Fly Fishing the Saint Joe River, Idaho for Wild Westslope Cutthroat Trout

Join me for three days of fly fishing the amazing river up in the Panhandle National Forest in Idaho on the Saint Joe River. Incredible fishery with so many quality Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the net!
#flyfishing #fishing #SaintJoeRiver #Cutthroat
Things that I use and recommend for fly fishing:
O'Pros Rod Holder (Best Fly Fishing Accessory EVER!): bit.ly/3mlaQC9
BEST floatant EVER: amzn.to/3jZOPrk
Simms G4 Waders: bit.ly/3vQyl99
Korkers Wading Boots: bit.ly/3w3rIRj
Wading Staff: bit.ly/3bgM148
SAGE Fly Rod (Great 1st Fly Rod!): bit.ly/31bVXKt
SAGE X Fly Rod (Fast Action next generation Sage TCR): bit.ly/3nBQJiq
ECHO Euro Nymphing Rod (Love this rod!): bit.ly/3BiOrcL
Winston 3-weight Fly Rod:
Orvis Battenkill Fly Reel (Bullet Proof Fly Reel): bit.ly/3CnUw98
Lamson Liquid Fly Reel (Great fly reel): bit.ly/3EkGrtH
Ross Colorado (Click & Paw - oldschool!): bit.ly/2ZtGELX
Rio Fly Line (The BEST Fly Line out there!): bit.ly/3ClzJ6r
Landing NET (Great net!): bit.ly/3CspJbC
Simms Sling Pack (LOVE THIS PACK!):
Simms Boat Bag: bit.ly/3BkPLMk
Fly Fishing Gear Bag (My recommendation; Simms no longer makes my exact bag): bit.ly/3pEDHU5
Best Rain Jacket PERIOD:
Waterproof Fly Box (Does not leak):
Love This New Fly Box (light and compact): bit.ly/3pJi990
Dry Shake: bit.ly/3CnBAr5
Forceps & Nippers: bit.ly/3Bj0LKk
Tapered Leaders: bit.ly/3EkpX4W
Tippet (5x, 4x, 3x): bit.ly/3ElZ5Se
You NEED a Dry Bag: bit.ly/3bnbrwF
Indicators (will not kink line):
Fly fishing for trout, fly fishing for Cutthroat in the Pacific Northwest has been a passion of mine for the last 40 years. I have spent most of my life fly fishing the great Pacific Northwest to include fly fishing in Alaska, fly fishing in Washington, fly fishing in Oregon, fly fishing in Idaho and fly fishing in Montana. I generally will fly fish and practice catch and release when fly fishing for trout, but I have been known to catch and cook during camping trips to many of my favorite fishing spots. I love to fly fish lakes in the higher elevation, though I have a few lowland lakes that are fly fishing only that are also on my most favorite list. I have a ton experience fly fishing rivers for trout and always enjoy discovering new rivers to fly fishing in and around the greater Pacific Northwest. I am also an accomplished at casting a fly rod - whether it is fly fishing casting for distance, fly fishing casting for accuracy, the double haul, roll cast, tower cast and many more fly fishing casting techniques - I can show you the basics when it comes to casting a fly rod. I also will cover many topics that relate to getting started with fly fishing. From your basic fly fishing setups, flies and fly boxes - we cover all the fly fishing needs for beginners. Thanks for taking the time to tune into FlyFishDan and I hope you consider subscribing to my fly fishing channel. Cheers and FISH-ON!!!

[@Ruger44Redhawk]

Researching the St. Joe now and found your channel. Gorgeous river. Quite the drive for us in Caldwell, ID. But I would love to get up there to watch the Lochsa Madness, the town of Wallace, The Great Burn (Mallard-Larkins) Wilderness and the St. Joe River. I'm not a fisherman, used to when I was younger, but I read that the St. Joe is one of the best fly fishing rivers.

[@richardjones2129]

Nice destination and fine Fishin experience. Thank you Dan for another great fishing adventure that I can arm chair fish from. Lol! God Bless n Fish On!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you Richard!

[@brettcocking6728]

Dan, I fish this area a lot and as always you seem to out fish me on my own waters. I normally don't blow smoke but brother I have been fishing for years but learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. Well done and Thank you!

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks for the kind words Brett - much appreciated.

[@jimtruscott5670]

This is a great video of the Saint Joe. I love the angler’s enthusiasm. I fished the Saint Joe several times and love the river . I just hope not too many folks discover it and it gets overfished as happened to many of the best rivers in Montana.

[@cwalton56]

Too late, "Call someplace Paradice, kiss it goodbye."

[@ParkerOutside]

What a beautiful stretch of river!!

[@leemowers9395]

Beautiful River, fish were great.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you!

[@teamlosi11]

So much fun!!! Nice work man 🔥

[@FlyFishDan]

Thanks Joel!

[@slc42477]

Went to the St Joe for a couple days with my nephew last week because of your videos. What an incredible river. We had a great time catching lots of fish. Thanks.

[@FlyFishDan]

That is awesome!

[@DG-PNW]

Can’t wait to check out the saint joe !

[@FlyFishDan]

It’s an amazing place for sure, you’re going to be blown away - cheers DG!

[@briankelly6113]

Fished there in September, got to watch my wife land a 17"er right before she took an unplanned swim. Next day we got forced off the water by a massive thunderstorm. It was great!

[@alexanderjoyce3305]

Awesome stuff, planning trip in the next year or so 👍

[@rickbrown7067]

A hopper dropper rig would work great there. Another awesome job Dan.

[@FlyFishDan]

I bet they would!

[@TezukuriLure]

Fish ooooooooon😄 Beautiful cuttie😍👍

[@FlyFishDan]

Fish-on indeed! Thank you!

[@brianfantana5405]

4:19 relatable

[@douglasschonewald9093]

Love the St. Joe. Spent most of my youth and early years fishing there. Still go occasionally even though it's a bit of a drive. Typically we fish the upper river (Gold Creek and above). We seldom fish lower down as there's just too many people there.

[@FlyFishDan]

Love that river too - thank you for sharing!

[@duaneb3096]

Nice vid. I was just up there this past weekend. Not a lot of fish but I caught a couple of nice fatty cuts. A couple of things: There is a lot of private property up there and its hard to distinguish private from public. Also a lot of steep bank but I found some nice holes to access. The road above Avery was closed due to fire activity but later this fall when it opens, I'll be heading up there. If you're heading up the St Joes there are roads on both sides of the river. Take the railroad grade road, it has better access to the river.

[@FlyFishDan]

Great information - thank you! Can’t wait to get back up there myself!

[@69adrummer]

LOL Jumped off that bridge a time or two! Was up there with the Forest Service and we partied there quite a few!! haha

[@justal4844]

Just got this recommendation in my feed, Dan, and didn't realize this was your inaugural trip to the Joe. I am surprised at how high the river is if this was shot in July; there are more seams in that immediate area that expose themselves when the water is lower. As you showed, the Joe is great for quantities of medium sized cutthroat (and many from the nursery also...). I plan (as of now) to be on that river two weekends in July, although I said the same thing last year and ended up spending the month building a deck; let me know if you to pop over again 😉

[@FlyFishDan]

Awesome - yes, I love the Joe...such an amazing river. It was a bit high on this trip - usually the water levels don't start to really fall until late summer. Still very wadable even at these higher levels and fishes very well. Especially when using the big hoppers :)) Cheers!

[@seannixon]

Hey Dan, You are getting amazing with the videos. The bug repellent looks like the Thermacell. I bought one for the camp and it works great as long as there is not a strong wind, but if there is a strong wind you most likely don’t need to worry about the bugs.

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you for the very kind comments! That’s exactly right, no wind Thermacell does the job. Wind - see you later bugs! :-)

[@lessthancivilized3377]

when I bought my fishpond nomad they said yeah its a good net and it floats lol. I said well I am sure someone will appreciate that it floats when I lose it lol.... great video dan hopefully i will be able to make a detour to the st joe when i head to the flathead and glacier in august. cheers

[@FlyFishDan]

I know the feeling! You should! The road leads to Saint Regis, worth the detour. Cheers!

[@mikeyprentice]

Nice video 👍

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you! I appreciate the support! Cheers!

[@Thebreadedfurflinger]

As always enjoy watching & rewatching your videos,your energy is great,as for the bridge jumpers agree & disagree,yes we don't own the river but we're fishing & common courtesy would say wait or ask but others aren't either raised right or think about it,I try like you not to get upset,but rather move up or down river,thinking 3 weight trout spey & soft hackles or buggers would be frick'n a hoot 🤟

[@FlyFishDan]

Thank you David, I appreciate your kind words and thank you for being a part of my channel! Cheers!

[@MadLivin]

Awesome man!! I've never been to this river but want to badly! Lol just started fly fishing last August. Hit the Yakima last weekend but no luck

[@FlyFishDan]

The Saint Joe is a pretty amazing fishery - the scenery alone is worth the effort. Keep at it - the Yakima will provide for those who are patient :)). Fish-on!!!

[@MadLivin]

@@FlyFishDan I bet. Looks amazing. Yes, totally agree. 🙏👍

[@smallbizok]

headed that way in three weeks for 7 weeks to include the St Joe. Excited to witness all of this. Look for white 4 runner with Okie tag. LOL

[@FlyFishDan]

Nice! Best of luck - consider camping down towards Avery then up river for a few days near Conrad Crossing. It's like fishing two different rivers and amazing scenery. From there you can head over the pass and fish the Clark Fork on the other side. Cheers!

[@pnwfishingandhunting5652]

I have fished that hole so much. i fish the deep eddy across from where you were fishing about 15 mineuts into the video.

[@FlyFishDan]

It's a good spot for sure!

[@driftstone]

I've got a chance to fish the NF cda this weekend. I'm pretty hyped about it. Should be similar to the Joe.

[@FlyFishDan]

Very cool! I have never fished that river - can't wait to see how you do!

[@randallhoskins6243]

My nephew took me over the 4th of July,I’ve never had so much fun!

[@driftstone]

@@randallhoskins6243 right on, I think about those waters a lot

[@TechAssuranceATL]

Fun video! But what is with the big plastic container you tote around with you? 😅 Love the attitude

[@alanluscombe8a553]

I’m only a couple hours away from this river I really want to try it

[@FlyFishDan]

You should!! Worth the time and effort for sure

[@keng9064]

Great video Dan. Was that 4 wt or 5wt rod

[@FlyFishDan]

I was using my 4wt Sage TCR mostly - but had my 5wt with me on this trip too. Cheers!

[@jsf8145]

At the 30 min mark of this video what is your rod real fly line set up? Looking for a new rig to use for streamers and wet flies on the same size fish you’re catching. Appreciate any feedback you might have to offer. Thanks

[@FlyFishDan]

Hello! I am using my Sage 490-4 (4 weight, 9 foot) with floating line. I have a 3x 9' tapered leader, nymph and strike indicator. Hope that helps!

[@WildBCFly]

Hey Dan are you up or downstream from Avery in this video? Im coming down from Canada to check out the St Joe. Any tips for access?

[@FlyFishDan]

Upstream from Avery has some amazing spots...really the entire stretch is good and has great access. You are going to have a great time!

[@WildBCFly]

@@FlyFishDan Thanks man, I indeed had a great time! 3wt and sz.18 emergers, couldnt keep the fish off. The access was incredible compared to the rivers im used to fishing in BC.

[@rickbrown7067]

Dan, what camp ground did you stay at?

[@FlyFishDan]

PM at [e-mail]

[@nickmcgarvey6463]

Pro tip: the fishing starts above Avery.

[@FlyFishDan]

Good tip!

[@gregwarren8009]

So which campground(s) did you stay at?

[@FlyFishDan]

Shoot me an email, and I'll give you the scoop

[@bigmick812]

What was that Mosquito Repellent. I’m like an OCB for these Damn bugs.

[@FlyFishDan]

The Thermacell is lights out in keeping mosquitos away!

[@darrenrodgers6425]

Casting downstream with a dry fly? Can someone explain that move to me? Slack in the line?

[@FlyFishDan]

Hello Darren - It's usually down stream due to the swing...though I have casted down to a rising fish from time to time. I pretty much cast everywhere before moving on...because you just never know :))

[@darrenrodgers6425]

Oh ok, thank you for clarifying. I just thought I saw you actually making a cast straight downstream with a dry haha, I was like woah that’s interesting😆 And yes, you never know, and those sneaky unexpected bites are the best. My favorite is little one foot white water pockets in rocky streams, sometimes there’s monsters in there lol

[@jimtruscott5670]

Darren Cast a dry fly downstream while holding 3-6 feet of free line ,stack mend to create a decent drift release line as needed. Catch fish.

[@idoncov00]

Did you ever leave that bridge?

[@FlyFishDan]

Yup!

[@valeriepickens2533]

Be glad it was only teenagers. Everything anybody else tries to go up there, racist groups try to recruit you into their little club! Real insisting about it too!!

[@briggs13a]

Too much hotspotting and trying to cash in on our resources.

[@FlyFishDan]

Nah - everyone that works in Avery and count on people discovering this fishery would disagree with you. All good - be well, be kind and FISH-ON!

[@westfork]

Notice how FlyFishDan always names the waters he fishes in Montana and Idaho, but never names the waters in Oregon or Washington? Start naming your home waters Dan. Not for me, I recognize most, but for your following.

[@FlyFishDan]

Fake news - Dude…I’ve named 3 places vs the MANY fished in Montana and Idaho. Let’s try to avoid gate keeping/trolling.

[@westfork]

Not trolling, just a concerned fisherman. @@FlyFishDan

[@FlyFishDan]

Trolling occurs when someone knowingly disregards the truth and spreads false information. For instance, if one claims that "always names the waters he fishes in Montana and Idaho," it would be a misleading statement. You have chosen to be that individual, spreading false information, which is exactly what trolling is.

[@westfork]

@@FlyFishDan Not false, it's based on the few videos of yours that come up on my feed. I don't follow you so my statement is based on the videos I've seen. In my opinion a fisher with your reach should not be naming any of the waters you fish so as not to create an artificial demand on those waters. Sorry if this hurts your feelings.

[@FlyFishDan]

You have made the decision to pass judgment and publicly criticize me without conducting any research. Your judgment is solely based on a few videos that randomly appeared in your feed. I am not hurt by your actions, but I feel compelled to point out your lack of knowledge on the matter (aka ignorance). I kindly request that you unsubscribe from my channel and unfollow me.