The Lightning Bug

The Lightning Bug

One of the great things about fishing, kayaking, hiking or any other outdoor activity is that it gives those of us who are willing to observe and pay attention the ability to know what time of year it is without the obvious signs like temperature, humidity or snow etc.  For instance, I always know it is around the last week of April or the first week of May when I see my first Baltimore Oriole and trout anglers can generally tell what time of year it is based on the emerging hatch of aquatic insects on the water.  One of my favorite insects is the lighting bug or firefly (from a biological standpoint, they are truly amazing creatures).  I always know it must be mid-June when I spot the first one of the summer.  With the trout season coming to a close in many places, and the exception of those few year-round streams here and there, my thoughts are turning more and more to "creative" fly tying.  The other night I was thinking about fireflies when I wondered about them during those early evenings in the first few weeks of summer.  Surely a few of these guys must fall into the water and with those lanterns of theirs (lanterns are the term for the section of a firefly's abdomen that lights up)  they must attract some attention.  Do trout eat them?  I don't know but I thought I would tie up something a little different.  The result is The Lightning Bug.  It's not an exact match but I think it may catch a few fish with the various triggers such as the "hot spot" lantern, the starling soft hackle, and the peacock herl shellback but I will have to wait to ask the "real judges."

The Lightning Bug

Hook: C49S Mustad, size 10

Thread: 6/0 Uni-Thread, black

Lantern: 6/0 Uni-Thread, chartreuse

Hackle: starling

Body: (shell back) peacock herl