St. Johns River Maine Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brook Trout (Native)
Size
Medium to large
Location
Northwest Maine
Nearest Towns
Allagash
Hamlin
Ft. Kent
Season
April 1 through September 30
Access:
Poor, the stream is mostly very
remote
Non-Resident License
State of Maine
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
Fly fishing Grand the St. Johns River is best done from early May to October 20th
Spring:
Late Spring can be good if runoff ends before Summer..
Summer:
Summertime is prime time to fish the St. Johns River
Fall:
Early Fall can provide good fishing opportunities
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Options For Selecting Flies:
1. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)
with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.
2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need
3. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)
with a budget for flies and we will select them to match the budget and get them to you in time for your fly fishing trip.
All orders are shipped free in the
U. S. Orders over $100 are shipped via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The St. Johns River In Maine
The St. Johns River begins as small headwater streams that flows from Truesdale Mountain. Many tributary streams contribute to its flow throughout its 140 mile length. It’s the longest free flowing river in the eastern United States. It’s more of a freestone river than most of Maine’s rivers because it has relatively few lakes. Its rain comes from both melting snow and rainfall. Its fly fishing opportunities are largely dependant on the flows.
The St.; Johns River is a very remote stream. Access via road is very limited. The only real interest in the upper river has always been timber. Today, many of the camps along the river are actually areas where logging took place.
The thing that’s really different about the St. John’s River from most other eastern trout streams it the lack of fishing that takes place. Most all of it is done very near a camp or nearby road access. Most of its 140 mile length isn’t really close to anything. Most of the year, trout can be taken throughout its entire length, yet only a relatively small portion of it is actually fished.
The St. Johns is also a big river in places. It can be over a 170 feet wide. It’s a river that few men are really familiar with. Most guides and anglers that fish it, only fish a small percentage of its waters. Fly fishing the St. Johns River from start to end would take years.
As with many other Maine trout streams, the St. Johns River is best fished after runoff during the Spring. Runoff can occur from May until the middle of June. That is also when most aquatic insect hatches occur. Much of its water is fast flowing including some rapids. There’s a good amount of pocket water.
Although most anglers that fish the St. Johns River fish from the bank, the river is best fished from a boat. Many use canoes and some use motorized canoes. The water can get low during the Summer and limit the areas to fish. The trout have to resort to deep water areas and pools. Getting around during low water can also be a problem.