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 .
44