Another year, another record when it comes to Smith River float permits.
This year, 5,012 people applied by the Feb. 15 deadline for a permit to float the popular north central Montana river. That number breaks the previous record of 4,578 set last year.
All totaled, 844 Smith River permits were issued to floaters from 9 months old to 93 years young. There are no age limits to apply.
Applications came from 42 states and Canada.
As one might expect, most of the applicants came from Montana with 4,187, followed by Washington with 173, Colorado with 132, Idaho at 98 and California with 75.
Six states had one applicant apiece: Connecticut, Iowa, Rhode Island, Ohio, Nebraska and Indiana. Four applications arrived from Canada.
A typical Smith River float season runs May 10 to July 10, though each year more and more people apply for dates on both sides of that window.
This year the most sought after launch date was Thursday, June 14, with 505 people applying for 8 float permits. That’s a 1.5 percent success rate. Tough odds.
The next four popular dates were Thursday, June 7; Thursday, June 21; Monday, June 11, and Tuesday, June 12. The earliest permit was issued for April 1; the latest for Oct. 28.
It’s tempting to float in the early spring or late fall and have the remote 59-mile river all to oneself.
But too early in the year and floaters run the risk of river ice and snow. Too late in the float season brings not only the hazards of winter, but low water levels making the river unfloatable.
Beginning March 21, the Smith River reservation line, (406) 454-5861, will be in operation Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon, for those who are looking to pick up remaining or cancelled launch dates or to cancel a launch date.
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