Idaho Fishing Reports ยท Panhandle Region
The upper St. Joe River above Avery is one of the best westslope cutthroat rivers in the West, with clear water, big pools and a road along much of it.
Looking for the latest St. Joe River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the St. Joe River.
Current flows
Wind forecast
St. Joe River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The upper river is cold and the season is winding down.
BWOs and small nymphs on the warmest afternoons.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Avery and above, bring: Parachute Adams #14-18, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Stimulator #10-14, Chubby Chernobyl #8-12, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
St. Joe River details
| Access | Forest Road 50 follows the river above Avery, with campgrounds and pullouts. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 2,500 to 4,000 ft |
| Nearest town | Avery, Idaho |
| Best season | July through October |
| Fish | Westslope cutthroat, rainbow and bull trout |
| Regulations | Catch-and-release on the upper St. Joe. Check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game seasons and rules before you go. An Idaho fishing license is required for anglers 14 and older, plus a steelhead or salmon permit where those fish are targeted. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet |
| Camping | Forest Service campgrounds along the St. Joe River Road |
| Kids | Yes, at the campgrounds. |
| Good to know | Remote. Fuel up in St. Maries. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Snowed in.
Spring
Runoff.
Summer
Dries for cutthroat.
Fall
BWOs and October caddis.
How to get there
From St. Maries, take the St. Joe River Road east to Avery and upstream.