When you are tired of the Smith River in Montana you are tired of life. This is bastardizing Samuel Johnson’s thoughts on London but it is apropos when referring to the Smith River. 2019 will be our 26th year of outfitting on the Smith River making us the oldest and largest outfitter (we own 26 of 73 commercial […]
Continue reading "Fly Fishing In Southwest Montana" »Category: Float Fishing
Whether you are on our guided trip floating for 60 miles down the Smith River or staying at Healing Waters Lodge and headed out for the day on the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Jefferson, or Madison, float fishing is the name of the game. Our guides use hard boats and rafts, depending on their preference and what the rivers dictate. One advantage of float fishing is maximizing coverage of available water and increasing your angling opportunities. Our experienced guides have it all going on simultaneously: navigating the boat, guiding the anglers, and searching for opportunities down stream. When float fishing, guides position the boat giving the angler the best possible opportunity at landing a cast in the best possible place. Float fishing can cover as much river as you want, from put in to take out, a half-day to all day, to a really long day, it is all negotiable and doable. Walk-wading is always an option during your float trip. Often times, there are islands, banks and channels to explore, your guide can stop and park and anglers can work a section.
Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana
Taking Leave of a Friend Chuck Robbins (L) Chuck Robbins was a guide, author, conservationist, husband and father, and a friend. Chuck treaded gently on the land that he loved and gave more than he got. He was an ardent conservationist working to maintain public lands, clean water and wild trout. Chuck was a man of dignity, […]
Continue reading "Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana" »Fly Fishing Southwest Montana
I thought about writing a goofy newsletter with space ships, Elvis sightings, J. Edgar Hoover singing Tighten Up with Archie Bell and Drells; but, my medication kicked in. I did have an image of the actor John Malkovich fly fishing in something called the Vegomatic. The Vegomatic was a set of headphones, wrap around sun […]
Continue reading "Fly Fishing Southwest Montana" »Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana
Montana Snow pack map indicates, at this point in time, the Smith River corridor and southwest Montana snow pack evaluations are in good shape as far as snow pack percentages. Storms with additional precipitation are in the forecast and we feel very optimistic about the upcoming fly fishing season. February 23-25: Mike is hosting our booth […]
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After a month on the road throughout Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia, peddling our Montana fly fishing vacations, Mike returned home safely this week. Being the bold man of action that he is, Mike rests not; and therefore, we invite you to join us at the following events: February 23-24-25, The Fly Fishing Show, Pleasanton, California: […]
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Shape-Shifters Fly Fishing In Montana We spent the holidays bingeing on TV. The world appears to be consumed by vampires, zombies, shape-shifters, warlocks, witches and extraterrestrials. Not bad if you’re describing the political class but as a fly fisherman I seek a soft stream with gentle riffles and quiet rising fish. The following is the […]
Continue reading "Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana" »Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana
Mike packed our Subaru Outback with a 42 inch flat screen, a booth display, his laptop, and a box of brochures; then, he headed out before daylight this morning on what he calls his “Willy Loman Southern Sales Tour” peddling our fly fishing vacations. Mike will be doing presentations at the following listed locations: January […]
Continue reading "Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana" »Fly Fishing the Smith River in Montana
The Smith River is immersion therapy for anyone that wants to get a feel for Montana 50 years ago. The floating part of the canyon is 60 miles with two public access points. You embark from Camp Baker outside of White Sulphur Springs, which has been described as looking like a hooker without makeup. You […]
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Generally, April and May, prior to run-off, finds Montana’s rivers low with warming water temperatures. With growing activity and no pressure on the rivers, nymph and streamer fishing excels, with occasional dry fly action on the top. The month of June brings out the heavy Stone Flies on the Big Hole and the Madison. Big flies appear after the waters […]
Continue reading "Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana" »Fly Fishing in Southwest Montana
The Smith River is located in central Montana heading north toward Great Falls, and eventually blending into the Missouri River. Montana’s department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has approximately 60 river miles designated as a state park, surrounded by state and federal lands and dotted with private land as well. Each year, the Parks department […]
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