The Smith River Expedition
Put on by Healing Waters Lodge is 5 days of an epic adventure, floating 60 miles downriver on a pristine trout filled waters. Cutting through limestone cliffs the size of skyscrapers. The rough and rugged landscape of the Smith River is the perfect backdrop for exceptional fly fishing. Transporting you to areas that recall the true wilds as if you woke up alongside Lewis and Clark as they ventured out west. These waters have the potential to yield Rainbows and Browns over 20” during the day, while the milky way lights up the sky at night.
Of 73 commercial permitted trips available each year on the Smith, Lewis & Clark Expeditions is the largest outfitter on the river. This translates into more available and flexible trip dates we can offer our clients. The expedition runs from the beginning of May through the beginning of July and they book up fast.
The Smith River winds through protected national forest lands as well as private holding largely untouched by man. As you cast out your line you will be absorbed in a truly picturesque setting while living one of the ultimate fly-fishing experiences.
Whether you are a novice, journeymen or master caster you will be supported by our world class guides. Our Montana-based guides have years of experience on the Smith River making them the best assets, source of wisdom and extensive knowledge base for our customers on their journey down river.
Fishing the Smith River
The emphasis of our trips is on fly-fishing, with each bend beckoning the angler to tempt a trout to the fly. Anglers have a 50/50 split between rainbow and brown trout with the average size being 13″ (an average size for a Montana trout that inhabits a freestone stream). However, there is very healthy population of trout in the 16-18 inch range and enough 20-inch trout to keep you actively engaged in each cast.
Your Experience on the Smith River
Transportation from your lodging in Helena to Camp Baker, the trip departure point on the river. Take out is 59 river miles to Eden Bridge, where we will take you and your gear back to your lodging. We also have a partnered shuttle service who can bring your vehicle down to the take out point, so it is ready for you. There is an additional charge for this, as it is via a 3rd party.
Each day, our experienced guides will float you down a section of river for a great day of fishing, provide lunch, snacks and refreshments, and at the end of the day arrive at our camp. Freshly made hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and refreshments await you, followed by an amazing restaurant quality dinner prepared for you by our talented staff, by the river side.
All meals are prepared fresh each day and include fresh fruits and vegetables; full breakfasts and lunches. For dinner: soups and salads; entrees include fish, pork, chicken and beef; you can also look forward to a variety of desserts. Drinking water, fruit juice, milk, teach coffee, pop, beer and wine are provided as well. We can accommodate special dietary restrictions and preferences by making arrangements with us at least two weeks prior to your trip. Please be sure to fill out your Questionnaire for the Smith Expedition.
Our staff prepares the camp for you each day with tents (individual or shared, your choice), cots, therma-rest pads, transport your personal gear; solar showers are also available, dining table, chairs, and campfires.
As you wait for your rod to bend, you can take in the natural beauty of the Smith River, which perhaps, is best known for its extraordinary limestone canyon walls. There will be plenty of chances to stop and wade fish, take photos of wildlife, check out the points of interest (caves and pictographs) and admire the landscape as you float downstream.
Tips for Fishing the Smith River
A good guide is the most important thing to have on the Smith, they are your short cut to fly fishing success. Lewis & Clark Expeditions has good guides who love what they do and know the Smith River and the techniques you need to catch fish.
Respond to what the water dictates. Listen and watch the river, if you don’t see insects on the water, nor, do you see any feeding fish, the odds are that dry fly fishing is not going to be productive. Perhaps try a large attractor or some sort of terrestrial like a grasshopper; but, ant or beetle imitation may not work but hints at that possibility of another approach. Be open to nymph fishing and casting streamers when the river is saying, “The trout are underneath the surface.”
Spring on the Smith is the combination of high, discolored water along with periods of clearing waters. The high water comes from runoff occurring at different elevations. You can be fishing the Smith in 70-degree weather in May using dry flies and 24 hours later the river is high and discolored. Discolored water leads to San Juan Worms (although a San Juan Worm is good anytime and anyplace) and also leads to fishing with solid dark patterns for nymphs and streamers as trout will distinguish a solid shape quicker.
The Smith River is a free stone stream with very healthy stonefly populations. Mother’s Day produces caddis hatches and Salmon flies emerge around Memorial Day. Golden Stoneflies are more prolific emerging June 15 through the first week of July, followed by PMD’s in late June and a hit and miss Green Drake Hatch. We also have years where Cicadas take over the river.