While this is the time of year that some folks dream of floating snowflakes, others' thoughts lean toward floating the Smith River.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks began accepting applications for the popular float trip on Friday, and at least 45 people had submitted requests by Monday, noted FWP spokesperson Tom Palmer. Because of the river's popularity, it's the only one in Montana to require a permit.

"Last year, there were about 5,800 applications, which was a record," Palmer noted. "The interest in the Smith River is high, so I suspect that we'll get at least that many this year."

Applications are available at all FWP offices and on its Web site at http://fwp.mt.gov.

From those applications, about 900 permits are issued. The peak float season runs from early May to early July, but Palmer warned that the best dates, based on weather, typically are from June 10 to July 10.

"What we're seeing right now is a lot of people are trying to go earlier or later in the season and hope they'll get lucky enough where the water is at a level they can float," Palmer said. "But last year, the early floaters got trapped by some winter storms when the river iced up."

Anytime after the Fourth of July, the river flow usually falls to levels that make it impassable.

It takes about four days to float the 59-mile stretch of the Smith River, which begins at Camp Baker near White Sulphur Springs and ends at Eden Bridge near Ulm. The trip is renowned for its fishing, scenery and remoteness, which has prompted the number of floaters to rise from 4,180 in 1998 to 4,836 in 2008.

The popularity of the Smith River float is one reason FWP has updated its 12-year-old management plan. An open house to introduce the public to some of the changes proposed in the 129-page draft plan is slated for 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 12 in Helena at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel, 2301 Colonial Drive.

Palmer noted that those changes aren't slated to be instituted this year. If approved, the plan calls for retaining pit toilets while implementing a voluntary human-waste pack-out program; banning pets; establishing a minimum age of 16 to apply for permits; and creating a random process for assigning boat camps.

The public has until Jan. 30 to submit comments on the plan and the Environmental Assessment, which accompanies the document. Copies of the plan and EA are available online at fwp.mt.gov. Click "Smith River Plan."

Successful applicants will receive a permit with an informational floater packet. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a refund of the $30 application fee (less a $5 processing fee) and can call the Smith River Reservation Line at 406-454-5861 beginning March 18, to request any remaining launch dates that might become available.

For more information on floating the Smith River, contact the FWP Region 4 office at 406-454-5840.

Applications

Click here to fill out an application for a Smith River permit. Completed applications should be mailed to: FWP Smith River Drawing, P.O. Box 8009, Helena, MT, 59604-8009. Results of the drawing will be made available early in March.

Reporter Eve Byron: 447-4076 or eve.byron@helenair.com