Developed by Charlie Card, a well-known guide on Utah’s Green River, Card’s Cicada is a simple but very effective pattern. The beauty of this fly, like all cicada patterns, is that it floats well aiding visibility, has some movement, and from underneath has a nice buggy profile, all key factors for trout.

During the Australian summer, the distinct sound of cicadas fills the bush, signalling warmer weather. These large insects, appearing from late spring to March, are not a common food source for trout but can be tempting.

Cicadas end up on the water due to wind, making warm, hot, and windy days ideal for cicada fishing. Impoundments with treed shorelines are prime locations, especially as wind increases and deposits cicadas on the lake surface.

Windward shores and lee shores (calm areas before wind roughens the surface) are also productive, with wading and fishing along the waves recommended. Boats or kayaks in windlanes, where various food items gather, offer another effective option for catching trout during cicada season.

Materials

• Hook: Daiichi 1710, #8 – 12
• Thread: Danville 140 denier, Burnt orange
• Body: Rainy’s Evazote Foam 1.8″, black OR 2mm black foam
• Body: Foam 2mm, orange
• Under body: Hare’s Ice Dub , Rusty Orange OR Hareline dubbin
• Wing: Poly yarn; Zelon, Pheasant Tail colour; or Para Post Norm Wood (Hareline #PPW262)
• Wing: Poly yarn, white OR Sparkle Emerger Yarn (Hareline #SEY72)
• Legs: Barred Sili Floss – Medium – orange/black

John’s Personal tying notes:

• Used Phentex Slipper & Craft Yarn, white for the wing. Find on Amazon.
• Used Zelon, pheasant tail colour as first wing and poly yarn tied on outside of first wing.

Related Posts