Because trout move freely from deep areas near the levee dams onto shallow shelves in the upper portions of both ponds, there is no simple solution to always being "in the fish". Instead, maximizing success is a function of both tubing and wading. My best advice is that you make no assumptions and ignore no areas or methods, especially when you hit a lull in the action.

As a general rule, fish move onto shallow flats for early morning and late evening feeding, so low-light hours are best for stalking the banks and wading the flats with a floating line. However, a concentration of tubers in the deep areas near each levee dam will push some fish to the upstream end of the ponds, so don't ignore these areas just because they have not produced for a few hours.

When you float tube, remember that your floating device is intended to be fished backward - that is, you are always paddling while facing away from the direction you are headed. This approach accomplishes two things: You are able to move freely about the ponds (i.e., try paddling forward and you'll find that it just does not work) Your slowly moving tube will always keep your line tight. Since you will mostly be fishing wet with sinking or sink-tip lines, the tight line will signal more strikes and always impart movement to your fly. ATTENTION TUBERS: Whenever you fish a retrieved fly (nymph, leech, or streamer), shove your rod tip a few inches under the water. This gives you a relatively straight line to your fly with almost no slack. If you persist with waving your tip around in the air, I guarantee that you will miss an alarming number of soft takes.

Woolly buggers, leeches, bunnies, and streamers (matukas, Clouser Minnows, Zonkers, etc) #6-14 are standard fare. The full range of colors produces, although black, purple, and olive are most popular. Vary your retrieve. Slow retrieves seem to work best, but a fast retrieve can be deadly when the bite is really on. Almost all sinking lines work, but Type I, II, intermediate or sink-tip lines outproduce others. Hi-d or Hi-speed full lines generally sink too fast for the relatively shallow average depth of the ponds.

Because nice populations of Callibaetis, Damsels, and midges are developing, there is an opportunity to sight fish with nymphs and floating lines, or to match bottom-dwelling aquatics with sinking lines. And as the season progresses, these trophy trout become more selective. Consequently, fishing with floating lines, strike indicators, smaller nymphs, and progressively lighter tippets becomes more important as the season progresses. Dry fly fishing is sporadic. At times the fish eat Callibaetis, midges, hoppers, and ants with abandon, but much of the time surface action is practically non-existent.

Overview: Experiment, explore each pond in its entirety. Keep your rod tip in the water when you fish retrieved nymphs or leeches on sinking lines, and don't forget that the bite can start at any time.