Another fine and smolty day here at the FFJ bunker. Many entrants displaying their micro trophies, making it a tough call for the judges as the month winds down. Many factors are taken into naming a winner: ferociousness of the quarry, line class, size of fly compared to said smolt, and enthusiasm on the part of the sportsman/woman all contribute to the hallowed title of Smolt of the Month. It ain’t easy. Anyone with an extra several grand and matching ego can get a guide to help them floss a big chinook, but can you bring in that two-inch walleye without sending it a hundred yards south in your back cast? Can you wrest a piling perch to hand on a #6 Clouser? Can you even call that cutty a smolt… or is it a fry?

It is, as they say, the little things that count.

Below photo: Kevin Hospodar sends in what appears to be an epic squawfish.

PJ Filipowicz sends his smolt best and asks: “Did I win?” Well smolt fans?

Duncan Smith sends us this trout taken from fabled Rock Creek, MT. Attitude is everything.

Ryan Findlay gets minnowriffic in Brodhead, WI taken with a #16 hare’s ear.

Mac Shulze says of his smolt: “Sorry to say this was my only fish on my last trip to Canada, good thing I was using my 2wt otherwise it would have ended up in the trees. Size 18 green caddis, for reference. “

Justin Sorensen sent this palm-sized sunfish with no caption or reference to the exceptionally groomed and painted nails. It’s cool; we are all about being an “inclusive” fishing community.