Need a boat? Complete with rabid fisherman and beer
I have a friend in Craig, Co that would give his eye teeth to do this one, 15 years of applications with Nada, should be preference points so you can eventually get one, or use a false Montana Address to have a better chance.
Are your chances increased if your a Montana resident? I'm technically not a resident yet, but I didn't get a permit any ways.. Have many people had good luck calling the reservation line to get a launch date ?
We got july 31... Pray for snow! Our group is more than willing to drag a bit and can make due if the area can get some more snow. SNOTEL shows the only place in the whole damn country to not have enough snow right around there. "Not so much here, but right here!"
July 17...50/50 - keep watching the snotel, we usually get a lot of our snow pack in March and April... on the other side, we had a lot of low elevation snow this year and some mid snow still exists - so at least there has been a bit of water around and overall the snow pack is probably in better shape than the snotel indicates.
July 28... We put in on that date in 2011 (one of our highest water years on record) and it was great. This year it's unlikely, I'd give it a 30% chance.
If floatable in either case, the water is pretty warm by then and fishing will be ok but unlikely great. The river gets fairly mossy but their can be fair evening hatches and fishing around cooler springs can be better as well.
As for bear gear - the rangers typically payed little attention to us last year. Just asked how we were complying but did not look at the gear. Who knows what this year will bring but I do believe it's supposed to be IGBC certified. You can always hang your gear...(or at least say you will). in over a dozen trips I've never seen a bear in or near camp - I think the whole thing is an over reaction to a few problem bears.
According to the current rules any fence or food container must be IGBC certified. I own a 'Counter Assault' fence and I notice the charger is a standard off the shelf fence charger by a name brand company. The mesh looks a lot like the electric fencing for poultry. I thought about the DIY version, but when I figured all the stakes, wires, clips, stakes caring case, tester and instructions I think I saved money and time by buying a ready made kit. While the Smith rangers are lax, I boat on other rivers that are more strict and at least I have a 'certified' unit.
I have been on two Smith trips, 2013 and 2015. We had bears in 4 camps between the two trips. One came to investigate the pit toilet while a child was using it. The bear problem is real, come prepared and keep a clean camp.
One fence will protect the food for an entire group, so compared to the cost of each boat in the group upgrading existing coolers & containers the $300 fence was much cheaper.
I have been on two Smith trips, 2013 and 2015. We had bears in 4 camps between the two trips. One came to investigate the pit toilet while a child was using it. The bear problem is real, come prepared and keep a clean camp.
Well apparently we keep a cleaner camp than you. In 18 Smith trips - no animal issues what so ever... save a family of stow-away mice that made a nest in my drop bag one night. I don't think fences are the answer - they breed laziness. Everyone I've ever seen used safely enclosed a veritable treasure trove of food attractants. Pans, laying on tables, stoves sitting on top of dry boxes, garbage bags tucked under the table, the list could go on. While presumably safe from ingestion, they certainly send out quite a scent cone and used as such WILL attract bears. The best option is to keep all your attractants put away, I don't care if the containers are bear proof or not as long as it minimizes attractive scent.
I launched July 17 of last year, in fact I have a post about it. The water was super warm, low, mossy, and the fishing sucked, but it was 110% worth it. We didn't float rafts, but another party did. I don't think they dragged their raft at all. (we leap frogged them several times a day) I do know at one place they had to get out and walk, but just them getting out was enough weight loss to not have to drag.
We had no bear problems, but I keep a clean camp. Only curious deer at one. The rangers did actually check our bear cans, and had to make sure with "higher up" that our Ursacks were approved IGBC. Apparently he'd never seen or heard of them.
Lots of bear issues come from the previous campers. It may not matter that you keep a clean camp if the people before you did not. Elk of your 18 bear free trips how many were done pre dog ban?
Most, for sure. I think that may be part of it but still most folks didn't bring dogs when they could. I agree, a lot has to do with recent use but I get tired of regulating our way through problems. I just feel the rangers don't even take it seriously and it gives a false sense of security.
I trust my preparations, not regulations that address only one small part of a potential problem and wrapping a fence around a dirty camp is not likely to keep bears from investigating. What happens when they can't find easy food? Do they start rooting around the boats, or worse? I think fences are great fir personal protection but doubt there effectiveness in abating camp encounters.
Lastly, I still have yet to hear many first hand accounts of issues...Maybe a few folks on the interwebs but nothing in person. There have always been bears around and we managed to coexist without all this rigamarole before. As you know this is not a new stance for me and I've seen no evidence to change my perception.
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I was able to get through about 5 minutes ago. April 2nd and August 15 were the only permits available... Guess I'll be doing the South Fork of the Snake river.
They'll keep opening up, not many people have cancelled yet, you just were getting what didn't get claimed in the initial lottery. Have faith - and the SF snake is fun too, no reason to do one or the other when both would be better.
Your odds are way better to just keep calling The super permits are just cash generators for FWP. I have never really tried and failed to get a cancellation... I have failed with a couple of half hearted efforts, but if you really try I'm sure you'll find something.
Way better odds for cancellation. My issue is I have a pretty specific window this year. I am doing a Grand float and really shouldn't even be considering anything else. But if I can probably make a Memorial weekend float work. I also feel like it is a donation as well. The money stays in the Smith River Foundation or something along those lines. I'm sure it is a money grab but it's only a $5 chance and someone will win it. I'd much rather win the elk tag. But for me even that wouldn't be great to have this year. The Grand does limit what else I can do that's for sure. Good luck and you will get a cancellation if you aren't picky about when you go.
It'll all depend on what kind of late winter/spring we get. We could still build up some snow pack but it's looking like a light water year. Usually by mid july it's pretty low - doable but it can be a bit of work. The more open your time table is the easier it will be to get a permit. So don't be afraid of april and may either.
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