Cicadas: Fish them fast

Submitted by Chad Shmukler on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 11:57

As mentioned in an article last week, In Search of Cicadas, this year's periodical cicada emergence has turned out to be a highly localized affair. Still, fishermen that have sought out these big bugs have sometimes been rewarded with epic days of top water fishing. Although cicada fishing is winding down in some parts of the east coast, time to enjoy this rare opportunity still exists for many easterners, especially those in the northern range of the Brood II emergence. Should you venture out in search of cicadas, and we highly recommend that you do, make the most of it by fishing your cicadas fast.

Trout and Cicadas
A pretty brookie, belly full of cicadas, that took a cicada fished through a small riffle as darkness closed in.

While out for a couple days of cicada fishing this past week, both on the same stream that is characterized by long stretches of flat or slack water punctuated by relatively short riffle sections, I was struck by how literally every single one of the dozen or so other fly casters I enountered were fishing cicadas through the slack water areas. Me, on the other hand? I barely touched those areas, sticking solely to fishing foam lines and seams in the riffles and runs and only casting into slow moving water when it overlaid a deep hole that looked too good to pass up.

First Impressions: The Redington Vapen Red

Submitted by Chad Shmukler on Mon, 06/17/2013 - 11:09

A couple of weeks ago, Redington sent a 5 weight Vapen Red our way for field testing and we headed out last week to do just that. Although we've only spent a small amount of time with the rod, I thought I'd take the time to relate some initial thoughts on this provoking new offering from Redington. For more about the Vapen, and what makes it different, head here.

Redington Vapen Red
A closeup of the Redington Vapen clearly shows the new 'X-Wrap' blank construction.

Arriving on a new piece of water for the first time, I was hoping to put the Vapen through its paces. Once I arrived, seeing the small (20-30' wide in most places) stream with some of the most consistently dense forest canopy I'd ever seen, I immediately began to fear I had brought along the wrong tool for the job. So much for doing your homework.

And, for the most part, I had brought along the wrong rod for the day. After all, Vapen means "weapon". Redington had built the rod in my hands to fire line, not make delicate 15-20 foot presentations. After struggling to make a few short casts, unable to load the rod properly at such close range, I was about to head back to the car for another rod. I gave it a bit more time however, and given the opportunity, the Vapen started finding ways to shine.