smith-river

Smith River is a river in Montana.

It ranks #13 among the 17 waters of Montana in the registry, and is of national prominence.

Also called The Smith.

Fished for trout (inferred from the species listed).

Species: rainbow trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish.

USGS GNIS record: 790736.

Camp Baker (access). It is launchable. FWP: put-in. Permit (lottery) required to launch. Also called Camp Baker put-in.

Eden Bridge (access). It is launchable. FWP: take-out. Also called Eden Bridge take-out.

Float: Smith River float, from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge, 59 miles.

Sourced from 2 independent fly sites.

Sources: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, missoulianangler.com and Montana Angler.

Hatches

Blue-Winged Olive

Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar hatching
  4. Apr hatching
  5. May hatching
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Late March to May, then again mid-September into October (fall listed separately). Best on overcast days, particularly below the Rock Creek confluence down to Deep Creek; size 14-16 in spring, 16-22 in fall.

Sources: Montana Angler

Caddis

Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr hatching
  5. May hatching, peak
  6. Jun hatching, peak
  7. Jul hatching, peak
  8. Aug hatching
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Peak: strong early May, June, July

Evening hatches in late summer; nymphs active year-round (size 10-22).

Sources: Montana Angler

Pale Morning Dun

Stage: nymph, dun. Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun hatching
  7. Jul hatching
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

58F; size 14-16, mostly 16.

Sources: Montana Angler

Salmonfly

Stage: nymph, adult. Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May hatching, peak
  6. Jun hatching, peak
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Peak: late May or early June

Depends on runoff; 54-58F; size 4-8; may coincide with runoff.

Sources: Montana Angler

October Caddis

Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep hatching
  10. Oct hatching
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

As early as late September, typically peaking late October; sporadic; size 8-10.

Sources: Montana Angler

Grasshoppers, ants and beetles

Stage: adult. Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul hatching, peak
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Peak: dominate diet by late July

Hoppers size 8-12, ants and beetles 14-18; strong terrestrial fishing extends into fall.

Sources: Montana Angler

Blue-Winged Olive (fall)

Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep hatching
  10. Oct hatching
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Size 16-22.

Sources: Montana Angler

Yellow Sally

Stage: nymph, adult. Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun hatching
  7. Jul hatching
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Nymphs active from early June; adults early June well into July; size 8-16.

Sources: Montana Angler

Spruce Moth

Stage: adult. Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul hatching
  8. Aug hatching
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Size 14-16; terrestrial.

Sources: Montana Angler

Brown Drake / Green Drake

Stage: adult. Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun hatching
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Water near 55F; brown drakes outnumber greens; size 14, some 12 and 16.

Sources: Montana Angler

Golden Stonefly

Stage: adult. Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun hatching
  7. Jul hatching
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Some years only; size 8-12.

Sources: Montana Angler

Western March Brown

Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr hatching
  5. May hatching
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Sporadic; needs overcast, 44-48F water and light wind; size 12-16, mostly 14.

Sources: Montana Angler

Trico

Stage: spinner. Well sourced.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul hatching
  8. Aug hatching
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Minor hatch, at sunrise.

Sources: Montana Angler

Also named, timing not yet researched: Skwala.

Access, closures and rules change; check with the state agency before you go.