Portion Of Smith River To Open To Catch-And-Release Angling

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Cool temperatures and better water flows due to conservation efforts by local irrigators prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials to open a 31-mile stretch of the Smith River to catch-and-release fishing from Tenderfoot Creek to the Rattlesnake Boat Camp. The entire 125-mile long Smith River has been closed to all angling since Aug. 17 to reduce drought and angling stress on the river’s wild trout populations. The action to reopen part of the canyon portion of the Smith River was taken today by FWP Director Pat Graham, who was recently given the authority by the FWP Commission to address drought-related stream closures and restrictions. The order will take effect immediately. FWP Fisheries Biologist George Liknes said the decision to open the Smith River to catch-and-release angling from Tenderfoot Creek to the Rattlesnake Boat Camp came in response to cooler water temperatures and better stream flows due in large measure to irrigators who voluntarily cut back watering to conserve water to benefit the river’s wild rainbow and brown trout populations. Liknes said personal phone calls from Montana Department of Natural Resources staff and phone calls and letters to irrigators from Lt. Gov. Judy Martzchair of the Governor’s Drought Advisory Committee-- resulted in an important boost to Smith River water flows earlier this week. "Flows in the Smith below Tenderfoot Creek are now likely above 80 cubic feet per second, which is still critically low but sufficient enough to sustain surviving fish and aquatic life in this stretch of the river. In a drought year like this one, that little boost is a welcome improvement and will provide sufficient flows for the river’s wild trout populations," Liknes said. Water temperatures in the stretch have been below 70 degrees for nearly three weeks. The preferred water temperature for rainbow and brown trout is about 55-57 degrees. Earlier in the summer, at the Eagle Creek USGS gage upper Smith River flows dipped as low as 30 cfs and water temperatures reached 78 degrees. Water temperature of 77 degrees or more can be lethal to trout. The upper and lower reaches of the Smith River will likely remain closed to fishing until flows increase. The catch-and-release regulations will remain in effect until further notice.