For contestants in the CCA STAR Fly divisions, June is the best of the tournament months to catch big trout on the fly. At first light, use poppers. As the morning progresses, move toward baitfish patterns like Seaducers, Whitlock Baitfish and large Clousers. Over reefs, using a baitfish fly with an intermediate sinking fly line will produce more strikes.
For school trout in the marsh, try the VOSI-weighted fly combination. Place the VOSI — the flyrodder’s version of a popping cork — about 30 inches above the fly. The tippet should be at least that long. Using 12-pound mono or fluorocarbon for the tippet will enhance the action of the fly.
Perhaps it’s a sign of the apocalypse, but lakes and bayous have been overrun with frogs since March. Frog-colored poppers in sizes 2 and 6 have been nailing the bass late in the afternoon. That action should peak this month.
Bream action will also be peaking on the live oxbows and larger reservoirs. Try Jitterbees and sinking spider patterns in the morning, and popping bugs late in the afternoon.
Pond fishermen in Orleans and Jefferson parishes report that Rio Grande perch have finally come out from their winter hibernation, and in big numbers. These fish are great fun on a 2-weight rod. Try dark beadhead trout flies or woolybuggers.
