FALL:
The fall season starts around mid-September and you can fish hoppers, beetles, and ants when the weather is warm until mid-October. As fall begins, the pmds start to get smaller, around size 18-20 and the fish really start keying in on caddis. The Joe gets a good amount of October caddis, and fishing October caddis pupae in the Joe can be deadly. Blue wing olives are a big player in the fall, especially as we start to get rainy and overcast days. We tend to get a very small flying ant hatch late in September through until mid-October. These guys are small 20- 24’ s. The spruce moth hatch is from late August through September. These guys flutter when they are on the water and a little movement goes a long way. There is also a great mahogany hatch on the Joe from late September through all of October. The fall is my absolute favorite time on the Joe, it is just beautiful. And, the fishing is incredible too! Typically, there are fewer fishermen out since the kids are back in school and hunting season has started.
Lastly, another great thing about the Joe is its proximity to other good water. The Clark Fork River is just a short drive away near St. Regis, Montana. I commonly will do an overnight in St. Regis and then float the Clark Fork for a day. I will then head over the hill to the upper Joe and do a day there too. I’ ll make my way downstream fishing towards St. Maries and then onto Coeur d’ Alene. An easy two-day affair, this gives you a good variety of fishing. Overall, the St. Joe is an incredible place. It has tons of killer water, great camping spots, scenic views, and easy access. It is a true perfect western trout stream.
FISHING OCTOBER CADDIS PUPAE IN THE JOE CAN BE DEADLY.
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