Orvis Week with PRO Outfitters - Smith River Float

Camp out in the renowned Montana wilderness. Camps are made on the spot but are well equipped and comfortable. Camps will use tents with cots and sleeping pads and each guest will be paired with up to two people per tent. Tents are comfortable and each angler has more than enough living space to organize their belongings. These fly camps not only allow anglers to fish more remote waters but also to experience and enjoy more of the wilderness.

Day 0:

Day before the launch. Guests typically fly or drive into Helena, where they have arranged lodging. Guides meet guests at their hotel the night before launch and go over details of the trip and give everyone their dry bags (to keep their belongings safe). Guides can provide sleeping bags, pillows, sleeping pads, and any fishing gear you may need. Prior notice is requested if this gear is needed.

Day 1:

Launch. You’ll be picked up at your hotel around 6:00 AM and be transported to the launch, where you will start your five-day, four-night float down the Smith River.

Days 2-4:

Overnight on the Smith River. Wake up to streamside breakfast at the campsite. After breakfast, you will float and fish all day, while part of the team floats ahead so that camp is set and hors d’oeuvres are ready when you arrive in late afternoon.

Day 5:

Takeout. Enjoy your last day fishing the final stretch before takeout. We recommend staying in a hotel back in Helena after your last full day on the water.

A stunning sixty-one-mile wilderness float has only one public access at the headwaters and one at the takeout. The Smith River starts in the mountains, flows through a thousand-foot limestone canyon, and spills out into the prairies. This is the only waterway in Montana where all recreational floats are strictly regulated by limited guide and access permits and only accessible by boat. The fishing is low pressure and lush, the views pristine.

Target Species: Rainbow, brown, cutbow, and native westslope cutthroat trout. Occasionally, you may catch a brook or bull trout.

What is included?

• Guided float trip with all camping and fly-fishing equipment
• Meals starting with lunch on Friday and ending with lunch on Tuesday evening
• Beer and wine
• Transfers to and from the river to your hotel in Helena, MT

What is not included?

• Airfare
• Transportation to/from the airport to lodge
• Fishing license
• Gratuities for guides and staff

How many people are on this trip?

8 anglers.

What skill level is suggested?

All skill levels welcome.

How strenuous are the activities?

The trip can be tailored to an individual's fitness level.

Is this a child-friendly trip?

Parents should use their discretion regarding their children's level of maturity and patience if they will be joining the trip as an angler.

What additional activities are available?

This trip is for anglers only. There are no other activities available other than what is already listed.

What is the typical weather?

Anyone who knows anything about Montana knows how difficult it is to predict the weather here. At PRO Outfitters, our favorite saying is, "If you do not like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change!" This applies to all seasons and makes the "dress in layers" philosophy practical. You can't go wrong if in March–June and September–November you prepare for anything, and July–August you’re prepared for most things! It's best to check the local weather forecast just prior to your trip for the most accurate weather conditions.

What gear do you recommend?

A detailed packing list will be sent to guests upon booking.

Reservations, Deposits & Payments

The deposit is 50% of the trip price unless stated differently in the trip proposal and materials (trip planner and confirmation email). In some cases, deposits are non-refundable, this depends on the destination and will be clearly noted in the trip proposal and materials as well. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. The balance will be charged automatically to the credit card used for the deposit, unless otherwise specified. Any changes made to the method of payment after the final balance has been collected are subject to processing fees.

A reservation form and release are required prior to departure.

All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another.

Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Adventures reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure.

Planning information

When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive planning information to guide you through trip preparations. Details about arrival and departure, clothing and equipment, trip cancellation insurance, pre- and post- trip extensions, visas and documents and activities are included in the planning information.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Although cancellation fees may be higher for some trips (stated in the trip proposal and materials), the following minimum cancellation fees will apply:

Days Prior to Trip	Fee
+ 90 days	$300 per person
89 days or less	100% of cost

For trips that include an Orvis gift card or Orvis merchandise, the retail value of the gift card or merchandise is non-refundable upon delivery. Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather.

We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Guide fees and hotel costs are not refundable if unused as outlined in the itinerary. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement.

Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees.

Cancellation Insurance

Your planning information includes information for travel insurance covering cancel for any reason, cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage.

Share policies

Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip.

Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived.

Passports and documents

International trips require a passport. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. A visa is needed in some countries and we will send you complete details and instructions.

Arrival and Departure

Group transfers from a central location such as an airport are described in the itinerary, and are included in the land cost.. Transfers are not included in the land cost if you arrive early or leave after the scheduled departure day.

Equipment & Clothing

You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information.

Airline reservations

The land cost of your trip does not include airfare.

Limitation of liability

This section defines Orvis Travel’s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and post- trip extensions. Please read it carefully.

Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them.

All trips that involve outdoor sporting activities such as shooting or fishing, or travel through remote places by vehicle, boat, small plane or on foot, put you at risk for accidents and serious injuries in the normal course of the activity. That is the nature of travel to such destinations and you acknowledge that you accept these hazards as a condition of participation.

Orvis Travel, its Owners, Employees, Associates and Agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers.

Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Orvis Travel, its subsidiaries, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation.