It’s time once again to file your permit lottery entry for one of Montana’s true gems – the Smith River’s multi-day float from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge. This is still one of the best lower 48 remote area floats around.
The game is pretty much the same as last year; you have roughly 6 weeks (3 January through 16 February 2017) to file your permit; there’s a $10 nonrefundable application fee. The Super Permit Lottery is in place this year as well. You can still apply online, mail it in, or even swing by an FWP office and do it in person.
You pick three dates and in all probability have better odds outside the peak / prime float season which runs from 15 May through 15 July; flows get skinny in soft water years (snowpack is off to a good start but there’s a lot of weather to come – or not – before the float season begins 13 March and the season’s snowpack is laid in by late May / June).
Permit Information and Key Dates.
Git ‘er done.
