While the calendar says that winter is over and it's now officially spring, you certainly can't tell it by the crazy Northwest weather. We need to be reminding ourselves that all these snowy, slushy, rain-soaked days will actually bode well for the river later this summer. Healthy water - healthy fish! The St. Joe River has had no problem producing fat, healthy cutthroats since the advent of catch-and-release regulations in 1988. The summer of 2010 was no exception to the previous statement. Fat westslope cutts occupied all of the usual holes and runs and seemed as eager as ever to snatch a fly on the drift. As the season started the most effective flies were the stonefly and mayfly patterns with the grey drake being particularly alluring. Of course, most of the standard western fly patterns were also working, along with hoppers and other terrestrials. We even had a late season spruce moth hatch. However, it didn't measure up to previous years, and was only moderately successful. Well, maybe next year! Once again great folks came from all around the country - from California and Nevada to Kentucky and Washinton D.C. to enjoy the chase of these beautiful fish in a paradise-like location. In this fast changing world of ours, it's nice to know that some things remain the same. We want to give a tip of the hat to all those who venture from their homes and come to share our little corner of wild Idaho. We have enjoyed, and hope to continue to share fine meals, warm campfires and beautiful scenery with many interesting people. You make it all possible. We look forward to seeing you on "the Joe".
Tight lines,
Will and Barbara