. Evaluation of salmonflies in Montana's rivers : are statewide populations really declining?. Aquatic insects; Aquatic habitats; Flies; Insect populations; Salmonfly. Smith River The Smith River is formed by the confluence of the North and South Fork approximately 4 miles southwest of White Sulphur Springs, MT. It flows 41 miles to a canyon entrance where it confluences with a major tributary, Sheep Creek at Camp Baker. The Smith River within the permit float section (from Camp Baker downstream to Deep Creek) has a strong salmonfly hatch that occurs from May through late June, depending on we
. Evaluation of salmonflies in Montana's rivers : are statewide populations really declining?. Aquatic insects; Aquatic habitats; Flies; Insect populations; Salmonfly. Smith River The Smith River is formed by the confluence of the North and South Fork approximately 4 miles southwest of White Sulphur Springs, MT. It flows 41 miles to a canyon entrance where it confluences with a major tributary, Sheep Creek at Camp Baker. The Smith River within the permit float section (from Camp Baker downstream to Deep Creek) has a strong salmonfly hatch that occurs from May through late June, depending on weather and river conditions (pers. observation 2004-2007, Big Sky Fishing 2010). Surprisingly, for such a popular fishing, floating and recreation designation, this river section lacks macroinvertebrate sampling data; especially, long-term data consistently collected at various stations capable of monitoring stonefly populations. In fact, benthic samples taken by the MT Natural Heritage Program at 2 sites in the canyon reach in June of 2008 are the only standardized samples that I could find while data searching. We did compile a benthic sample dataset from Mark Canfield (unpublished) that he has been collecting since 1991 at 3 sites near the Smith River Wildlife Management Area approximately 10 river miles upstream of Camp Baker (Figure 7). Since 1991, Mark has documented an alarming trend with increasing siltation and changing macroinvertebrate commumities at these sites; especially the decline and loss of Pteronarcys californica and increases in more tolerant stoneflies. Only with the recent last 2 high water years do some populations above Camp Baker seem to be showing signs of recovery, based on the presence of adults in 2010 (Figure 7). Figure 7. Salmonfly sampling data provided by M. Canfield above Camp Baker 70 60 a a. E ro w i- 0 Q. R! 3 â D > C 50 40 30 20 10 Pteronarcys californica @ Smith River blw. Fort Logan. Adult Salmonflies collected, but none in larval samp
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