Location: Lower St Joe, Marble Creek down
Weather: Hot and sunny, with daytime temperatures averaging in the mid-90s Fahrenheit. The evenings are still cool which helps with water temps.
Water conditions: Clear, flows around 600 cfs - The water temperatures have been rising in the afternoons and evenings, becoming too warm for the trout to thrive. Fish in the mornings!
Fish species caught: Westslope Cutthroat
Fishing Techniques: Dry Fly, Hopper Dropper, Nymphing
Hatches: PMD's, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones, Terresttrials
Fly Patterns: Chubbies, Yellow Sallies, Hoppers, Purple Haze, Rusty Spinners, Caddis, Pat's Rubber Legs, Jig Perdigon, Jig Faucii, Prince Nymphs
Report:
Fishing on the St. Joe River remains strong, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind due to warm and low water conditions. Fish are definitely starting to get a bit more picky.
The majority of fish are being caught using nymphing techniques. However, another effective method is running hopper dropper setups with chubbies or hopper patterns. Running those droppers 2-3 feet from the indicator fly. Don't overlook ants and beetles, as they have also proven to pick up fish.
Given the warm water conditions, it's crucial to handle fish with care and release them promptly. Consider using stronger tippet to bring in the fish more quickly, minimizing stress and exhaustion. When handling fish, keep them in the water as much as possible and use wet hands and rubberized landing net to handle fish gently. Also use barbless hooks whenever possible, as they are easier to remove and cause less harm to the fish.