The Smith River is one of the most well known blue ribbon trout rivers in Montana. The Smith River is formed near the town of White Sulphur Springs, MT. Access to the river is somewhat limited as the river primarily flows through private property until entering the Missouri River near Ulm, MT. The most popular way to access the river is by floating it. The Smith River requires a float permit from the state. A lottery is held every spring to award permits to those lucky enough to draw them.
Best Fly: Pats Rubber Legs
Water Conditions: Dropping, good vis.
Weather Conditions: Sunny, some wind
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished: Baker- Eden Bridge
Just spent 6 days on the river. The fishing and water conditions improved as we got lower and lower on the river. High was a bit colored and the fishing was marginal. Lower, the water is nice and green and getting closer to its normal levels. Fish are very selective on drys. Caught a couple small fish on attractors around Indian Springs but from there it was mainly subsurface. Some morning and evening brown drake hatches had the fish looking up. But other than that, rubber legs and yellow sallys. The wind really picked up a few days and made the fishing difficult. Great trip!! That river is amazing!!
Best Fly: pat's rubber legs
Water Conditions: still dropping, better vis lower on the river
Weather Conditions: sunny
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished: Camp Baker -> Eden Bridge
Just got off the smith yesterday and we had a great week. We spent 5 nights and had our better fishing on the last 3 days. Not as much dry fly as I would’ve thought as the river got more clear and stabilized, but did have some looking up to drakes and golden stones. Our best bug by far was pat’s rubber legs in brown size 6. Yellow/orange was working too. The king prince, pheasant tails, and yellow sally droppers were all fooling fish consistently. We had good luck with streamers as well – anything yellow… flesh eating sculpin, jj special, sunrise sculpzilla, etc. Fish are moving back into typical water now that the river is coming down, but some are still in some not-so-typical water so be sure to fish different water than usual. What a great week on the Smith!