Dave Zielinski
Fly Fisher, Fly Tier, Boat Builder
For the last 20 years, Dave Zielinski has been tracking down periodical cicada emergences to figure out their mystery and the fish that hunt and devour them. Dave’s book Cicada Madness: Timing, Fishing Techniques, and Patterns for Cracking the Code of Epic Cicada Emergences is the culmination of his experiences and is currently the only dedicated resource for fly fishing and cicadas. Dave resides in rural western Pennsylvania with his wife, three daughters, and two German shorthaired pointers, where he spends his spring and summer chasing fish and chasing birds over dogs in the fall. He is also the owner and operator of Down Home Boat Works, where he designs and builds custom wooden drift boats for fly fishing and river running.
Listen to Dave Zielinski's Show...
Cicada Madness
Dave Zielinski has been tracking down annual and periodical cicada emergences in an effort to figure out their mystery and the fish that hunt and devour them for the past 20 years. If you'd like to zero in on one of these epic emergences, tune in and learn from Dave about the timing, fishing techniques, and patterns that you'll need to crack the code.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What makes cicada emergences so significant for fly fishers?
- What does a cicada look like?
- How many different species are there?
- What is the life cycle of cicadas?
- What is the difference between periodical and annual cicadas?
- How often do the periodical emergences occur?
- How long does an emergence last?
- When is the best time of day to fish during a cicada emergence?
- What signs are there that an cicada emergence is happening?
- What are the differences between the 13 and 17 year cicadas?
- What color combinations are best for cicada fly imitations?
- Do you have a favorite fly size and pattern?
- What presentation methods work best when fishing with cicadas?
- Is there an online source that tracks cicada emergences?
