Speckled trout action should be gangbusters this month after a colder than normal spring. There was plenty of clear water in April and that favors topwater action. Perch-float poppers or Bob’s Bangers in green/white or chartreuse, foil pencil poppers in gold or silver, or Skipping Bugs in red/white worked great this month last year.
When it’s a bit too windy or too late in the morning or too sunny for topwater action, be prepared to fish charlies or clousers under a VOSI (flyrodder’s popping cork). Lightly jerk the tip of the fly rod to get the pop, then pause a couple seconds before popping again. Most of the strikes will come on the pause.
Reds will be thick in the grassy ponds now that shrimp and crabs have flooded the interior marshes. Shrimp and crab patterns will work best, but in thicker grass, go with bendbacks and spoon flies. Also try poppers early for some exciting action.
Bream should be busting over every lake and bayou across the state. In addition to the oxbow lakes as described in this month’s column, waterways inside the Atchafalaya Spillway will offer great fly rod action on crappie, bream and bass. The early bream run on Lake D’Arbonne and the redear run on Caney Lake also should be on your “fly fishing wish list.”
May brings the start of excellent topwater bug action for bass. Hair bugs, Flip Flop Poppers and Boogle Bugs work best early and late in the day. During midday, try heavy-weighted Woolybuggers and the Sqwirm Worm, which mimics the baitcasters’ plastic worm.
