Chasing the Cicadas

[JeffP]

excellent!

Last week a guy at Penns was collecting Cicadas and fishing them live.

 

[sarce]

One of many...my group and I were in awe of what we experienced. I feared cold and rain would stop the bugs and although it slowed them down a bit, the fish were fired up anyway. We could do no wrong. The lesson for me is don't overthink the conditions. If it's at a safe level, and I know some places are currently not, just get out there!

 

[jifigz]

One of many...my group and I were in awe of what we experienced. I feared cold and rain would stop the bugs and although it slowed them down a bit, the fish were fired up anyway. We could do no wrong. The lesson for me is don't overthink the conditions. If it's at a safe level, and I know some places are currently not, just get out there!

Yep, I found cicada eaters today. I'll try to post a report in a bit, but might not have time until tomorrow.

 

[ROVERT]

Yep, I found cicada eaters today.

Me too.

I started fishing streamers this morning with pretty decent success. The cicadas started making noise around 9:30 but there were none on the water or even in the air. I decided to prospect with one anyway. I'm very glad I did. The fish are looking for them even if there aren't any on the water. I landed somewhere between seven and ten fish without seeing a real cicada on the water and only a couple in the air. I can't imagine what I could have done if water conditions had been decent and I could have waded.

Here are a few of the fish:

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Watch Scott Major's latest video if you want to see a couple 20+ inch fish eat cicadas in 700 cfs. You can see one porpoise out of the water for it. Crazy stuff. No glow bugs or isonychia in sight 😉

 

[dryflyguy]

Last week a guy at Penns was collecting Cicadas and fishing them live.

Not surprised by that.
Used to see locals there fishing with live green drakes too.
Impale several on a hook at one time.
Called "bouquet" fishing

 

[ROVERT]

Watch Scott Major's latest video if you want to see a couple 20+ inch fish eat cicadas in 700 cfs. You can see one porpoise out of the water for it. Crazy stuff. No glow bugs or isonychia in sight 😉

Those are some fat fish. I'd have loved 700 cfs. I can wade just about anywhere I want at that flow. I now get excited when I see it get down to 1100 and I can cross in a few places.

I've blocked off the entire month of June in 2042. I'm actually hoping for similar weather in 17 years so the water temps stay fishable through the whole month. I should have enough flexibility in my life at that point that I'll be able to hit the best times.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Tuesday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

FU**!

 

[wgmiller]

Tuesday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

FU**!

I was planning on heading up Thursday. I have a few small cicada streams that are options, but damn, this non-stop rain is making it a challenge!

 

[tjsingle]

Tuesday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

FU**!

Ouch... That stinks.

 

[Nocktavius]

And the temps are gonna hit the 90’s next week, so she’ll still probably be toast before July. Honestly the penns trout needed the break they’re getting this year. Those fish in Scott’s video were the first no doubter 20’s I’ve seen come out of there in years.

 

[JeffP]

Me too.

I started fishing streamers this morning with pretty decent success. The cicadas started making noise around 9:30 but there were none on the water or even in the air. I decided to prospect with one anyway. I'm very glad I did. The fish are looking for them even if there aren't any on the water. I landed somewhere between seven and ten fish without seeing a real cicada on the water and only a couple in the air. I can't imagine what I could have done if water conditions had been decent and I could have waded.

Here are a few of the fish:

View attachment 1641243291View attachment 1641243292View attachment 1641243293View attachment 1641243294View attachment 1641243295

Penns? If I may ask.

 

[ROVERT]

Yes.

 

[JeffP]

And the temps are gonna hit the 90’s next week, so she’ll still probably be toast before July. Honestly the penns trout needed the break they’re getting this year. Those fish in Scott’s video were the first no doubter 20’s I’ve seen come out of there in years.

Yeah, looks like we will be there for the 90s. Ugh.

 

[JeffP]

Watch Scott Major's latest video if you want to see a couple 20+ inch fish eat cicadas in 700 cfs. You can see one porpoise out of the water for it. Crazy stuff. No glow bugs or isonychia in sight 😉

Yeah that was pretty amazing. Basically heavy non-descript heavy riffle. It just seems like fish could be anywhere at 700 and to see him plucking out big fish like that was something. Fishing Penns at some really low fall flows, you just wonder where all those fish are. I'm starting to think I really suck at trout fishing.