After some heated deliberation in the judges’ quarters, also known as the Smolt of the Month situation room, we’ve come to a unanimous decision and are proud to announce the winner of The Flyfish Journal’s esteemed Smolt of the Month photo contest for June, 2024. Drumroll please….

Oooops, haha we dropped the envelope…it’s so small.

And the Smoltie goes to…Justin Carfagnini with his perch ‘stache! Says Justin of his monstrous catch: “Hooked up with this perch from the pier of a lake house in central Wisconsin. The fight was incredible. I almost had to fire up the pontoon boat and chase this thing down like a big Florida Keys tarpon but my 3 wt Butter Stick/fiberglass rod held strong, and I was able to bring this beauty to my fingers. Small fish rule!”

Above: June SMOTM winner Justin Carfagnini with his monster ‘stache and catch. Photo: Justin Carfagnini

Solid work Justin, and congratulations! Enjoy the micro bragging rights, make sure to rub it in to all your buddies!

All monthly winners will be eligible to win a grand prize package from Decked—including a full set of their D-Co Cases (valued over $900)—as well as a trophy custom-made by The Flyfish Journal staff, in May 2025. Monthly winners will receive prize packages including a Stealth Work Station from Patagonia Fly Fishing and good goods from The Flyfish Journal.

And, of course, tiny ass bragging rights.

A big thanks to our prize sponsors Decked and Patagonia Fly Fishing.

Head on over the the main Smolt of the Month contest page for more information, and to enter your enormously small catches. The July entry window is open through the end of the month.

We’ve also compiled a runners up list with four other outstanding entries in no particular order…

Above: Bass hat trick. Photo: Danny Puser

Danny Puser’s bass hat trick: “Spur of the moment Iowa road trip,” Danny writes. “Made it to our friend (and host’s) place with just enough daylight to slide into a pair of flip-flops and witness dusk at the park pond at the end of the cul-de-sac. Three friends. One rod, rock bass tacklebox (a rock bass tacklebox is as many flies as you can stuff in your shorts pocket without hooking yourself), and a cast from each of us. If you imagine what it’s like catching bass on poppers as it gets too dark to see on the longest day of the year—but three times cooler—than you’d be in the right ballpark. The high fives were crisp. The grins ear to ear.”

Above: Absolute Monster. Photo: Andrew Ellenberg.

Andrew Ellenberg relays the following with his entry: “This absolute MONSTER took a size 12 Turks tarantula and fought like a giant permit! The reason for the marker is because that was the totem for a benefit tournament called the Cheese Cup that benefits Youth suicide prevention.”

Above: Danger minnow. Photo: Jeff Thompson.

Jeff Thompson caught this micro pike: “This beast ate my wooly bugger in a backwater that I thought might have a nice brown or two. I considered just cutting the leader to save my fingers as I didn’t have a boga grip or a cradle but managed to land him after an epic back and forth battle. Enjoy and beware.”

Above: Micro snook. Photo: William Turner.

A saltwater specimen from William Turner: “Dear SOTM: attached is a photo of a micro-snook I caught in the Indian River, FL. The snook was barely bigger than the streamer it ate so one could say its eyes were bigger than its appetite! This is, by far, the smallest snook I’ve ever caught on a fly. For reference, my hand takes a size “Large” glove.”