It’s been a tough year for marsh trout, but if October holds true to form we should see an inundation of the snaggled-tooth species. A weighted Clouser or Shrimp pattern set 30 inches below a VOSI will be the ticket over reefs, and in cuts, canals and bayous.
Cooler water brings bigger reds back into ponds. It also clears the water and allows for better sightcasting opportunities. While poppers are my favorite fly for fall and winter reds, crab patterns, charlies and spoon flies will almost guarantee a limit.
Spotted bass action should be terrific in the streams of the Florida Parishes and Kisatchie Hills. Poppers and fluff butts will work well, but this year the hot fly for river bass has been the Coyote.
Crappie will be active along structure in shallow water in the Atchafalaya Spillway. Try a Crappie Candy about 2 to 3 feet under a small strike indicator.
Elsewhere, the sac-a-lait will be schooling in reservoirs such as Caney, D’arbonne, Vernon, Kincaid and Chicot, holding to the edges of creek channels in 5 to 15 feet of water. A sink tip added to a floating line will help you get your Fluff Butts or Crappie Candies down to the fish.
Stocking of rainbow trout renews this month in two tailwater rivers just north of Shreveport: Mountain Fork near Broken Bow, OK, and Little Missouri near Murfreesboro, AR. Early in the season, olive or black woolybuggers are all you need.
