Flys of the Month - June 2011

 

Bec's Cicada	Chad's Blockhead Cicada

 

Thirteen might be an unlucky number for some, unless you are a periodic cicada or a fly fisher in this neck of the woods.

The Magicicada cicadas are currently emerging from their burrows where they have grown for the past 13 years, and are crawling up trees and bushes, to find a mate.  Their distinctive high pitched call is very different from the cycling tones of the big black and green cicadas we see every year in the Ozarks. The periodic cicada emergence is something mythical among those lucky enough to catch its rhythms. Big trout devouring big bugs on the surface and there has already been enough action to suggest the mythology is true, particularly if you are under 16 and fishing Dry Run Creek, or parts of Norfork. If you haven’t, it’s time to get prepared.

Periodic cicadas spend years in burrows waiting their once in a lifetime chance to emerge mate and die while their offspring, continue the cycle of life. If not hard to figure out that any species indulging in such a high stakes roll of the dice would have to do in numbers. Hence the emergences are filled with tales of virtual pestilence of the bugs and mounds of rotting adults covering roads, gardens and the like. And while the cicadas were imbued with an abundance of patience, nature also bestowed a thick, heavy body and 6 short legs. Hence they aren’t the most agile of climbers. They also possess a hefty set of wings, but actually they fly with all the grace of winged bricks. And finally, as fellow guide Duane Hada pointed out, the periodic cicada is soft bodied and easily swallowed, unlike their bigger annual cousins.

Hence we have the happy co-incidence of a multitude of bugs. A lot end up on the water and they “taste” good, which translates into a recipe for some dang good fly fishing.

There are a number of good commercial patterns available from companies like Rainy’s and Umpqua. But if you want to try your own, here are a couple of patterns that we, at Dally’s Ozark Fly Fisher put together and have been fishing with good results

Chad Johnson’s Blockhead Cicada is perhaps more imitative with the oversize wings, and red eyeballs plus the distinctive orange striped abdomen. Prep up the foam with a black permanent marker on one side.

Rabecca Dally’s Cicada is a fast simple pattern using Wapsi’ foam cylinders. It has a decent profile, the orange striped belly and a large deer hair wing for visibility in the afternoon glare. The orange round rubber legs give some lifelike wiggle.

Drop in and see us at the shop, on 62 in Cotter, if you want more detailed tying instructions or to get the materials.
Above all have fun tying and fishing these patterns
Steve Dally

CHAD’S BLOCKHEAD
Hook: TMC 8089 #10
Thread: UTC 140 Fl. Orange
Head: Rainy’s 6mm Black Foam.
Body: Wapsi Fly Foam (orange) 1.5mm or 2mm stickyback
Color one flat side with black permanent marker.
Underwing: Hareline Flashback Orange sheet trimmed to shape.
Wing: Deer.
Eyes: 20lb red Amnesia.

BEC’S CICADA
Hook: TMC 8089 #8/10. #5263 #6
Thread: UTC 140 Fl. Orange.
Body: Wapsi Foam Cylinders 3/8” Black/Brown
Underwing: Wapsi Midge Flash, Rootbeer.
Wing: Deer Body Golden Brown or Bleached.
Legs: Wapsi Round Rubber Medium, Fl. Orange.
Indicator: Orange or Yellow 2mm Foam strip

 

 

Click for Printable Recipe