Forget about leiderhosen, alpenhorns and the chicken dance, October is for smolting. And with the smoltheads bringing the small once again, Patagonia was kind enough to add to the swag with a fine pack, which along with the Smith shades and one year FFJ subscrition package means that the prize is not laughably small, even if your winning entry is. Readers note: input counts in the pontiff-appointing style judging employed.

above photo: Liam Hancock and dad Jeremy. Says dad: “I was in Akumal, Mexico with my wife and 2.5 year old son and I convinced them that it would be a great idea to drive south to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere south of Tulum. Our goal was to make it to the Boca Paila bridge and fish the surf there. I had no idea that it would be an hour drive on the worst gravel road in Mexico. “

The two did, however, manage to land a good dozen fish originally identified as micro permit, but according to FFJ Photo Editor Tim Romano: “Totally bad ass, but it’s not a permit. I actually caught one in almost the exact same spot years ago and came to find out it’s actually a species of Pompano. A close cousin to the permit…” So there you go.

Smoltheads, get your entries in here. Less than two weeks before the Great Smolt rises from the smolt patch and distributes the goods.