The St. Joe is not much unlike any other famous Western trout stream like the Madison, Gallatin or Henry's Fork this time of year. The most productive winter fly fishing technique is to drift nymphs near the bottom in any good holding water. Fish do not feed aggressively this time of year. Their strike zones have decreased greatly in size, but you have the possibility of some good action if it is a solid drift where the trout want it. You may need to almost pop them in the head to get them to take. If you are partial to streamer fishing, try a green or black pattern and slow your retrieve to about 5/8 normal speed. Again, run your streamers through any solid holding water and be patient.

Many of the fish have moved down stream from their usual holding areas during the summer and fall months. Try fishing the stretches down stream from Prospector and Shookum creek. Dress warm and Happy Fishing!!

Fish Species: Cutthroat
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About The Author: Mark Roush

Company: ROW Fishing Adventures

Area Reporting: Idaho

Bio: My name is Mark Roush. I have over 8 years of professional guiding experience in Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, British Columbia and Alberta. I worked as a Big Game hunting outfitter and fishing guide in British Columbia and Alberta before taking up roots a little closer to home. I am now the Fly-fishing manager and guide for ROW Fishing Adventures. We are based out of Coeur D'Alene, ID. ROW is the largest outfitter in the state and we are commercially licensed on rivers all over the Northwest. We fish the St. Joe, Coeur D'Alene, Clearwater, Grande Ronde, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Snake and lower Salmon rivers. My guides and I take pride in offering first class service, and we are known by many to be one of the premier outfitting businesses in North America.

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