Bodkin / Patterns

Perfect Cicada

Terrestrial · Trout · Smallmouth Bass · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook 2XL dry/terrestrial hook, 8-12
  • Thread black 6/0

Materials

  • Closed-cell foam sheet Black craft foam mm (1 strip)
  • Closed-cell foam sheet (underbody) Orange foam strip (1 strip)
  • Krystal Flash Pearl flashabou (few strands)
  • Deer or elk hair (underwing) Natural deer hair (small clump)
  • Poly yarn / Zelon wing Gray or white yarn (small bunch)
  • Rubber legs Black barred rubber legs (2 pairs)
  • Hi-vis foam or yarn indicator Orange poly yarn (small tab)

How to tie it

  1. Lay a thread base along the shank and bind a black foam strip at the bend, leaving the tag hanging to fold forward later.
  2. Tie in an orange foam underbody accent, then a few strands of pearl flash and a sparse deer-hair underwing extending to the bend.
  3. Lay a flat poly or Zelon overwing tent-style over the body, tips reaching just past the bend.
  4. Fold the black foam forward over the wing to form the back and segment it with two thread cinches, creating a rear and thorax segment.
  5. Add a rubber leg on each side at both segment cinches so they splay out.
  6. Tie a small orange foam tab upright at the head as a sight post, whip finish under it, snip, and add a drop of head cement.

Tying videos

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