What to do about Cicadas? Tasty mana from heaven for fish.

 

Magicicada from Wikipedia. Thanks Wikipedia!

So I learned this week that the 17 year Magicicada hatch is due to occur in the following US states; CT, MD, NC, NJ, NY, PA, VA.  Normally with a distribution like this I can expect a few errant insects in my neck of the woods in Ontario.

After a very brief tour of Wikipedia and a few fishing sites I have found out three things.  First, lots of cicadas crash violently into the water, cicadas look delicious, and finally they are a much more popular pattern in New Zealand than the rest of the world.

Eagle Claw Featherlight Fly Rod 7’6″ 5-6wt – A study in expectations.

A few days ago I received an Eagle Claw Featherlight which I ordered from Cameron Mortenson of the Fiberglass Manifesto.

I ordered the rod after reading two or three excellent reviews that were posted on the Fiberglass Manifesto. Cameron has posted a review that he wrote a few years ago and continues to get favorable reviews from around the globe. I figure what is the harm in buying a $40 rod. So I jumped in.

The fly fishing world is flooded with the equivalent of fly fishing porn. Gorgeous rods, sparkling reels, elaborate flies and huge fish. It is inevitable  to develop high expectations for gear in this sport. It is important to check all of those expectations before looking at the Eagle Claw Featherlight Fly Rod.

The Weekender – Wader Shootout, Great Pliers, and the Flies I Am Tying Tonight.

What a great week on the web.  ‘Tis the season for buying or dreaming about new gear, and tying lots of flies.  Here are a few of the posts from this week for both.

Gear

Yellowstone Angler – Wader Shootout 2013

 

Wader Shootout 2013 – The guys from George Anderson’s Yellowstone Angler have done their homework and perhaps put together the most complete wader review I have ever seen.

 

 

 

$40 Plier Review – Midcurrent

 

 

Video: $40 Pliers – I am not a saltwater guy, but due to some of the pike, musky and gar we have here in the Ottawa region, I always carry some.  These Manley’s look great, and come highly recommended.

 

 

Flies

Dan Flynn’s Marabou Streamer – Gink and Gasoline

 

The White Marabou Streamer – Here is a fly that I am sure catches fish in any water that holds them.  Tied by Dan Flynn, with video, and brought to us by the guys at Gink and Gasoline.

 

 

 

 

Fly Fish Food – Mylar Prince

 

Mylar Prince Nymph – This combination between the Rainbow Warrior, and the Prince Nymph looks awesome and just might have the right dark silhouette and flash for those spring high water conditions that are just around the corner.