Hey there fellow Smolters, after some hemming and hawing over a number of awesomely tiny Smolt of the Month entries we’ve unanimously decided upon one miniature fish and are proud to announce the winner of The Flyfish Journal’s esteemed Smolt of the Month photo contest for August, 2024.
The August Smoltie goes to…Michael Salomone and his brother Daniel’s tiny Shiner. It’s rare that the old ‘hold the fish closer to the camera to make it look bigger’ trick doesn’t work, and manages to make this cute fella look even smaller. Outstanding. Go small or go home!
Michael writes: “My little brother, Daniel Salomone. We were fly fishing the North Fork of (Redacted to preserve the smoltiness) in southern Ohio. Pretty sure this is an Emerald Shiner. Fierce creatures. Meat eaters! Usually have fangs. I believe they are related to that Monty Python rabbit, beware.”
Above: Daniel Salomone displaying the August Smolt of the Month winner. Photo: Michael Salomone
Solid work Michael and Daniel, we hope you both still have your fingers! And the tiniest of congratulations to the both of you! Enjoy the miniature bragging rights, may your lines be loose with fanged creatures for the foreseeable future!
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 on how to enter your enormously small catches. Each monthly contest entry window will be open for the duration of each month, so get after it!
We’ve also compiled a runners up list with a few outstanding entries in no particular order…
Above: Milwaukee’s best, a proper “pebble” bass. Photo: Ellie Leafgren
Ellie Leafgren writes “Hi! Here is my Smolt of the Month. I found myself in Milwaukee with a fly rod and a couple hours to kill. I think “rock” bass is generous here, pebble bass, maybe?”
Above: Where do all the baby carp go? Michael Minetti knows. Photo: Michael Minetti
From Michael: “I caught this river monster by casting at a school of carp. He may be small but put a nice bend in my glass rod. The only carp that was brave enough to take my fly that day. Who needs a 20 pounder when you can have one that fits in the palm of your hand.”
Above: A beautifully tiny native Appalachian brook trout. Photo: Tim Rogers
Tim Rogers writes “Friends, thought I would pass along a pic that you might consider for S.O.T.M. This fella attacked my size 16ish sparkle dun with some big fish energy on a small mountain stream. I live in the high country of northwest NC and am very grateful to live walking distance to wild brook trout. Cheers!”