Brood XIV Cicada Fly Fishing Report
Treavor Hackenberg
May 31st, 2025
Photos By David Bower
What's the Buzz about?
Hi everybuggy! All the buzz lately is about the brood XIV periodic cicada emergence this year, a big bug that can provide some fantastic dry fly opportunities. Only occurring every 17 years, this is a well anticipated hatch and one that you’ll only get to experience a few times in your life!
Location
Here in Pennsylvania expect the heaviest emergence to be in the center region of the state with some outlying counties seeing small pockets of the bugs. Historically hatches will be good on all of our central PA streams. Expect Penns, Spring and the Little Juniata to have some red-hot action.
Current Conditions
As we know it’s been a very wet/cold May here in central PA. These bugs like to come out with ground temps being in the mid 60’s, with above ground temperatures in the 70’s-80’s to help warm the soil to that point. Warm rain and weather will often trigger an emergence. The nicer days we’ve had have given us a small preview of what their emergence will look like in full force. Consistent hatching will begin when we have a string of warmer weather.
Gear & Patterns
My choice of rods will be either a 4 or 5 wt for trout and a 7 or 8 wt for carp.
When targeting fish on Cicadas you’ll want to fish a larger dry fly around 1”- 1.5” in length (sizes 6-8, 2x long shank) anything with black and orange is going to get eaten! Don’t forget to fish some sunken patterns as well! Later in the hatch fish can get selective and key in on bugs deeper down in the water. A big beefy leader is recommended as turning over these larger flies can be a chore. 7.5’ 2-3x would be a good choice.
Rod Choice & Targeting
Make sure you splat the fly on the water as the natural bugs are horrible flyers and will hit the water with a splash. This will get the fishes attention. Focus on overhanging trees or bushes where a Cicada is prone to falling in the path of a feeding fish, also focus on back eddies where bigger fish can post up for an easier meal.
Timing
Cicadas are primarily active during the daytime where you’ll hear the unmistakable chirp, so fishing opportunities will be plentiful from early morning into the late evening.
The peak of the emergence and the best time to target fish will be the mid-June time frame when these bugs are flying around and falling into the water making an easy snack for hungry fish.
Load Up on Cicadas!
The last hatch occurred in 2008, and I’ve been patiently waiting to experience it again. If you haven’t seen it on the water for yourself don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of mother nature’s greatest spectacles!
I’d recommend stopping in the shop loading up on some fresh bugs and getting out there soon!
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