Fourbtgait
Life of the Party
We have never camped that far down river. Drove through it but not our style of sites.
But a 4wt is fine still.
The St. Joe in September.
- Thread starter Roper
- Start date
But a 4wt is fine still.
Nice spot. Good access from St. Regis. You can cruise the road up and down river from here and find lots of freestone reaches. Fly Flat upriver is good as well.
Access is variable, from steep and short off the road to steep and long. Hike carefully. You'll likely wet wade. Enjoy your trip, but remember to tell all your westside buddies how many mosquitoes there are and how it sucks.
Might be worth slipping into MT a bit. Might be worth heading back to WA a little south of that drainage on the way home, along another great river. So many good rivers in northern ID and western MT with easy access. Even more if you throw in a little sweat equity. You kind of can’t go wrong if you’re fishing running water.
CaddisSunset
Just Hatched
Having a few brown mayfly patterns in size 20 can really save the day up there in late September and October…
Cowlitz Bottomfeeder
Life of the Party
Be aware of the fire danger. Cell coverage in the drainage is nonexistent. Just a few years ago much of the upper river was closed due to an active fire. The are only a few ways in and out.
I've only been in mid August and further upstream from your chosen destination. Foam body EHC, ants, pink hoppers, and madam X worked well for dries. Soft hackled GRHE, pats rubber legs, PT, and 20 inches stone for nymphs. Streamers will definitely work, there were a few follows and swipes at small hooked fish.
I'm going back this year, backpacking into some water that isn't accessible by road. I'll post a report when back.
I'm going back this year, backpacking into some water that isn't accessible by road. I'll post a report when back.
I am heading over to the St Joe for the first time next week, and I'll figure it all out, including camping, when I get there. Both my boys are at WSU, so I'll get a chance to see them on the way over.
Reminds me of Timothy Egan's "THE BIG BURN".
Pink Nighty
Life of the Party
Go cougs!
Cowlitz Bottomfeeder
Life of the Party
Closer than you know. There’s a road from Avery to Wallace Idaho where that fire occurred
You can still see a few scorched tree trunks along the banks of St. Joe above Simmons Creek that date from the Great Fire of 1910.
Steve
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Would be interested in a trip report when you get back. I'm hoping to get over there for a couple of days in three weeks. Wondering how easy it is to find a campsite mid-week in July. Been thinking about fishing above Gold Creek Road, but this isn't set in stone. Might also join some friends, staying closer to Avery in early September.
Hopefully there are some campsites over there, or I'll be sleeping in the rig.
singlehandjay
Life of the Party
Lots of bugs. Maybe small leech patterns
Cowlitz Bottomfeeder
Life of the Party
Most folks don’t camp in the designated Campgrounds. There’s 30 odd miles of road along the river with informal camping spots. Several are large meadows with concrete toilets. You’ll find a spot.
Rick, the upper St Joe in the fall is still on my list to do so no personal experience there in the fall. FWIW, we did spend time in September on upper Rock Creek MT (west of Phillipsburg). To our surprise, it’s Cutts were dialed into a #14 perdigon with a black body, red collar and silver bead. We threw everything else we had and still caught 90% of our fish on that fly which a shop in Missoula had recommended. When we fished upper St Joe a couple July’s ago, the hot fly was a simple #16 Griffiths Gnat which would fish great with your P102 rod. Have fun! Ron
Fourbtgait
Life of the Party
It’s a river in a canyon. Yes, some camping spots along the road but limited. One, maybe two meadows that fill solid with campers who bring bikes, 4 wheelers. Even in established campgrounds the other week was 6 sites taken midweek by motorcycles.
Going to be hot and Ive been there when daytime temp pushes 100
Going to be hot and Ive been there when daytime temp pushes 100
It sucks! No fish! Wolves! Snakes! Skeeters! Loggers, hunters, and tree huggers! No campsites! Fire! Go to the Yakima!!
JACKspASS
Life of the Party
Disagree!! The rattlesnakes are pretty bad though!
I was warned that there are dangerous sharks and orcas off Whidbey, so I never go SRC fishing. Now you tell me there are dangerous rattlers lining the banks of the St Joe, so I can't go cutthroat fishing over there now, too. 
I'm sad for me.
I'm sad for me.
