St. Joe River

The St. Joe River is a conservation triumph and a fly angler's paradise rolled into one of northern Idaho's most beautiful river corridors. Fed by cold springs and snowmelt in the mountains along the Idaho-Montana border, the St. Joe flows west through the forested panhandle to eventually reach St. Maries and Lake Coeur d'Alene. The river is designated Wild and Scenic in its upper reaches, holds a healthy population of native westslope cutthroat trout that have existed here since before the ice age, and is widely considered one of the finest native cutthroat streams in the Pacific Northwest.

Westslope cutthroat trout are the primary species throughout the drainage, and they are the original, pre-contact strain that has inhabited this watershed for thousands of years. These fish occupy a special niche in Idaho conservation — genetically pure, unaffected by stocking, and highly responsive to surface fly presentations. Average fish run 10 to 14 inches, with 16 to 18-inch fish available in the deeper runs and most remote sections. Bull trout, a federally threatened species, are present throughout the drainage and require immediate, careful release.

The river divides naturally into two distinct fisheries. Below Avery, the river is large enough to float by canoe or raft, and the lower canyon holds good populations of cutthroat and some native bull trout. Above Avery, the river becomes walk-and-wade water, narrowing as it ascends into the wilderness. Forest Road 50 follows the river for miles above Avery, providing access to miles of uncrowded cutthroat water. This is walk-in territory — the road is gravel, sometimes rough, and a 4WD vehicle with clearance is recommended above Avery.

The upper St. Joe above Heller Creek enters truly wild territory. Here the river is small, spring-clear, and full of native cutthroat that have rarely seen a fly. Fish to an attractor pattern like a Royal Wulff or Elk Hair Caddis in the rifle heads and you will quickly understand why people travel from across the country to experience the upper St. Joe. The 12-inch cutthroat that detonates on a size 14 elk hair caddis in this water is worth the long drive.

The St. Joe corridor is home to exceptional wildlife: moose, elk, black bear, and osprey are regular companions on the river. The combination of exceptional fishing, spectacular scenery, and near-wilderness solitude makes the St. Joe one of Idaho's most complete fly fishing destinations.