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Smith River gives Montana rafters a chilly reception

A Montana State Parks work crew gears up at the put in on the Smith River on April 22, 2011. (Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)
A Montana State Parks work crew gears up at the put in on the Smith River on April 22, 2011. (Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)

RIVER RUNNING -- Rafters on Montana's Smith River might have been getting as much use out of their snowshoes as they have out of their fishing rods this week, as the photo above indicates.

People can't predict the weather when they draw permits during the February lottery for the popular stream.

The Smith River winds through a spectacular limestone canyon in the Lewis & Clark / Helena National Forests.  The typical four day, 59-mile float offers great fishing for cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout, plus mountain whitefish. 

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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