I have tripped twice into White Otter now, both times from the Hwy 622 put in. Once all the way round to Clearwater West..once out to Dibble then back to the bridge put in. Fishing was excellent. I do not recommend paddling from Smirch to Bending Lake through the rapids when the water is 3-4 feet higher than normal......Back  to the Q for us this year though.

As to why people might put in at the 622 bridge instead of Clearwater,  if the wind is up, and it seems to be high an inordinate amount of time in that park, Clearwater West and White Otter are not fun to paddle. You can manage it though from the river side.