As a fisherman, there’s nothing like the thrill of a big bug hatch, and this year, 2025, is shaping up to be something special with the Brood XIV cicada emergence. These 17-year periodical cicadas are about to burst from the ground across parts of the eastern U.S., and I’m already itching to hit the water. From Kentucky to Tennessee, with pockets in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Virginia, and even up to Massachusetts, these noisy critters are going to make waves—literally—for anglers like me. Here’s why this hatch is a game-changer and how I’m planning to make the most of it with the right fly patterns.
Picture this: it’s late spring, and the woods are humming with the deafening buzz of cicadas. Brood XIV, one of the largest 17-year broods, is emerging after sipping tree sap underground since 2008. When the soil hits about 64°F, they’ll crawl up, shed their skins, and take to the trees, creating a protein-packed buffet for fish. I’ve seen hatches before, but this one’s got me excited because these bugs are clumsy fliers. They’ll crash-land on rivers, streams, and lakes, and fish—trout, bass, carp, you name it—go wild for them. The key is being in the right spot, where trees overhang the water, dropping cicadas like candy for hungry fish.
Finding these hot spots is half the fun. I’ll be scouting rivers and streams lined with maples, oaks, or willows—cicada favorites for egg-laying. Places like the forested banks of Tennessee’s South Holston River or Kentucky’s Cumberland River are prime candidates. The U.S. Forest Service maps show Brood XIV concentrated in these states, so I’ll follow the buzz to where the action is. Once I’m there, it’s all about timing. Late afternoons and overcast days are best, as fish move more freely under cloud cover, eyeing those big bugs splatting on the surface.
Now, let’s talk patterns. Cicadas are chunky, about an inch long, with black-and-orange bodies and clear wings. I’m stocking my fly box with foam patterns like the Cicada Bomb or Chubby Chernobyl in sizes 6 to 8. These flies are designed to hit the water hard, mimicking that clumsy cicada splash that drives fish nuts. I’ll cast near banks or under overhanging branches, letting the fly dead-drift or giving it a slight twitch to imitate a struggling bug. If the fish get picky, I’ll switch to a sunken pattern like George Daniel’s Sunken Cicada, weighted with split shot to tempt those deeper feeders. For gear, I’m sticking with a 6-weight rod and 3X tippet—strong enough for big flies and bigger fish.
This hatch, expected from May to June, is a rare shot at epic topwater action. Whether I’m chasing smallmouth bass or trout, I know the cicadas will bring fish to the surface in a frenzy. So, I’m tying flies, checking maps, and counting down the days. If you’re an angler like me, don’t miss this. Grab your rod, find those tree-lined waters, and get ready for a fishing adventure you won’t forget.
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