I’ve heard about the St. Joe for years. It’s a blue-ribbon trout fishery, and only a handful of rivers earn that designation. The cutthroat here are wild, plentiful, and absolutely stunning. But what makes this place even more exciting is the water itself. The St. Joe river is fast, clear, and technical. You don’t just stroll in with a fly rod and wade fish every bend. This is big, powerful water, and having the right boat is the only way to unlock it.

The Journey to the St. Joe River

The trip started with a long drive. Through deserts, mountains, and miles of open road. Mike had a boat waiting for us: the Approach 138, a three-person fishing raft designed for rivers just like the St. Joe. We loaded up and drove deep into the mountains north of Moscow, Idaho. The drive itself was worth the trip—snowcapped peaks, pine-covered valleys, and Lake Coeur d’Alene glistening along the way.

By the time we got to the river, it was clear we weren’t in for a casual float. Spring snowmelt had the St. Joe running high and rowdy. Mike, who’s spent decades fishing this river, kept saying, “Let’s go higher, let’s go higher.” My thought was, “Higher means sketchier,” but his logic was that fewer anglers meant less-pressured fish. And, honestly, he wasn’t wrong.

Learning the Water

Day one was more of a scouting mission. We watched insects hatching, checked the color and clarity of the water, and tried to make sense of where fish might hold. The St. Joe was loud, fast, and intimidating—like it had an attitude. But that’s what made it exciting.

When we finally hit the water, it was all about precision. The current didn’t allow for second chances. You’d spot a seam or an eddy, make your cast, and hope the fly landed where it needed to—because once we floated past, there was no going back. As I joked on the river, “It’s like speed dating, but for fishing.” Every little pocket of water was an opportunity, and you had to move quick.

Wild Cutthroat Trout

It didn’t take long before everything clicked. Using my Batson Rain Shadow Eternity 2 nine-foot, five-weight paired with Seaguar Grandmax fluorocarbon tippet, I tied on a simple rabbit-strip sculpin pattern. That’s when the St. Joe came alive.

Hooking into a Westslope Cutthroat in fast water is something special. They’re gorgeous fish with a bright orange slash under the jaw, buttery sides, and a fight that’s all power and current. Landing that first fish was one of those moments where everything comes together: the travel, the boat, the scouting, the teamwork with Mike on the oars.

St. Joe River in Idaho Demands Respect

Over the course of two days, we floated 25-plus miles of river. Up high, the water was splashy and technical, with constant rapids that kept us on edge. Downstream, the St. Joe opened up, slowing its pace and revealing wider runs and gentle bends. It was a river of two personalities—wild and intimidating up high, graceful and forgiving down low.

Mike might’ve tried to kill us a few times with his “sketchy water = better fishing” theory, but in the end, the St. Joe delivered. We caught cutthroat after cutthroat, and even got to test the limits of the Approach 138 in some pretty gnarly current.

Westslope Cutthroat Trout Fishing the St. Joe River

Fishing the St. Joe River is an adventure in every sense. It’s not just about catching an amazing fish like the Westslope Cutthroat Trout, it’s about embracing the river’s power, learning its moods, and trusting your team on the boat. For me, it was also about stepping out of my comfort zone. I’ve fished a lot of water across the country, but the St. Joe was unlike anything else.

If you ever get the chance to fish this river, do it. Bring a good boat, a solid buddy on the oars, and be ready for non-stop action. The St. Joe will challenge you, thrill you, and reward you with some of the most beautiful trout you’ll ever hold in your hands.

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Joe from Mainline Overland made the trip down to join, and my good friend Eric Estrada came up from Florida. Add in a local guide with a secret honey hole, a few thunderstorms, and some epic campsites, and this trip checked all the boxes.

Why the Georgia Traverse?

I’ve always loved the outdoors—whether it’s fishing, hunting, or just driving my truck down a backroad. The Georgia Traverse had been on my radar for years. It’s the perfect mix of forest service roads, remote camping opportunities, and cold-water streams that are home to wild trout. Eric and I had talked about running the Georgia Traverse it for a long time. So this trip was our chance to finally make it happen.

Getting Local Fly Fishing Intel

Whenever I’m fishing new water, I like to lean on local knowledge. We linked up with Drew Friedrich of Kaha Fishing Company in Blue Ridge, GA.

Drew runs a killer fly shop but also knows the streams along the Georgia Traverse like the back of his hand. Drew set us up with the right rig: rubber legs with a San Juan worm dropper, plus some streamers in case the trout got aggressive.

With rain in the forecast, Drew decided to take us to one of his nearby spots that wouldn’t muddy up as quickly as others. It turned out to be a super-secret honey hole, complete with a hidden trench where trout love to hang.

Of course, fishing in tight quarters with a 9-foot fly rod isn’t easy—you’ve got to master roll casts and even some bow-and-arrow-style casting. But that’s part of the challenge, and when I finally landed a wild juvenile rainbow, it was worth every missed strike.

Weathering the Storm

Georgia weather doesn’t mess around. Midway through the day, a storm rolled in with heavy rain, lightning, and thunder. Luckily, I had been testing out a new app called OnWater, which made it easy to keep an eye on the radar and plan our next moves. We waited out the storm, regrouped, and got back after it.

Finally Hitting the Georgia Traverse

After fishing with Drew, it was time to meet up with Joe from Mainline Overland and set off on the Georgia Traverse. Blue Ridge served as our jumping-off point, and from there we pushed deeper into the woods.

One of the best parts about fishing along the Georgia Traverse is the camping. We found a prime spot right on the water—plenty of space for our rigs, and even better, a fishing hole just steps from camp. With a four-wheel camper on the back of the truck, it felt like we had a five-star hotel in the middle of the forest.

We set up, cooked dinner, and waited for Eric to roll in after dark. Nothing beats that first night around camp with good friends, good food, and the anticipation of trout fishing at sunrise.

More Trout, More Friends

The next morning, Drew joined us again to walk through some rigs and techniques. Fishing was tough—tight water, tricky casts, and spooky fish—but that’s what makes it so rewarding. After Drew headed back to his shop, we packed up camp and moved on to bigger water he had recommended.

That’s when things really started to click. Joe landed a beautiful rainbow, and Eric—who hadn’t caught a trout in years—hooked into one too. Seeing the stoke on their faces reminded me why I love these trips so much.

Frog Hollow Farm

As if the trip couldn’t get better, Eric mentioned a friend of a friend who had access to Frog Hollow Farm, a gorgeous piece of property with private trout water. Not only did they let us fish it, but they also welcomed us to camp there.

That night we capped things off with Taco Tuesday, complete with venison fajitas. Sitting around the fire, swapping stories, and looking forward to another day on the water—those are the moments I live for.

Georgia Overland Trout Fishing

The Georgia Traverse delivered everything I hoped it would: challenging wild trout fishing, rugged overlanding, and unforgettable time spent with friends. The combination of wild trout, remote forest roads, and southern hospitality made this trip one for the books.

If you’re looking for your next adventure—whether it’s with a rod in your hand, behind the wheel of your truck, or around a campfire—the Georgia Traverse has it all.

Interested in the overland truck I used on this trip? Read more about the GMC Sierra and Project M Four Wheel Camper.

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Front-End Upgrades

Starting with the front, I added an Addictive Desert Designs bumper. Not only does it look awesome on the GMC Sierra Overland Truck, but it also dramatically improves approach angles with added cutaway. Tucked inside is a 12,000lb Warn winch, just in case things get gnarly (which, luckily, they haven’t yet!).

Lighting has been a major focus—there’s a 50” Baja light bar mounted up top, along with one amber Baja Squadron Pro on either side. These bad boys outperform fog lights off-road and throw serious light into ditches and trailside brush.

Tire & Suspension Overhaul

I swapped in Nokian Outpost nATs—about 20,000 miles on them now, and they’re still quiet and gripping everything I throw at them. The Nokian Outpost are mounted on 17” Icon wheels. The tires are 315/70 R17s, which come out to roughly 34×12.5s.

For the front suspension, I installed Bilstein 6112s and upgraded the upper control arms. This let me squeeze out about an extra inch of lift on top of the factory 2” AT4 lift, which helps the truck clear tougher terrain with confidence.

Off-Grid Water System & Shower Setup

Water was the next big leap. Enter the Boonedox Raincloud—a 10-gallon pressurizable metal water tank mounted to the roof via a Prinsu rack. Yes, I drilled into the roof of the truck (and didn’t spring a single leak), but it was 100% worth it.

That system feeds into the Joolca Ensuite shower, complete with a hot water heater and shower floor. It's surprisingly private, even has storage for towels, and if you’re in full conserve mode, you can recycle shower water with a hose drain.

I mounted a DECKED case for all my hoses and a portable pump setup. That way, if I’m near a river, I can draw water directly—saving tank water for when I really need it.

Rear Suspension + More Cargo Mods

Out back, the truck now sports Bilstein 5160s with remote reservoirs and a custom set of heavy-duty leaf springs that add a total of 3” of lift. I’m ditching the old 2” block to clean it up and return to that nice factory rake.

The Prinsu rack up top (technically made for a Silverado, but they’re basically twins) also holds the water tank and can support more lights or gear as needed.

The Full Camp Setup: A Home on Wheels

This GMC Sierra Overland build includes an Alu-Cab 270 awning, which is freestanding and super quick to deploy. I mounted rails all around to support things like the shower, water system, and RotoPax fuel cans. I've also added more Baja S2 Pro flood lights for camp visibility.

In the back, the Project M camper build is dialed in. There’s a roof rack with MaxTrax up top, Overland Solar panel, and inside, a full DECKED drawer system. One side holds a Dometic drop-in dual-burner RV stove—my complete mobile kitchen. The other side is packed with recovery tools, Boxo tool roll, and drill gear.

For propane, I carry a marine-grade fiberglass tank (perfect for my propane outboard motor) and also use it with a LavaBox fire pit and to heat water for the Joolca.

Inside the Camper: Compact Comfort

Inside the Project M, I’m standing on the DECKED platform and only have to slightly duck at 6’. There’s an insulating layer, two MaxxAir fans with rain sensors, and a king-size bed setup with expandable cushions. For solo travel, I sleep sideways and it’s plenty spacious.

Food and beverage storage is handled by the Dometic CFX75, a dual-zone fridge/freezer combo that sips power and stores enough food for days off-grid. It’s been flawless during this trip.

Why the GMC Sierra Truck Works for Overland

This GMC Sierra build has evolved into a capable, comfortable, and self-sufficient overland rig. Whether it's extended off-grid travel or a weekend fishing trip, it handles it all. The modular storage, off-road capability, and comfort upgrades make this truck a real home-on-wheels.

If you're building your own overland rig, or just want a taste of freedom, the GMC Sierra is a platform worth looking at.

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