Cicadas

[Urbs]

Not too much longer now…

[John Gillio]

I would think those should work quite well. These are Stealth Bombers. I usually tie them completely black and have had very good luck with them over the years for grass carp, smallies, and the occasional big sunfish. I added red eyes, orange legs, and some orange in the wing to better represent the brood. It’s actually a gurgler that when stripped quickly dives, makes a nice gurgling sound and leaves a nice stream of bubbles behind it. I dead drift them for the carp. Any movement in the fly seems to spook them. I hope my streams are at a level I can wade in when these things start to emerge. Last time it was a blast. 

[Urbs]

6 hours ago, John Gillio said:

I would think those should work quite well. These are Stealth Bombers. I usually tie them completely black and have had very good luck with them over the years for grass carp, smallies, and the occasional big sunfish. I added red eyes, orange legs, and some orange in the wing to better represent the brood. It’s actually a gurgler that when stripped quickly dives, makes a nice gurgling sound and leaves a nice stream of bubbles behind it. I dead drift them for the carp. Any movement in the fly seems to spook them. I hope my streams are at a level I can wade in when these things start to emerge. Last time it was a blast. 

those definitely will work well. i feel like a fly that has the right profile, that has some black/orange, and lands with a satisfying “plop” should get a look. 

i have seen online that folks near springfield are seeing them. my understanding is ground temps need to average 65 or so for several days and then they emerge. should be very fun 

[Kev-mo]

@John Gillio did you really do that well last time the cicadas came? Only ask because threads on others forums indicate it wasn't a feeding frenzy/bonanza. And nice flies!

@Urbs nice flies! I assume the shiny is for the wings. However it reminds me of the belly of the "zombie" cicadas I read about.  The Massospora fungus takes over like the lower third of the cicadas belly and pumps them full of amphetamine and psilocybin so they don't feel anything. Nature is such a trip!!

I thought about picking up some MB sigletts but I didn't see any in the smaller size.

[Urbs]

13 minutes ago, Kev-mo said:

@John Gillio did you really do that well last time the cicadas came? Only ask because threads on others forums indicate it wasn't a feeding frenzy/bonanza. And nice flies!

@Urbs nice flies! I assume the shiny is for the wings. However it reminds me of the belly of the "zombie" cicadas I read about.  The Massospora fungus takes over like the lower third of the cicadas belly and pumps them full of amphetamine and psilocybin so they don't feel anything. Nature is such a trip!!

I thought about picking up some MB sigletts but I didn't see any in the smaller size.

yes exactly, for the wing. just enough of an impression. 

i could probably add red eyes but figure this is a close enough imitation: fat, black, orange wiggly legs with a wing!

[Terry Dodge]

Last Fall I came up with the idea of creating what I call, Organic Flies, using whatever kind of foliage and such, that I could find in my backyard or along my daily walks.  I first snatched a milkweed pod that was just beginning to burst.  Then I grabbed a pine cone from my back yard and also snapped off a foxtail from a weed. There is a ton of interesting stuff  you can find growing that could be used as material.  I plan to find something natural for a bigger head to mimic a cicada. Hopefully in the next few days. 
Milkweed Silk, Pine Cone Peddles, Weed Foxtail, on a size 6 Stnger hook. 

[Urbs]

9 minutes ago, Terry Dodge said:

Last Fall I came up with the idea of creating what I call, Organic Flies, using whatever kind of foliage and such, that I could find in my backyard or along my daily walks.  I first snatched a milkweed pod that was just beginning to burst.  Then I grabbed a pine cone from my back yard and also snapped off a foxtail from a weed. There is a ton of interesting stuff  you can find growing that could be used as material.  I plan to find something natural for a bigger head to mimic a cicada. Hopefully in the next few days. 
Milkweed Silk, Pine Cone Peddles, Weed Foxtail, on a size 6 Stnger hook. 

that’s actually incredibly interesting! maybe a cat tail floats like a cork? 

[John Gillio]

11 hours ago, Kev-mo said:

@John Gillio did you really do that well last time the cicadas came? Only ask because threads on others forums indicate it wasn't a feeding frenzy/bonanza. And nice flies!

@Urbs nice flies! I assume the shiny is for the wings. However it reminds me of the belly of the "zombie" cicadas I read about.  The Massospora fungus takes over like the lower third of the cicadas belly and pumps them full of amphetamine and psilocybin so they don't feel anything. Nature is such a trip!!

I thought about picking up some MB sigletts but I didn't see any in the smaller size.

I did great with grass carp last hatch. I think I may have had a channel cat too. I only was able to get out a few times, but the carp were after them on each outing. 

[John Gillio]

5 hours ago, Terry Dodge said:

Last Fall I came up with the idea of creating what I call, Organic Flies, using whatever kind of foliage and such, that I could find in my backyard or along my daily walks.  I first snatched a milkweed pod that was just beginning to burst.  Then I grabbed a pine cone from my back yard and also snapped off a foxtail from a weed. There is a ton of interesting stuff  you can find growing that could be used as material.  I plan to find something natural for a bigger head to mimic a cicada. Hopefully in the next few days. 
Milkweed Silk, Pine Cone Peddles, Weed Foxtail, on a size 6 Stnger hook. 

Very interesting Terry. Does it float? It looks like it would push some water.

[Terry Dodge]

22 minutes ago, John Gillio said:

Very interesting Terry. Does it float? It looks like it would push some water.

Sure does float. The pine cone peddles are  very buoyant. The milkweed sold is used in life jackets.  

[VanH]

On 5/7/2024 at 10:55 PM, John Gillio said:

I would think those should work quite well. These are Stealth Bombers. I usually tie them completely black and have had very good luck with them over the years for grass carp, smallies, and the occasional big sunfish. I added red eyes, orange legs, and some orange in the wing to better represent the brood. It’s actually a gurgler that when stripped quickly dives, makes a nice gurgling sound and leaves a nice stream of bubbles behind it. I dead drift them for the carp. Any movement in the fly seems to spook them. I hope my streams are at a level I can wade in when these things start to emerge. Last time it was a blast. 

Nice stealth bombers!  They are fish catchers no matter what the hatch is. 

[Jay D]

I'm getting ready to tie up some cicada patterns myself, I'll post my patterns here. I'm wondering with this hatch happening and the warm weather we're having if the smallmouth are going to start taking topwater flies earlier than normal on my favorite creek? The bass aren't usually completely off their beds and in full swing until early July. I suppose it's worth a shot once the water levels settle down.

[Urbs]

2 hours ago, Jay D said:

I'm getting ready to tie up some cicada patterns myself, I'll post my patterns here. I'm wondering with this hatch happening and the warm weather we're having if the smallmouth are going to start taking topwater flies earlier than normal on my favorite creek? The bass aren't usually completely off their beds and in full swing until early July. I suppose it's worth a shot once the water levels settle down.

 

I fished a trib of the fox this past Saturday. zero topwater action for me. all smallmouth taken on small white streamers. water was low and clear.

later fished the dupage for an hour and caught a few rock bass (zero smallmouth). they ate tequeelies. again: zero top water action. 

[Jay D]

I finally made a trip to my favorite creek this evening, and I wasn't at all disappointed. I decided to play it "safe" and start with a small yellow Shenk Streamer and picked up only a few rock bass. I then saw a plop or two on the surface along with some damselflies and cicadas flying around and decided to go topwater. I started picking up large rock bass and a smaller smallmouth or two, and by the end of my trip I had picked up my personal best smallmouth (on this creek anyways,  2.5# plus) on a foam hopper fly. I've found that when the smallmouth are feeding on insects, usually damselflies, they take anything "buggy" and you don't have to match the hatch per se. Good thing as I haven't had time to tie up any cicada patterns. The creek is indeed ahead of its usual "schedule" with beds pretty much empty from what I saw and foam bugs producing a good bit sooner than I normally do for late May. So I'm guessing the mild winter is putting the bass ahead of schedule and the cicada action are likely moving things along.  

You won't hear me complainin'.........

[Urbs]

10 minutes ago, Jay D said:

I finally made a trip to my favorite creek this evening, and I wasn't at all disappointed. I decided to play it "safe" and start with a small yellow Shenk Streamer and picked up only a few rock bass. I then saw a plop or two on the surface along with some damselflies and cicadas flying around and decided to go topwater. I started picking up large rock bass and a smaller smallmouth or two, and by the end of my trip I had picked up my personal best smallmouth (on this creek anyways,  2.5# plus) on a foam hopper fly. I've found that when the smallmouth are feeding on insects, usually damselflies, they take anything "buggy" and you don't have to match the hatch per se. Good thing as I haven't had time to tie up any cicada patterns. The creek is indeed ahead of its usual "schedule" with beds pretty much empty from what I saw and foam bugs producing a good bit sooner than I normally do for late May. So I'm guessing the mild winter is putting the bass ahead of schedule and the cicada action are likely moving things along.  

You won't hear me complainin'.........

hey thanks for the report! that’s crazy exciting. i’m off to the Driftless tomorrow but each weekend going forward will be dedicated to throwing foam at smallmouth. thanks again!

[Jay D]

Around here you can't go wrong with Mr. Wiggly, or at least my version of it. I tied these up this morning. My creek is currently flooded out for the next few days, I think I'll go pond-hopping tonight.