Smith River Montana - When to fish?

[whacker1]

Anyone ever fished the Smith in Montana?

I am trying to figure out when it is best to fish it?  I have few weeks to turn in my application.  It appears based on the launch statistics that the launch traffic picks up in mid-April and builds to a peak in June and then tapers off in early July.  sounds like it gets too low to float in the later part of July.

I am looking for any insight as to when the fishing is best and when the floating levels are usually best.  Ideally we would like to use drift boats, but if the fishing quality and water level dictates Cat-a-rafts or Rafts, we are more than willing to adapt as needed. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jackelope]

i don't know that specific river but typically april=stoneflies, may-june=salmonflies and that would explain the peak floats being then.
the fish go nuts for the salmonfly hatch...kinda like deer in the rut.

have you looked at bigskyfishing.com? usually some good info there.

[Intruder]

Tough call.  Water levels and weather are tricky and make planning for fishing harder.  As you said, summer water conditions (low, warm) make fishing and floating not so good.  Ya almost have to look at it as a float trip first and just look at the fishing as a bonus.  There are places that will "market" trips as fishing but in reality it's kinda hit or miss.  I'm not positive but pre-runoff(mid-late May) might be the most consistant time.

[whacker1]

I will look up bigskyfishing - I haven't thus far.

thank you

[high country]

my friend fishes that every year. spends about 4 days on the river. my understanding is that you want to leave as early in the morning as possible to get the best camp sites. they go in june.there was an article in one of the mt magazines with a smith river pictorial.....I think it was november that I saw it.