Floating the Smith River, Montana

[Occidental]

This may also qualify as a trip report, but since it is more about our float than the trip in the camper there and back I'll post in the 'floating' category instead. I'm a bit late to getting this writeup done (we took another float after this one), but better late than never.

The Smith is a smaller river in Montana nestled between the Big and Little Belt Mountains. If you don't float you may not have heard about it. If you do float, you know this is the most coveted multi-day float in Montana.

Either way, I hope you enjoy the scenery and tale of the trip, which can be found here: Scenery and Storms on the Smith River, Montana – Occidentalist

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

That is some special country! Thanks for letting us tag along!

 

[ski3pin]

What a delightful trip story! Your final sentence is perfect.

 

[Taku]

Have floated the Smith in all kinds of weather and water. still a great place. Glad you had a good trip!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Did you catch any fish?
Beautiful area.
Thanks for sharing.
Frank

 

[Occidental]

We didn't actually fish on this trip. It's the first time I've floated a river and didn't fish in my life. With the flows high and silty and the out of state fees being very high it didn't seem worth it. After talking to a lot of people about fishing/catching including a guided group I don't regret not fishing this time around.

 

[Vic Harder]

lovely trip report.

 

[goinoregon]

Good for you to grab a permit - and too bad for the weather. We went with friends about 3 yrs ago in april - unfortunately we were just prior to decent spring runoff, and the water level was loooow, the entire trip. we were dragging the boat over many many shoals. ugh - i can feel it now . we had ok weather. the scenery is INCREDIBLE. we had rain here and there - but on the last night it cooled off, and started snowing.... ended up packing the gear in the snow, and drifting out in the snow - which was a first for me. anyways - your post brought back good memories. we stopped at the private ranch... whose name escapes me, and we had ice cream, and mixed drinks ! another first for me on a river trip. thx for posting. go

 

[Occidental]

We had friends that went when it was low and they said the same thing, the shoals were torture. It seems tricky to hit the ideal flows on the Smith, given the permit system. I guess I'll take high over too low.

I have not experienced snow on the river, that would be a bit surreal.

The ranch you are trying to remember is Heaven on Earth. The cocktail they serve there is named the Deep Creek (they also run an outfitting business called Deep Creek Outfitters). I've been Deep Creeked before, as well as played a round of golf there, but no cocktails or golf this time around. In addition to the cold weather, prices have gotten too steep for me. A round of golf with two cocktails is now $75, an ice cream sandwich is $9 and the real shocker, a shower is $18. Too steep for me, we bought a 2025 sticker (couldn't pass on that as I have one from 2018 and 2020 as well) and floated on.

 

[Taku]

yep - the Smith used to be easily runnable in the fall - decades ago! used to canoe it and either have warm sunny weather or get snowed on and paddle like heck to get out. Some friends got frozen in on the river once. Big cold front and the river got to ice jammed to boat. It is a wild weather place

 

[h2opup]

Wow - Beautiful story and photos. What a special float. I especially love the changing moods of the clouds and skies. Thanks for sharing.