Parachute Adams, comparaduns, and thorax patterns in sizes 16 to 20 are all effective. For difficult fish, a Quigley Cripple can be the answer. In late May, experienced anglers begin listening with anticipation for a buzzing in the trees. This is usually the first sign that the cicadas have begun to hatch. The large, clumsy terrestrial insects can cause big trout to throw caution to the wind when the hatch is really on.
Cicadas have cyclic populations, so insect numbers can vary widely from one year to the next.
The most popular patterns have bodies of black foam with calf tail wings sizes 6 to 10, and are good floaters. Nymph fishing is very popular and effective on the Green. Tungsten bead head nymphs have been very successful since they were introduced. This is most commonly a cicada or another large, good-floating dry fly with a bead head nymph hanging 18 to 48 inches below. Tying tippet to the bend of the hook on the large dry fly does not seem to compromise its hooking ability.