fishing and floating season on the Smith River occurs in May and June. These months also coincide with snowmelt runoff and spring rains. Unlike many other Montana rivers and creeks, brown and off-color or muddy water on the Smith River doesn’t hinder the appetite of trout in the river. Smith River trout continue to feed in dirty water; in fact, many Montana fly fishing guides prefer fishing the Smith River when the water is dirty.
Choose large flies. With abundant habitat to grow large trout, the Smith River is home to trophy brown trout as well as good-sized rainbow trout. Additionally, the river has healthy populations of stoneflies, sculpins, crayfish, and aquatic worms. Because large brown trout are predatory in nature and the available food sources on the Smith River tend to run large, fish flies a little larger than you what you might expect on small freestones. Streamers in sizes 2 and 4, nymphs in sizes 8 and 10, and dry flies in sizes 6 and 8 are go-to sizes.
Learn a reach cast. Most of the fishing on the Smith River occurs while floating in a boat. Getting the most from each cast is amplified while floating. Mastering a reach cast allows your fly to land in the feeding zone with the line upstream, keeping the fly in position longer. The best way to make a reach cast is after you stop the rod on your forward cast, create an extended follow-through by allowing your arm to cross your body. This puts a mend in the line before it even lands on the water.
Practice tying perfect knots…before you go. The opportunity to float and fish the Smith River doesn’t come around all the time. In fact, some lifelong Montana residents may only float the Smith River once in their lifetime. Before you go practice and perfect your knot tying. Knots to know before you fish the Smith River are the clinch knot, double-surgeon’s, blood knot, and non-slip mono loop.
Take it all in. The Smith River’s remote and rugged canyon is one of the most beautiful in Montana. With towering limestone canyon walls and densely forested hillsides the scenery often trumps the fishing. Even if the fishing is red-hot—which often occurs on the Smith River—be sure to take a break from casting to tasty trout lie after even tastier trout lie, to gander and be amazed.
Because of the strict permit system, fishing pressure on the Smith is much lighter than on other major Montana rivers. Both rainbow and brown trout are present in good numbers, and fish over 20" can be common. Floating and fishing on the Smith River generally takes place in May, June, early July, and September, so be sure to use these Top Five Tips for Fishing the Smith River the next time you are lucky enough to fish and float it.