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Deer Hair Cicada with artificial wings. |
The cicada pattern is a popular surface fly to use when this insect is chirping in high summer. I have been at Lake Selfe, in the Canterbury high country, when hundreds of them have been making a deafening racket. They all seem to sing at once. The sound is a loud chirping, with a click noise at the end caused by a flick of the insect's wings. Only the males make this noise.
Tied from deer hair on a size 4-8 hook the cicada is an easy fly to tie. Nowadays many anglers employ modern materials when tying cicada patterns. You can guarantee your fly will float by making the body from closed cell foam. Plastic wing material, sold in tackle stores for the purpose, gives the finished fly a very life-like appearance.
Left floating on the surface ambush style a few gentle twitches are all that is required to have your fly "buzzing" with movement irresistible to any cruising brownie.
See also: Beetles for Trout and New Zealand Killer Patterns.
You might also be interested in surfcasting at Kaikoura. Make this handy surfcasting trolly. Surfcasting locations around Canterbury. A big eagle ray caught surfcasting in Golden Bay. Get yourself a Saltec thumb caster especially if fishing with braided lines. Have you tried surfcasting at night.
Sea Fishing around New Zealand
