Don,
A couple of years ago I was fortunate enough to have a chance to float that
great river. We did the float earlier in the year and the water conditions
were very low and the snowmelt just starting which through the color off
enough to spoil the fishing.
We went with a large group that included some very interesting folks from
Montana that made the trip most enjoyable. The river is not technically
difficult other than one set you will encounter the morning of your last
day.
The campsites are very nicely laid out and spaced appropriately. However, I
understand that during the peak season, you will have a tough time getting
the campsites you want. I think they have a method of reservations for each
site, but I may be mistaken.
Your pontoon boat will be the right craft for the river as my aluminum Willy
boat was like a bull in a china shop. You could hear me banging down the
river from a mile away! Bring lots of film, the scenery is spectacular.
-Dave
-------------------------------------------------------
David Weitl mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Poulsbo, Washington WA Statewide Fishing Reports
http://www.nwfishing.com
"The gods do not deduct from a man's allotted span
the hours spent in fishing"
-- Babylonian Proverb
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Claridge Claridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2000 3:06 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Floating the Smith River
Hi,
In two weeks I'm going to be floating the Smith River in Montana. It's
approximately a 60 mile float that will require us to carry everything we
need with us for 4-5 days and we plan to use our pontoon boats - I have a
River Otter. Having not used the boat for overnight travel before and with
time getting shorter, it just occurred to me that I should have asked before
if anyone has any tips for carrying provisions on a pontoon boat. I plan to
take in one dry bag my sleeping bag, tent, back packing stove, water
filter, dried food and some clothes. Also plan to carry an extra oar and
rod/reel. One person in the party will have a larger river raft and has
said she would carry such things as a shovel, axe, and some of our bags.
Has anyone done this before and any suggestions?
By the way, I live in Spokane and fly fish whenever and wherever I can.
Unfortunately, I have to travel all over the US every week so most of my
excursions are limited to Eastern WA, Northern Idaho, Western Montana, and
sometimes British Columbia. I've been receiving your mail for the past year
and have found it to be quite interesting, but haven't contributed before
today.
Thanks for any replies,
Don Claridge
