cicadas

[Brown_Trout]

Are you PA guys ready for the  cicadas hatch? I am ready for this hatch. I tied about a dozen of this flies. I'll post a picture of one later.

[Brown_Trout]

Here is an interesting article I found. Also heres another interesting info on this site too. http://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/fa...cal_cicada.htm

Introduction

Flyfishers are accustomed to organizing their sport around seasonal or annual events. Spring is mayfly season, with a logical progression from Baetis to Sulphurs to Green Drakes. Summer is Trico and terrestrial time, and trout spawn in autumn. These cyclical rhythms are a much anticipated, almost predictable part of fly fishing on which anglers depend for much of their success.Only once in a great while does an event unfold that breaks the mold. The year 2008 will bring such a happening�the emergence of Brood XIV of the periodical cicada. This month-long caloric bonanza tempts not only lunker trout to the top but also smallmouth and carp. It is a hatch to be planned for and eagerly anticipated.

Entomological Background

Like aquatic insects it pays to know a bit about the life cycle and behavior of terrestrial insects like cicadas. Often and incorrectly referred to as 17-year locusts, there are cicadas with both 17- and 13-year life cycles. Cicadas with the longer life cycle are the three northern species, while the three southern species have 13-year lives. There is some overlap in their distribution.The last major Pennsylvania periodical cicada emergence was Brood X in 2004. Brood X touched Central PA in the Juniata River drainage, but its prime area of importance was generally south and east of Harrisburg. Brood XIV will impact primarily central and north central Pennsylvania. In fact, this year should see them on Spring, Penn�s, and Fishing Creeks, the Little Juniata River, and the numerous freestoners to our north.Cicada nymphs live in the ground for almost sixteen years and eleven months. In late May or early June, the nymphs emerge from the ground and ascend vegetation to split their shucks and emerge. The appearance of the shed skins on trees, bushes, and weeds is the first sign that cicadas are in the area.Areas of heavy infestation can also be identified by sound. The males sing to notify females of their presence and attract them, and by simply driving or walking along area streams, you can hear where they are heavy. On warm afternoons when they are most active, the noise can be extremely annoying. These places are, of course, the best places to fish.Adult cicadas are strong but clumsy fliers and frequently wind up on the water, even at midstream on larger rivers like Penn�s Creek and the Little J. Like other terrestrials cicadas also fall into the water or are blown into it by strong winds. Top fishing strategies include patrolling the banks and pitching casts tight to them and under bushes and riparian trees, just like when you fish ants and beetles. Rises to these large insects are showy, and it is not difficult to spot fishing eating cicadas. After mating the females lay hundreds of eggs in twigs. The tiny nymphs hatch in August and enter the ground, where they suck juices from plant roots for the next seventeen years. The adults are not so lucky, and by Independence Day, the woods fall silent again, the adults having served their sole purpose, reproduction.

[Nymphmeister]

Wonder if we get any of those in CT? Anybody know?

[Troutbum from Griswold]

I think we have them in CT Torrey but I am not positive. I believe they are related to the grasshopper or locust. I know certain waters in New Zealand has these and they make for awesome dry fly fishing in season.

[Brown_Trout]

Heres the picture of the Cicada I tied for this year 17 year cycle. This pattern was created by George Harvey since I got this tying recipe out of his book. I will post the tying recipe later.

[alanb_ct]

We definitely have them in Connecticut, and they are part of the same 17 year cycle. I believe the same insect and hatch occurs from CT to the midwest and beyond (Kansas). There are other cicadas with slightly different emergence cycles and periods. Every summer in August, there are huge numbers of cicadas around my home. They emerge from the ground, climb my trees, split open their exoskeleton and fly away. They are big stocky insects and fly erratically, landing in the tops of trees and calling (chirping) constantly.

As far as there importance for the CT trout fisherman, I don't know.

[Nymphmeister]

That would be cool if we get a "hatch" (read that: infestation) of them in CT. They are a good #8-10, 2xl hook size bug. They tie some excellent imitations of them in New Zealand & out West, esp. on the Green River. Lots of foam & rubber legs.

[Nymphmeister]

Here's an article & pattern for Cicadas from Fly Fisherman's website:

http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/brcicadas/

Here's a pattern from Loren William's website, a new TPO member- he's an upstate NY fishing guide & Team USA member. He also has the best fly tying tutorials on his website that I've seen:

http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/cicada.html

[Brown_Trout]

[quote author=Nymphmeister link=topic=1403.msg9700#msg9700 date=1205112711]
Here's an article & pattern for Cicadas from Fly Fisherman's website:

http://www.flyfisherman.com/ftb/brcicadas/

Here's a pattern from Loren William's website, a new TPO member- he's an upstate NY fishing guide & Team USA member. He also has the best fly tying tutorials on his website that I've seen:

http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/cicada.html
[/quote]

The FF article on the cicadas looks like sweet looking pattern to try.

[Fascist Killer]

What's interesting about cicadas is the physiological differences between those that happen every summer giving us that late summer humming buzz on those hot days, and the 17-years that occur in locust plague proportions. I think the ones you hear and see annually have a 3 year life cycle, but don't quote me on that. Been a long time since I did my science report on them in 6th grade. Hahaha. They have black backs and white undersides and are quite large in comparison to 17-year cicadas. The three-year, like stoneflies, hatch every year so you have cicadas at different stages of development underground. The 17-years are smaller and entirely black with bizarre red eyes. Both have clear wings like a dragonfly after they dry out on the side of a tree. The three year cicadas have some outlining of green in their bodies. I think if you're tying an imitation for a three year, which in our wooded streams may end up falling in from time to time cuz they fly very erratically, you gonna need a big long shanked hook. maybe like a 6 or an eight; whereas the 17-years you might get away with like a 10 or a 12. Don't quote me on that though. I'm just guestimating from having captured both. The 17's hatched here in 03, so its been a while since I've seen one.

Here's a picture of your "annual" cicada, the three year variety:

http://www.cicadahollow.com/resource...90_Cicada2.jpg

http://www.cirrusimage.com/homoptera/cicada_1.jpg

vs. the 17 year:

http://www.kenoshanews.com/cicada/images/cicada_000.jpg