The Roll Cast...
| Official Newsletter of Feather & Fly |
They're here... The annual Japanese beetle hatch!
The imported pest trout and anglers love and horticulturists hate is once again emerging and with the mild winter we
just had, chances are we will have more than an abundant supply of these chunky terrestrials.
In 1916 the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica was accidently imported into the United States. It quickly spread
throughout the Eastern United States and ranks as one of the most destructive insect pests faced today.
The 1/2 inch metallic green/gold beetle has an appetite that far exceeds its small size and when you combine its
tendency to cluster feed on plants, they can strip vegetation literally overnight.
The imported pest trout and anglers love and horticulturists hate is once again emerging and with the mild winter we
just had, chances are we will have more than an abundant supply of these chunky terrestrials.
In 1916 the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica was accidently imported into the United States. It quickly spread
throughout the Eastern United States and ranks as one of the most destructive insect pests faced today.
The 1/2 inch metallic green/gold beetle has an appetite that far exceeds its small size and when you combine its
tendency to cluster feed on plants, they can strip vegetation literally overnight.
The Japanese beetle has a 1 to 2 year life cycle depending on the latitude of its range. Generally, the
colder the area, the longer the larval stage lasts. Most gardeners and lawn keepers are familiar with
the larval stage and its milky white "U" shape and the brown spots left in the lawn by its root feeding
habits.
The adult stage begins emerging in June and continues through July. Adults feed and mate in clumps or clusters
and since they are awkward fliers, often fall prey to birds, small insect eating mammals and fish.
Japanese beetles are particularly susceptible to pheromone lures designed to bring them to traps in order to
control their damage. Enterprising fly fisherman take the lures, available at most hardware stores, and secrete
them on snags and overhangs at their favorite rivers. The beetles, lured to the spot, circle until they "run out of
gas" and ditch in the river. It doesn't take long for the fish to find the source of the "beetle hatch" and take up
their feeding station.
A simple beetle pattern in size 12 will result in terrific strikes when plunked down below a lure. Use a heavier
than normal leader and hang on.
colder the area, the longer the larval stage lasts. Most gardeners and lawn keepers are familiar with
the larval stage and its milky white "U" shape and the brown spots left in the lawn by its root feeding
habits.
The adult stage begins emerging in June and continues through July. Adults feed and mate in clumps or clusters
and since they are awkward fliers, often fall prey to birds, small insect eating mammals and fish.
Japanese beetles are particularly susceptible to pheromone lures designed to bring them to traps in order to
control their damage. Enterprising fly fisherman take the lures, available at most hardware stores, and secrete
them on snags and overhangs at their favorite rivers. The beetles, lured to the spot, circle until they "run out of
gas" and ditch in the river. It doesn't take long for the fish to find the source of the "beetle hatch" and take up
their feeding station.
A simple beetle pattern in size 12 will result in terrific strikes when plunked down below a lure. Use a heavier
than normal leader and hang on.
Note: The Fly Tying sessions on the 2nd Tuesday of each month have been
cancelled effective this month. We will still offer individual lessons and
plan to resume the sessions in the Fall.
cancelled effective this month. We will still offer individual lessons and
plan to resume the sessions in the Fall.
John's Tips
If you are having trouble with your leader pulling your dry fly under on your pickup, don't forget to apply
a small amount of fly floatant to the leader to within 6 inches or so of the fly. Periodically reapply it and it
will eliminate the problem.
If you fish a streamer and keep getting hits but no hookups, take a size smaller hook and invert it on
streamer hook by fitting the streamer hook through the eye of the smaller hook. This will make short work
of the ones who are just "pecking" at the fly. You can also tie a nymph or micro streamer to the bend of the
larger streamer and increase takes.
If you are having trouble with your leader pulling your dry fly under on your pickup, don't forget to apply
a small amount of fly floatant to the leader to within 6 inches or so of the fly. Periodically reapply it and it
will eliminate the problem.
If you fish a streamer and keep getting hits but no hookups, take a size smaller hook and invert it on
streamer hook by fitting the streamer hook through the eye of the smaller hook. This will make short work
of the ones who are just "pecking" at the fly. You can also tie a nymph or micro streamer to the bend of the
larger streamer and increase takes.
Atlantic Salmon Fly Fishing in Ireland - 2009
Affordable self guided tours at the lodge of your choice
Affordable self guided tours at the lodge of your choice
The Land of Legends
The Land of Legends
The Blackwater Lodge in County Cork
The Delphi Lodge in County Mayo
Feather & Fly is proud to sponsor the Blackwater and Delphi Lodges.
Call John at the shop for information on availability, air transportation
and single or group bookings at no extra charge for our customers.
Call John at the shop for information on availability, air transportation
and single or group bookings at no extra charge for our customers.
click picture to visit Blackwater website
click picture to visit Delphi website