Noted for its spectacular scenery and blue-ribbon trout fishery, the Smith River is unique in that it has only one public put-in and one public take-out for the entire 59-mile segment of river. Boat camps located along the remote river canyon help preserve the unique quality of this area. The Smith River between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge is the only river corridor managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a permitted river. Permits for private floats on the Smith River are allocated to the public via a lottery system prior to the spring season. Permit applications are typically available the first week of January each year, with an application deadline of mid-February.
Consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to get an overview of the Smith River and check for Advisories and Closures. If you don’t find all the answers you’re looking for on this web site, you can contact the Smith River State Park office in Great Falls at (406) 454-5840.
Permits
A permit is required to float the Smith River from April–October. The permit page provides detailed information about applying for a permit—including significant dates, fees, rules, and statistics.
Plan Your Float
Once you’ve obtained a permit, you can begin planning your float. The links below will assist you in that planning process.
Permit Area Float Map - This map shows land ownership and boat camps along the Smith River from Camp Baker to Eden Bridge.
Special Use Area Rule - Here are the official rules relating to the Smith River, as approved by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission.
The Smith River is a special place. As a visitor, you have the responsibility to care for the land and the fishery, as well as respect private property and the experiences of other floaters.
Leave No Trace Backcountry Ethics - To protect the pristine nature of the Smith River, it is very important recreate with minimal impact. Please practice these outdoor ethics when visiting this river corridor. Respect Private Property - Approximately 80% of the property through the Smith River corridor is private property. The success of the Smith River program depends upon cooperation with private property owners. Angler & Boating Ethics - Here are some ways in which river recreationists can avoid conflicts by being considerate and mannerly to other users.
Smith River Management Plan - To ensure that the resources are protected and the Smith River experience remains high, this plan directs the long range development and management of the river corridor.
Montana River Fishing Outfitters
Madison River Outfitters • (West Yellowstone) Native cutthroats rising for hoppers along a grassy cut bank on the Yellowstone… Big brown trout slashing at emerging caddis in a broad riffle on Montana’s Madison… Wild rainbows sipping tiny blue winged olives in a setting of incomparable beauty on the Firehole… This is just a sample of the action that takes place somewhere in our ‘backyard’ each day of the season! Madison River Outfitters, featuring an impressive selection of quality fly fishing tackle, custom flies, rugged outdoor clothing and hiking and backpacking equipment, is one of the finest fly shops in the Rocky Mountain West. We offer guide service in Montana and Yellowstone National Park and our friendly guides are committed to providing you with a great fly fishing experience on the world class fisheries surrounding West Yellowstone.
East Slope Outdoors • (Big Sky) East Slope Outdoors provides three types of guided trips, all based out of Big Sky, Montana, your Blue Ribbon River fly fishing headquarters. Whether you want to introduce yourself to the sport, hone your skills with fly fishing professional, or simply enjoy a great day on the river, you're sure to appreciate the company of our friendly expert guides.
Angler's West Flyfishing Outfitters • (Paradise Valley Montana) Big Sky Flies and Guides Outfitting Co. has merged with Angler's West Flyfishing Outfitters! We continue to offer the same fantastic guide service you've come to know and trust, and the finest selection of flyfishing equipment and quality outdoor apparrel at our Emigrant flyshop location. We are the premier Paradise Valley flyfishing outfitter. Come visit us and do so often!
The River’s Edge • (Bozeman Montana) Bozeman Montana’s premier fly fishing outfitter and fly shop. With the Gallatin, Madison, Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers a short drive away and a store that carries only the finest in fly fishing products including Simms, Winston, Sage, Ross and Galvan, we’re confident we will provide the very best Montana trout fishing experience. Come see for yourself...
Ever since society evolved to the requisite level of sophistication where someone could call themselves a fishing guide without being laughed out of the village, and someone else accumulated sufficient goats and grain to trade some for a day on the river, questions revolving around tipping have plagued and tormented anglers.
How much is enough? How much is too much? Is it too big? Is it too small? Will my guide curse my name, laughing at my inadequacy as soon as I leave the parking lot? Should I have saved some cash for my wife’s birthday instead of unloading my wallet like that?................. Rest of Story
Jeff Currier perfects trout bumming • "Local character"
Dictionary.com defines the word bum as follows: A person who avoids work and sponges on others. A loafer, a hobo, a derelict. On its own, there’s nothing flattering about the term. However, when the word trout precedes it, forming the compound – trout bum, it somehow becomes complimentary. A complimentary classification of a person who leads a lifestyle, we’d all like to live. If there's one person who exemplifies the phrase, it's Jeff Currier. In essence, Currier has somehow figured out a way to literally turn his lifestyle into his career. While Currier may well be the very definition of a "Professional Trout Bum", his exploits far exceed trout. His passion for fishing and the lifestyle he has chosen have afforded him the opportunity to chase more species than you can count in some of the world’s most exotic and remote locations. Let’s face it, Currier is a true role model for all fledgling trout bums. Rest of the article
Greater Yellowstone Region Fishing Outfitters
Fly-fisherman John Rennell fishing the South Fork of the Snake River in Swan Valley Idaho
Teton Valley Lodge • (Teton Valley ID) Matt and Brian Berry's families have ownership of the lodge. Once you visit Teton Valley Lodge you are part of our family. That is not a statement, this is how we really feel. You are the most important part of what Teton Valley Lodge is all about. We want you to love fly fishing as much as we do and as much as all those that came before us. Idaho fly fishing guiding is what we do. It's really what we've always done. The heart of Teton Valley Lodge has always been its guides. We learned how to guide from a very young age from our father. Many of our guides have been fishing for decades and some have been guiding for decades. Our goal is simple, catch as many fish as possible. We have the guides to make that goal a reality. Our home is on the Teton River but we also guide on the South Fork of the Snake River and and on the Henrys Fork.
East Slope Outdoors • (Big Sky Montana) East Slope Outdoors provides three types of guided trips, all based out of Big Sky, Montana, your Blue Ribbon River fly fishing headquarters. Whether you want to introduce yourself to the sport, hone your skills with fly fishing professional, or simply enjoy a great day on the river, you're sure to appreciate the company of our friendly expert guides.
Jackson Hole Outdoors • (Jackson Hole Wyoming) Don Wackerman offers anglers the fishing adventure of a lifetime with half-day and full-day float trips on one of North America's top trout streams, the legendary Snake River in the shadow of the breathtaking Grand Teton mountain range.
Henrys Fork Anglers • (Island
Park Idaho) Henry's Fork Anglers is located on the banks of the Henry's
Fork of the Snake River in Last Chance, Idaho. The Henry's Fork is
one of the most famous and diverse fly fishing rivers in the world,
with plenty to offer the advanced fly fisher as well as the beginner.
Its prolific aquatic insect hatches draw fly fishers from around
the globe to test their skills against highly selective rainbow trout.
Angler's West Flyfishing Outfitters • (Paradise Valley Montana) Big Sky Flies and Guides Outfitting Co. has merged with Angler's West Flyfishing Outfitters! We continue to offer the same fantastic guide service you've come to know and trust, and the finest selection of flyfishing equipment and quality outdoor apparrel at our Emigrant flyshop location. We are the premier Paradise Valley flyfishing outfitter. Come visit us and do so often!
Actress Heather Thomas fly-fising on the Snake River in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The River’s Edge • ( Bozeman Montana) Bozeman Montana’s premier fly fishing outfitter and fly shop. With the Gallatin, Madison, Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers a short drive away and a store that carries only the finest in fly fishing products including Simms, Winston, Sage, Ross and Galvan, we’re confident we will provide the very best Montana trout fishing experience. Come see for yourself...
Madison River Outfitters • (West Yellowstone MT) Native cutthroats rising for hoppers along a grassy cut bank on the Yellowstone… Big brown trout slashing at emerging caddis in a broad riffle on Montana’s Madison… Wild rainbows sipping tiny blue winged olives in a setting of incomparable beauty on the Firehole… This is just a sample of the action that takes place somewhere in our ‘backyard’ each day of the season! Madison River Outfitters, featuring an impressive selection of quality fly fishing tackle, custom flies, rugged outdoor clothing and hiking and backpacking equipment, is one of the finest fly shops in the Rocky Mountain West. We offer guide service in Montana and Yellowstone National Park and our friendly guides are committed to providing you with a great fly fishing experience on the world class fisheries surrounding West Yellowstone.
Tim Wade's North Fork Anglers • (Cody Wyoming) Tim Wade's North Fork Anglers is the premier Greater Yellowstone Fly Fishing Headquarters! Seen on ESPN, TNN Outdoor and other outdoors fly fishing programs, this fly shop is always a must stop destination for all anglers wanting the latest information on hatches, conditions, and the right equipment before they head out to explore the waters of the region. Tim Wade, owner and outfitter, has been guiding and instructing anglers in the Cody Wyoming / Yellowstone region for more than 20 years. During those years he has taught or written about fly fishing, fly tying, fly casting and entomology, sharing his knowledge of water and fish behavior with thousands of during that time. He still lovesto see one of his guests on a guided trip get hooked up with a wily brown, or untangle knots when needed, because it is all part of the job as guide or outfitter. "This is a job that is a privilege for me," Tim says. "My office is not bad either.
Two Rivers Emporium • (Pinedale Wyoming) Two Rivers Emporium offers some of the finest rainbow and brown trout fishing in the state of Wyoming. Our guides are extremely efficient and up to date on hatches and which flies and lures are working. We are here to help you in any way to make your fishing vacation more memorable. If there is any thing we can do, please contact us at our E-Mail address, or call our toll free number.
Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing • (Thermopolis, Wyoming) Experience an exclusive fly fishing adventure in the Wind River Canyon, or on the Upper Big Wind River near Crowheart, Wyoming. There are no crowds as Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing is the only licensed outfitter on the entire river! The Wind River Canyon is trophy style water with many of the catches well over 20 inches. The predominate species in Wind River Canyon are Brown and Rainbow with Cutthroat also being present. Guided fishing trips are also available on the Big Horn River north of the Wind River Canyon, which flows into Thermopolis, Wyoming.
A Few Thoughts On Fishing
Fly-fishing Tower Creek below Tower Falls in Yellowstone
"But when I am alone in the half light of the canyon
all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul, and memories. And
the sounds of the Big Black Foot River, and a four count rhythm, and the
hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and
a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and
runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless
raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters."
Sound-bite from a River Runs Through it.
The Yellowstone Teton Region fly-fishing is blessed with
a plethora of blue ribbon trout waters that host prolific hatches of Mayflies,
Caddis Flies and Stone Flies. Dozens of rivers and hundreds of lakes and
streams, all world-class fisheries that attract anglers from around the world.
The Henry’s Fork, the Snake, the Madison, and the Yellowstone Rivers have
been elevated to legendary status by the movies made about them and the books
and articles that have been written about them.
If you believe what you read, fly-fishing requires the
touch of a surgeon and the spirit of a Zen master. Well, it might help but
it certainly isn’t required around here. Forget about what you’ve heard about
fly-fishing in the past, if you really want to fly-fish all you need are
the right tools, proper technique, and a positive attitude. With these essential
elements, you can begin to enjoy the sport of fly-fishing in no time.
Some time spent with a guide can enhance your skills exponentially in a very short time, as they are all trained to be teachers. A day discovering the best techniques for fly-fishing with a guide on one of our regional rivers or legendary spring creeks gives you the foundation for many years of productive fly-fishing enjoyment of the future. Many regional guides have spent a lifetime fly-fishing the rivers and streams of Yellowstone Teton Region. Their instruction of the best flies, how to read the water, presentation, and all aspects of fishing the Yellowstone region can greatly enhance your fly-fishing experience.
For those of you who already know how to fly-fish, or
do not want to hire a fly-fishing guide, all you need is a map, the proper
seasonal fly selection, and some current fly-fishing advice, all which can
be found for the price of a handful of flies at a local fly shop.
Most rental shops of the Yellowstone Teton region have drift boats rafts and float tubes for rent for those of you that wish to escape the confines of the bank of your river, lake, or stream, because as we all know, the big one is in the eddy on the far side of the river.
Cody and Scott Hunter fly-fishing the Indian Creek in Yellowstone National Park
Spin-cast fishing is popular around the area also and
is a very productive way to wet a line. Although spin fishing doesn’t require
the finesse and learning curve of fly-fishing, a guided trip with a guide
that knows spin-fishing can really improve our catch rate. Remember to keep
in mind to de-barb your hooks to improve your catches chance of survival
upon release. We also encourage lure fisherman to cut their treble hooks
down to a single hook.
The Snake River Drainage is home to a unique subspecies of cutthroat trout known
as the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat Trout. This outstanding game fish
is indigenous to the Snake River drainage and relies totally on natural reproduction.
Having a wild trout fishery with indigenous trout is not something we take
for granted and we highly encourage catch and release fishing to protect this
valuable resource.
The Yellowstone Cutthroat, as the name implies, are native to the Yellowstone River drainage of southwest and south-central Montana and northwest Wyoming. In general, The relation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout to Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout is problematic. Early genetic analyses could not distinguish these subspecies, but recent attempts have been more successful.
Whether you are fishing for one of the Fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat our Yellowstone Cutthroat you will find their most endearing qualities is their fondness for feeding on top sipping mayflies flies or attacking stoneflies, drakes, and hoppers. Large dry flies like size eight Turck Tarantulas, Royal Wulffs, Club Sandwiches, and hoppers are all popular and good choices. Size six and even four stone fly patterns sometimes are also effective.
Rainbow and Brown Trout can be found throughout the area as well a few sub-species of cutthroat trout, and some of our lakes are home to Kokanee Salmon.
Fly-fisherman fishing the dead calm water of Green River Lake in the Wind River Mountains. Squaretop mountain is casting a reflection
Many of our lakes are gifted with giant Lake Trout, but you usually need to be an expert or lucky to get one in the 20 to 50 pound category. Most are taken by trolling with spoons or minnow-like plugs attached to wire-line rigs or downriggers. They can also be taken by bottom fishing with whole or cut fish. In summer they often move to depths of 50 to 100 feet, but in spring and fall you can find them at depths of 20 feet or less. When ice fishing you can catch Lake Trout in hardly any water at all.
Many of our lakes are put and take fisheries and are planted by the Idaho, Montana or Wyoming Game and Fish, but most of our rivers and streams are wild trout fisheries and do not receive planted fish.
Our wild trout fisheries, due to the law of survival of
the fittest, produce a hardier, smarter game fish, and is a resource worthy
of protection. Catch and release although not mandatory on many waters is
often the practice. Many of the fish of the region are caught and released
40 times per year and if everyone kept their fish there wouldn’t be any here
except inferior hatchery fish.
I used to keep my big ones because they were such trophies, and I used to keep some to eat until I realized that I can buy a trout for two dollars in the store and that fish in the river provides has a much greater value than two dollars as a recreational resource.
Events
Chuck Yeager & Guide
Mike Lawson - One Fly Fishing Contest
Jackson
Hole One Fly Fishing Contest • Each year
in September, flyfisherman from around the world gather in Jackson
Hole Wyoming to participate in one of fly fishing's most unique events.
It
is a weekend filled with fun, challenges, adventures and of course,
the famous
Snake River Cutthroat trout.
Give
the Cutt-slam a try. • If you want to see some breathtaking
country, do a little camping and accomplish something that only around
300 people have done, you might
want to give Wyoming’s Cutt-Slam program a try. This year
marks the 10th anniversary of the program that recognizes anglers for
catching Wyoming’s four subspecies of cutthroats in their native
range. Back in the mid-90s, Wyoming fisheries coordinator, the late Ron
Remmick, had an idea to try to bring more public awareness to Wyoming’s
cutthroat trout and the management efforts benefitting these fish. The
Cutt-Slam was hatched and a program was developed to recognize anglers
for making the effort to catch the Snake River, Bonneville, Colorado
River and Yellowstone cutthroat subspecies.
Stories
Daryl L. Hunter trying his luck on the Wind River south of Dubois Wyoming. The Wind River carves a beautiful path through the badlands of Dubois.
Fly-Fish-Hooky On The Henry’s Fork • By Reyn Bowman
Growing up, my Dad wasn’t into fishing so in the years before heavy chores began I hid my old hand-me-down fly-fishing rod near the low-lying Ora Bridge between our ranch and where I went to school in the town of Ashton, Idaho. .....................The tiny bridge crosses the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River in the shallow tailwaters, just below the century-old Ashton Power Dam and Reservoir as that North Fork winds its way from the mountains down to a rendezvous on plain 50 miles south and a bit west with the South Fork flowing out of Wyoming.............................I’ve learned as an adult that the the Henry’s Fork including the half mile of riffles and runs just above the Ora Bridge down through the deeper, spring-fed portion a couple of miles downriver to the Vernon Bridge (and even a bit further to the Chester Bridge) reportedly yields some of the best for trout fly-fishing in the world. There is even a lodge now a short distance from there.......................To me it was just convenient...................rest of story
Jackson
Hole's Flat Creek • By Scott
Sanchez
All
of us have waters that have made a special connection
to us. Wyoming's Flat Creek is one of mine. Part
of the attraction is nostalgic, since this is where I
learned the intricacies of spring creek fishing.
This stream was my schoolroom for spotting subtle rises,
sneaking up on the fish, picking a good imitation,
and then presenting a drag-free drift. Flat Creek
is
also special because its scenic location a few miles
north of Jackson, Wyoming, on the National
Elk Refuge.........more
Fly-fishers
go crazy saving flies • By D Dave Strege
One fly-fisher stripped his clothes off and swam naked into the river
to retrieve his fly that got snagged. Another stood on the shoulders
of the
guide and used pruning shears to cut down the branch where his fly was
lodged. A lucky one hooked a big fish that snapped his line, losing fish
and fly, only to wait five minutes before the fly somehow dislodged from
the trout's
mouth and popped to the surface. He netted it — the fly, that is. What
would lead a fly-fisher to go to such extremes to save a fly caught
in a tree limb or a log in the riverh.................More
Jack Lee of Swan Valley floats and fishes his way through section two of the South Fork of the Snake River.
Henry's Heaven •
By Jack Ballard
Lake or river -- take your pick. The world-renowned Henry's Fork
country of eastern Idaho boasts some of the finest trout fishing
in the nation. Who's Henry? That's the question that kept buzzing
through my head the first time I motored through a mesmerizing
mountain valley just southwest
of Yellowstone National Park. The name seems to be ubiquitous in
eastern Idaho, with landmarks such as Henry's Lake and the Henry's
Fork of the Snake River...............................more
Fishing
Henry's Fork of Island Park • By Ben Arellano
Fly Fishing the rivers and lakes
around Island Park is an experience that an angler seldom
forgets. The spring fed tributaries, creates an ideal situation
for
enjoyable and unparalleled fly fishing. Not only will you
experience the exceptional fly fishing of this area, but you
are surrounded
with the beauty of the Targhee National Forest, the wildlife
and history of people and the life they lived. ...........................more
Fishing The Famous South Fork of the Snake River • By Ben Arellano
It
is between the Henry's Fork confluence and Palisades Dam that
the South Fork is known as one of the finest dry fly rivers
in North America. All of the Fish in the South Fork are wild
and fish between eight and sixteen inches must be released
because they are the prime breeders. The South Fork typically
becomes fishable for the fly fisher sometime between the first
week of July and the middle of July, depending on the spring
run off. This year (2001) the run off was for a very
short period, thus fly fishing was productive in the middle
of June.
Al the former CEO of Woolrich and his wife Dotty trying their luck on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park and surrounding waters offer world-class
fly-fishing- a fly-fisher's nirvana • By Dave Strege
WEST YELLOWSTONE, MONT. – A bartender in town gave a hint
as to the essence of West Yellowstone on the fishing landscape."
There's as many fly shops here as bars, and we're a hard-drinking
town," quipped Thor from behind the bar at The Gusher.
West Yellowstone is a town of fewer than 1,000 residents yet
features
six fly-fishing shops, evidence supporting the claim
this is the mecca of fly-fishing. Each year, more than 50,000 anglers drop a line in 220 lakes
and 1,000 streams that make up 2,650 miles of running water
- and that's just in Yellowstone National Park.........more
Follow the bugs to a good day of fishing for trout • by
Chester Allen
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — The
noon sun blasted down and through the gin-clear water of the
small
meadow stream.Long strands of water weeds twisted
like big, green snakes in the gentle current, and you could
see every pebble and rock on the bottom. Not one trout was
in sight. But they were there —..........................more
Fishing Yellowstone • By Daniel D. Lamoreux
With a bit of research and boot leather, you can escape
the crowds that invade Yellowstone National Park each
summer and catch trout that rarely ever see humans.....................................Roughly
3 million people visit Yellowstone National Park each year.
While that number may seem staggering, the reality is that
its piscatorial treasures are often underestimated and usually
overlooked...................................Fewer than three
of every 100 people who enter the park buy a fishing permit,
and not all of those bother to go fishing. And more than
97 percent of the caught fish are released to fight another
day......................................more
Fly
fishing Backcountry Yellowstone • By Mark D. Williams
Don't let Yellowstone National Park's 3 million visitors
spoil your idea of high-elevation trout fishing. There's
a virtual fishing paradise just a short hike away from
all those crowds..............................You would think
that with over 2.2 million acres and 1,000 miles of rivers,
there wouldn't be any crowded water. But most anglers fish
near access points, road crossings, parking lots, campgrounds,
bridges, anywhere a river parallels road.........................more
daho Fish and Game’s recent electro-shocking and removal of 5,800 plus wild and naturalized rainbows and hybrids has gotten out of hand and will hurt anglers chances for years to come. The fishing industry, including local businesses cannot afford the impact of this practice.
In 1988 there were the famous fires in Yellowstone National Park a dramatic but ecologically beneficial event for the area, but there are side effects of this event that will alter events forever.
Fisheries Conservation Organizations
Sadee Wheeldon showing off a ten pound cutthroat trout
Jackson
Hole One Fly Capital Foundation • The
Jackson Hole One Fly Capital Foundation (One Fly) and the National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) established a new partnership in 2003
to leverage both organizations’ funding and interest in cold
water fisheries conservation, particularly in the tributaries and mainstem
Snake and Yellowstone
Basins. The One Fly and NFWF have a long history in fisheries conservation
throughout the greater Snake River and Yellowstone region.
Trout Unlimited • Trout
Unlimited’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America’s
trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. Trout
Unlimited accomplishes this mission
on local, state and national levels with an extensive and dedicated volunteer
network. TU’s national office,
based just outside of Washington, D.C., and its regional offices employ
professionals who testify before Congress, publish a quarterly magazine,
intervene in federal legal proceedings, and work with the organization’s
125,000 volunteers in 500 chapters nationwide to keep them active and involved
in conservation issues.
Federation of Fly Fishers •The
Federation of Fly Fishers, an international service organization dedicated
to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing
through Conservation
and Education. The FFF and its Councils are the only organized advocate
for fly fishers on the national and regional level. By joining you will
have the opportunity to contribute, with your membership and your voice,
to fishery conservation and restoration for all fish in all waters.
The Blue Water Task Force • The Blue Water Task Force is a lcally-led nonprofit (501c3) watershed group, headquarteredalong the famous Gallatin River in Big Sky, Montana. The Task Force is governed by aboard of community members representing a wide variety of stakeholders, including homeowners, recreational business owners, developers, and local water resource managers.
The last bastion of the Cutthroat Trout
Rivers of the Greater Yellowstone Region
Yellowstone Park Rivers
Yellowstone River • The Yellowstone River drainage
hosts exceptional scenery and some of the most diverse
wildlife on earth. You can see elk, bison, grizzlies,
moose, majestic mountains, canyons and waterfalls. And
is a world-renowned trout-fishing destination. It begins in the Teton Wilderness in northwest
Wyoming’s rugged Absoraka Mountains 671 miles upstream
from the confluence with the Missouri, from here the
Yellowstone winds unencumbered by dams all the way to
South Dakota's rolling prairies. The upper Yellowstone is pretty much as it
always has been, and is being managed by Yellowstone
Park and Montana Game and Fish for the welfare of the
fish and wildlife that live around it. This has preserved
one of the best trout rivers, outside of Alaska or Canada.
Winding through Yellowstone Park and into Montana to
the town of Big Timber, the famous trout water of the
Yellowstone flows for nearly 250 miles. ---------------------> More......
Gardiner River • Rising on the northeast slope of Joseph Peak in the northwest corner of Yellowstone Park the Gardiner River is born. The river starts at 10,000 feet. By the time it reaches the northwest corner of Gardner's Hole it has been joined by several other icy small streams. After it reaches Gardner's Hole, Fawn, Panther, Indian and Obsidian creeks join it. All are small, winding, willow lined, clear and cold, and all host numbers of brook and rainbow trout. The streams of Gardner's Hole are the only ones in the Park that may be fished with worms-but only by children twelve years and under. Twenty miles from its source from where it passes under the Norris-Mammoth road bridge, there is a mile or so of very pleasant water. But proceed with caution as the walls of the canyon steadily constricts the river, bank fishing becomes tough and wading becomes risky. The river becomes a torrent and soon drops over 150 foot Osprey Falls, and the even steeper canyon below. It is dangerous to continue.-------------> More
Firehole River •
The Firehole River is one of two major tributaries of the Madison River. It flows north approximately 21 miles from its source in Madison Lake on the Continental Divide to join the Gibbon River at Madison Junction in Yellowstone National Park. The Firehole flows through several significant geyser basins in the park to include the Upper Geyser Basin, which contains the world-famous geyser Old Faithful. Early trappers for the steam that makes it appear to be smoking as if on fire named the river.-------------------------------------> more
Lamar River • The Lamar River is the largest tributary of Yellowstone River within Yellowstone National Park. We are fortunate not to have to use the full moniker, Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, of the Secretary of the Interior for whom the river is named. It originates in the high peaks, steep ridges, U-shaped valleys of the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains and it is approximately 40 miles long. Large herds of Bison and Elk lazily graze along the river in the Lamar Valley. Wolves can even occasionally be spotted if you are an early riser or get lucky in the evening and it is one of the best places in Yellowstone to spot Grizzlies. The Upper Lamar River is another tremendous cutthroat fishery. The main river along with tributaries such as Cache, Miller and Cold creeks fish very well with dry flies for 12"-18" cutthroats. As with all of backcountry trips the wildlife, wildflowers and scenery are tremendous. wolves, grizzly bears, elk, bison, deer and moose are among some of the wildlife you may encounter in this area of the park. ----------------------..........-> More
Lewis River • The Lewis River is a tributary of the Snake River and is a popular destination for Yellowstone backcountry travelers, fishermen, and campers. The entire course of the river is located within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming about 70 miles north of Jackson Hole. The river is named for Meriwether Lewis, commander of the Lewis and Clark Expedition though Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery never saw Yellowstone. The Lewis River begins at the southern end of Shoshone Lake and flows southerly approximately 3 miles to Lewis Lake; here the river is called the Lewis River Channel. The river reemerges at the southern end of Lewis Lake and flows in a general southerly direction through a steep canyon roughly paralleling the south entrance road toward the south entrance of the park. Shortly before leaving the park, the Lewis River merges with the Snake River just north of Flagg Ranch, changing its course southward. The Snake soon flows out of Yellowstone into Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Lake ------------------------------------- > more
Gibbon River • The Gibbon River begins its short journey into the Madison in the center of Yellowstone National Park, at Grebe Lake from there It flows for a short distance into Wolf Lake. Upon its exit from Wolf Lake, the Gibbon River twists and turns through narrow canyons and great meadows and thermal areas until meeting with the Firehole River for the genies of the Madison River. The upper section of Gibbon River has very difficult access, not much volume and involving bushwhacking through difficult terrain. You will catch brook trout, cutthroat trout and grayling, all on the small side, rarely exceeding 10 inches. But the difficulty is worth it for the opportunity to catch grayling, as they require the cleanest of waters.-----------------------------> more
Wyoming Rivers
Grand Teton National
Park Grand Teton National Park's Snake River • The source of the mighty Snake River is in Yellowstone National
Park, from there it flows past Flagg Ranch south through
the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway, and into
postcard perfect Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park.
Below Jackson Lake Dam, the river meanders through Grand
Teton National Park. Above the river to the west, the Grand
Teton mountains rise suddenly, with no foothills to soften
their dramatic rise to the sky. These are mountains the way
we always expect mountains to look, The snowcapped, Grand
Tetons are America's quintessential mountain range, rearing
up with sawtooth like exaggeration crowned by the 13,770-foot
Grand Teton. More.......
Jackson Hole Wyoming's Snake River • The Snake River as it leaves Grand Teton National Park is
equally as breathtaking as it is as it flows through the
Park but allows you to see the Grand Teton Mountain Range
from different angles and vantage points. This escarpment
of perpendicular granite is awesome no mater which angle
you view it from. There also good views of the Sleeping Indian
in the Gros Ventre Mountains to the east. More.......
Snake River Canyon • A blue sky overhead hosts a few cumulous clouds, the towering
Snake River Range overwhelms you on the right but the majestic
Wyoming Range balances it on the left, an osprey plucks an
unsuspecting trout from its watery home with a quick swoop
from the sky and some handy work with it's talons. You can
count your blessings when you're floating down the mighty
Snake River that divides these two mountain ranges here in
the bottom of Wyoming's Snake River Canyon. The Snake River
is a gorgeous ribbon of blue, green and white that comes
alive and deposits itself in you face on a regular basis
in this imposing canyon where towering spruce, pine and fir
trees wear rags of moss and bald eagles perch watching the
parade of kayakers, fishermen and rafters float by. More....
Gros Ventre River • The Gros Ventre River (pronounced 'grow-vont')
flows from it's headwaters in the Gros Ventre Wilderness
which forms much of the eastern boundary of Jackson
Hole and lies mostly to the south of the river. The
Gros Ventre is a swift medium-sized freestone river
providing plentiful pocketwater, runs and pools. There
are not many riffles on the Gros Venture. The River
contains expansive open terrain with exposed sedimentary
rock layers of many colors, cliff bands, dense forest,
and narrow canyons. In places the color scheme of this
beautiful river valley resembles the southwest. The
river alternates between a broad cottonwood-lined bottom
and narrow canyons. Views of the Grand Tetons Range
are spectacular. It is a beautiful, undeveloped region
with abundant wildlife. The Gros Ventre River is home
to the Snake River Fine-spotted Cutthroat Trout, and
whitefish. Brookies are in some of the tributaries of
the upper Gros Ventre drainage. Early season kayaking
is classic, the fishing is remarkable, and photographers
will have no shortage of subject matter. More......
The Salt River • The Salt River is a small river that originates on the western
slope of the Salt River Mountain Range just south of the
town of Afton. It flows north through scenic Star Valley
Wyoming between the Salt River Range of Wyoming and the Caribou
Range of Idaho into Palisades Reservoir at its confluence
with the Snake River. On it's way it meanders through miles
of ranch land until it reaches on Idaho-Wyoming border. The
Salt River is home to Brown, Rainbow, Brook and Snake River
Fine Spotted Cutthroat and Trout. The Salt is a flat-water
river but does offer scenic canoe, kayak, rafting and tubing
floats.------------------------≥ More......
The Green River • The Green River a major tributary of the great Colorado River system, it is born from the glacier melt water high in the Wind River Mountains, it dumps from the glaciers into a pair of large scenic lakes in the northern region of the Winds and emerges suddenly as a fast-flowing, freestone river with a deep emerald color which appropriately gives the Green its name. From Green River Lakes, it runs 730 miles to join the Colorado deep in Utah's Canyonlands National Park, passing through Flaming Gorge Canyon along the way. The Green River joins the Colorado River to form the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Beginning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest at Green River Lakes, one of the prettiest places on earth, the river makes a big bend and then turns south before entering private property. Unpaved National Forest roads skirt the river and afford many places along this 20-mile stretch to fish, watch wildlife, and enjoy the sound of tumbling water. --------> More
The Wind River • The Wind River is the name for the upper reaches of the Bighorn River in Wyoming. As the story goes, a miscommunication between 19th century explorers led to the portion of the river that enters the Wind River Canyon to be named the Wind River, while the one that exits the canyon is called the Big Horn River. The Wind River begins its journey in the icy waters of Wind River Lake and Brooks Lake at the top of Togwotee Pass in the Absaroka Mountains. Glacier fed creeks pour into it from the glacier studded Wind River Range, Dunior, Horse Creek and the East Fork of the Wind River just east of Dubois all which drain the southern Absaroka Range join it before it hits the desert of the Wind River Indian Reservation. It flows southeastward, across the Shoshone Basin and the Wind River Indian Reservation and joins the Little Wind River near Riverton. It then veers northward then is temporarily tamed at the juncture of the Owl Creek Mountains, where the river is dammed to form Boysen Reservoir, the Wind River officially becomes the Bighorn River at the Wedding of the Waters, on the north side of the Wind River Canyon.---------------------------> More
The Greys River • The Greys River • The Grey's River is located just east of the Idaho/Wyoming
border near Alpine, Wyoming. The river is about 55 miles
long and flows into Palisades Reservoir. The Grey's River
area is considered by many northwest Wyoming locals to be
a one of their favorite multiple use playgrounds, the river
offers great trout fishing, kayaking, rafting and canoeing
and there are many access points along the road to access
the river. The towering Salt River Range to the west and
the matching Wyoming Range to the east, both hosting several
peaks that reach above 11,000 feet in elevation, this results
in an awesome place to be. The surrounding mountains and
their many canyons offer OHVing, horseback riding, hiking,
and trophy elk and deer hunting with many Boon and Crocket
records to prove it. This mountain valley is alive with the
sweet smell of wildflowers, the green forest floor is shared
with yellow Balsamroot, red Indian Paintbrush Yellow Arrowleaf,
and purple Fireweed. More..........
Hoback River • Twelve miles south of Jackson you will find the Hoback River which is one of the more accessible rivers in the Jackson Hole, Yellowstone region. Highway 191 parallels it the river most of the Hoback's length from the confluence with the Snake River to about five miles south of the town of Bondurant where the river turns west into the Wyoming Range. Much of the lower section is private land but there are several access points and patches of national forest and BLM land, which provides access points. Here there isn’t a lot of drop but there are several good waves and fishing holes. During the spring, winter and late fall you can often see Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep on the cliffs by Camp Creek Inn.-------------------------------------> more
Greybull River • The Greybull River south of Cody Wyoming runs through some of the most remote backcountry in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The river rises near Francs Peak in the Absaroka Mountains in the southwest corner of the Big Horn Basin. The Wood River, which drains a part of the Absaroka Mountains to the south, joins it west of Meeteetse, continuing through the southern parts of Park County and Big Horn County before flowing into the Big Horn River near Greybull. Along its 90-mile corridor, water travels from snow-capped peaks in the Absaroka Mountains to sagebrush flats and prairie at its confluence with the Bighorn River.------------------------------------- > more
Clarks Fork Of The Yellowstone River • The Clarks Fork is a tributary of the Yellowstone River, flowing southeast through Montana, and Wyoming. It carves a path from the Beartooth Mountains in the north to the Absaroka Range this river is famous for its recreational opportunities and breath-taking views. It is in the northwest corner of Wyoming adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. Originating in the high mountain peaks close to the Montana/Wyoming border at the western end of the Beartooth All-American Road, The Upper Clarks Fork headwaters are near the town of Cooke City, Montana, some 12 miles north of the Wyoming border. The Upper Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River parallels the highway for seventeen breathtaking miles which facilitate easy access.-------------------------------------> more
Shoshone River • The Shoshone River is a northern Wyoming river whose headwaters are in Yellowstone National Park, and is a heavily traveled corridor for people visiting Yellowstone Park via the east entrance of Yellowstone. The Shoshone River here has been rated among the top ten freestone trout fisheries in the Rocky Mountains. Teddy Roosevelt once called the North Fork corridor the most scenic 50 miles of land in America. Cities it runs near or through are Cody, Powell, and Byron It ends when it runs into the Big Horn River near Lovell, Wyoming. The Shoshone River combines all the streams, rivers, and waterways to create the main eastern drainage of Yellowstone National Park. The scenic vistas of Red Rock Canyon and Lower Canyon are sure to have you looking back in time. It runs through a volcanically active region of fumaroles known as Coulter’s Hell. This contributed to the river being named on old maps of Wyoming as the Stinking Water River.----------------------------------------> More
Idaho Rivers
South Fork of the Snake River • The South Fork of the Snake is in southeastern
Idaho close to the Wyoming border. The South Fork begins
as it flows out of 20 mile long Palisades Reservoir in the
community of Swan Valley, forming a 64-mile stretch of legendary
tail-water fly-fishing. The South Fork is also a beautiful
river for flat water rafting, canoeing and kayaking. If you
float this river in a canoe know what you are doing as it
is big water and its flat-water appearance can fool you to
its dangers. More.........
Henry's Fork of the Snake • The Henry's Fork of the Snake River, located in
eastern Idaho, is one of the most famous trout streams in
all of the United States. It's legendary hatches and abundant
large wild rainbow trout make the Henry's Fork one of America's
top fly-fishing destinations. The river flows for approximately
150 miles and within its journey passes some of the more
classic dry fly water in the United States. Gentle flowing
meadowland, pocket water, and spring creek like sections
make up much of this legendary fishery made popular by Avril
Harriman the railroad man. The Henry's Fork of the Snake
is a spectacular river and fishery. Anglers come from all
over the world to this river to fish its diverse and productive
waters. More........
Fall River • Tucked in the southwest corner of Yellowstone
National Park, the Falls River basin is truly a fisherman's
and waterfall lover's paradise. The Fall River is aptly
named because of the many waterfalls along its tributaries.
This is the major river that drains the Cascade Corner,
of Yellowstone Park. The four major streams in the Fall
River drainage are the Belcher River, Boundary Creek,
Mountain Ash creek and of course the Fall River. They
begin on the Madison and Pitchstone plateaus and they
carve canyons across Yellowstone Park's southwest corner.
Some of Yellowstone's most beautiful waterfalls are
in this area. As the runoff of many creeks drop off
the Madison and Pitchstone Plateaus, many waterfalls
are formed. With nearly 80 inches of annual precipitation,
the Falls River drainage is one of the wettest portions
of Yellowstone National Park. The Falls River is a backpacking,
fisherman, and photographer's nirvana. More......
Teton River • The Teton River begins its journey to the Columbia in the
upper reaches of postcard perfect Teton Valley. Much of this
mountain valley is pasture, grain and potato fields, and
open range bordered by the forested hills of the Big Hole
Mountains and the famous peaks of the Grand Teton Range.
The rugged peaks of the Tetons and the forested hillsides
of the Big Hole's stand in stark contrast to each other,
this diversity adds character to the Teton River Valley.
The upper Teton River is a meandering spring creek that is
a fly-fishing nirvana. Huge rainbow and cutthroat trout live
throughout the entire river. This is a dry fly paradise!
Mayfly hatches are prolific and often there will be four
or five different hatches at the same time. The Narrows (the
lower Teton) has all the adrenaline rush attributes of any
class IV and V whitewater river. The Teton River is a diverse
waterway providing the gamut from tubing to world class whitewater
and trout fishing. More......
The Blackfoot River • The Blackfoot River offers good whitewater boating, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. A beautiful backcountry drive meanders along the rim of the gorge and offers views into the canyon and river below as well as the sage plateau of rolling hills with their sparse stands of aspen and conifer. Steep canyon cliffs, aspen and cottonwood trees support nesting golden eagles, prairie falcons and many others.
The river is named for the Blackfoot Indians even though they never lived in the area. It was first mapped by the Lewis and Clark expedition, how they did that is beyond me because Lewis and Clark never got to this part of Idaho...........More
Montana Rivers
The Yellowstone River • The Yellowstone River drainage
hosts exceptional scenery and some of the most diverse
wildlife on earth. You can see elk, bison, grizzlies,
moose, majestic mountains, canyons and waterfalls. And
is a world-renowned trout-fishing destination. It begins in the Teton Wilderness in northwest
Wyoming’s rugged Absoraka Mountains 671 miles upstream
from the confluence with the Missouri, from here the
Yellowstone winds unencumbered by dams all the way to
South Dakota's rolling prairies. The upper Yellowstone is pretty much as it
always has been, and is being managed by Yellowstone
Park and Montana Game and Fish for the welfare of the
fish and wildlife that live around it. This has preserved
one of the best trout rivers, outside of Alaska or Canada.
Winding through Yellowstone Park and into Montana to
the town of Big Timber, the famous trout water of the
Yellowstone flows for nearly 250 miles. ..............More......
Gallatin River • The Gallatin River of southwestern Montana is a beautiful freestone trout stream that doubles as a whitewater adventure destination, it is an amazingly scenic The Gallatin is a well-known, easily accessible, and heavily fished, trout stream that, despite those pitfalls, offers three species of trout that eagerly take dry flies and nymphs in one of the most beautiful and rugged portions of Montana. The Gallatin has 120 miles of appealing trout water, including a delicate upper portion that flows through lush meadows, a roily middle section that cuts through a spectacular, heavily forested canyon, and a lower stretch that twists across a broad valley before meeting the Jefferson and Madison rivers at Three Forks. Parts of the movie A River Runs Through It were filmed on the Gallatin. The River winds through high alpine meadows, dropping into the rocky Gallatin Canyon, and flowing out into the Gallatin Valley. It is also known as a blue-ribbon trout water. It is a tremendous asset to the communities of Bozeman, Big Sky and West Yellowstone.--------------------------> More
Madison River • The legendary trout waters of the Madison River originate at Madison Junction inYellowstone National Park where the Gibbon and Firehole come together to form the Madison. It was here inlate summer of 1870 in what is known as National Park Meadows that the Langford-Washburn-Doane expedition conceived making Yellowstone a national park. It's logical to think that the river's origin in the high plateau region of Yellowstone Park, which is notoriously cold, would keep the river cold, however, the Madison and its upper tributaries run right through the most thermally active region in the United States, the water temperature on most sections of the river is remarkably warm for a high mountain river, often more than seventy degrees in the summer. Despite its high, mountain environment, which usually leads to low nutrient content, the Madison has an amazingly high nutrient level fostering great fishing. ................... More
Missouri River isn't a Greater Yellowstone River in the sense that it is in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem however you can see it from there. The headwaters originate there and it forms at the edge of the ecosystem
in Three Forks Montana where the Madison River, The Gallatin River and the Jefferson River meet to form the Madison west of Bozeman Montana. The Missouri River runs for more than seven hundred miles in Montana, and for the angler contemplating a visit to Montana to fish the Missouri River, trying to figure out the best place to fish can seem overwhelming. Thankfully, this problem is easily solved. Only a couple of small sections of the Missouri River offer trout fishing, and only one section, between Holter Dam and Cascade, offers prime trout fishing waters. .............More
Ruby River • The Ruby River originates at the convergence of its East, West, and Middle Forks and runs in a northwesterly direction for 97 miles. In its upper section, the river flows through Beaverhead - Deerlodge National Forest between the Gravelly and Snowcrest mountain ranges. Fourteen miles downstream it veers gradually west to run alongside the Ruby Range and into Ruby River Reservoir, which was built in 1939 to store irrigation water. The upper basin’s grasslands, historically a summer range for American bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and grizzly, are prone to erosion and mass wasting, leading to turbid water flows in the river. Below Ruby Reservoir the stream meanders past Alder and just west of Nevada and Virginia cities, three of Montana’s historic gold mining towns. The Ruby completes its last 45 miles below the Ruby River Dam in a wide, open agricultural valley and joins the Beaverhead River near Twin Bridges, Montana. Gravel roads which parallel the upper river allow excellent access. Hunting, camping, timber harvesting, and mining join fishing, and cattle and sheep grazing as traditional uses supported by the Ruby River............. More
Jefferson River • The Jefferson River originates at the junction of the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers, near Twin Bridges, Montana, and runs northeasterly 77 miles to Three Forks, where it joins the Madison and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River. In its upper reach, the Jefferson meanders widely through a grassy valley between the Continental Divide on the west and the Tobacco Root Mountains on the east. Near Whitehall, approximately halfway along its course, the Jefferson turns east away from the mountains. It cuts deeply through a high, semi-arid plain to flow past rocky cliffs, sagebrush, and native grasses. From its confluence with the Boulder River near Cardwell to Missouri Headwaters State Park, the Jefferson is primarily confined to a single channel, except near Three Forks. There it braids, forming many islands and side channels in a rich bottomland........... More
Beaverhead River • Although originally formed at the confluence of the Red Rock River and Horse Prairie Creek, the Beaverhead River now begins its 69-mile-long journey at the outlet of Clark Canyon Reservoir, an irrigation storage facility constructed in 1964. It joins the Big Hole River at Twin Bridges, Montana, to form the Jefferson River. The river above Dillon is characterized by a tight channel meandering through densely covered willow banks. From Dillon, it flows through a broad open agricultural valley for 50 miles before reaching Twin Bridges. Its channel is restricted through a narrow canyon during part of its lower journey near Point of Rocks. The water in the Beaverhead River is comparatively cold, except in areas subject to dewatering, mainly located in the lower river. Fish cover primarily consists of submerged and overhanging bank vegetation, undercuts and long, deep pools............ More
Smith River • Noted for its spectacular scenery and blue-ribbon trout fishery, the Smith River is unique in that it has only one public put-in and one public take-out for the entire 59-mile segment of river. Boat camps located along the remote river canyon help preserve the unique quality of this area. The Smith River between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge is the only river corridor managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a permitted river. Permits for private floats on the Smith River are allocated to the public via a lottery system prior to the spring season. Permit applications are typically available the first week of January each year, with an application deadline of mid-February........... More
Boulder River • The Boulder River is one of the most beautiful fly-fishing rivers in Montana, a tumbling, freestone tributary of the Yellowstone that holds some impressive brown and rainbow trout. It is approximately 60-mies long, in south central Montana. Access is excellent - just pull off the side of the road and go. It is one of two rivers named the Boulder River in Montana. It originates in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness just north of Yellowstone Park and flows north to its confluence with the Yellowstone River at Big Timber. From where the Boulder River begins, at the confluence of South Fork Boulder River and Basin Creek, the river runs through a narrow and small valley, flanked on all sides by the towering Absaroka Mountains and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area..............More
The Big Hole River • As most Montana rivers, it has many personalities throughout its course; the source of the main stem Big Hole River is Skinner Lake in the Beaverhead National Forest in the Beaverhead Mountains of the Bitterroot Range at the Continental Divide along the Montana-Idaho border in western Beaverhead County. This river drops 2,700 vertical feet over its 150-mile course, and includes high-mountain meadows, open cattle range, pine forests, deep tumbling canyons, and riparian cottonwood habitat; forgivingly Human population is sparse. From canyon walls to meandering farmlands the Big Hole River changes its face around every corner. -------------------------------------> More
Stillwater River • The Stillwater River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River, approximately 70 miles long, in southern Montana in the United States.It rises in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness south of the Beartooth Mountains in southern Park County, near the state line with Wyoming and the boundary of Yellowstone National Park. It flows northeast, between the Absaroka Range to the west and the Beartooth Mountains to the east, through Custer National Forest, past Nye and Absarokee. It joins the Yellowstone near Columbus, Montana.----------------->More
Noted for its spectacular scenery and blue-ribbon trout fishery, the Smith River is unique in that it has only one public put-in and one public take-out for the entire 59-mile segment of river. Boat camps located along the remote river canyon help preserve the unique quality of this area. The Smith River between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge is the only river corridor managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a permitted river. Permits for private floats on the Smith River are allocated to the public via a lottery system prior to the spring season. Permit applications are typically available the first week of January each year, with an application deadline of mid-February.
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