June 2025 Fly of the Month - Cook's Cicada

Brood VIX has emerged here in Ohio and the fishing has been fantastic! When cicadas emerge, this is a great time to catch Carp on top water along with several other species. One fly that has done well on the local lakes and rivers where the brood has emerged is Cook's Cicada.

Cook's Cicada is sold by Montana Fly Company and was designed by Michigan angler, Phil Cook. It is fairly simple tie and very effective! Check out the recipe and step-by-step below.

If you are interested in learning more about Brood XIV check out Cicada Mania or Cicada Safari.

Recipe

Hook: MFC 7050 Aberdeen Hook (Size #4, can downsize if needed)

Thread: Burnt Orange Veevus Thread

Liquid Fusion

2mm MFC High Rise Foam Black palmered up the hook shank

3mm MFC High Rise Foam Black

Orange/Black Centipede Legs

Gray Widows Web or EP 3-D Fibers

Orange Ripple fiber 

1mm MFC High Rise Foam

Step 1

Make thread wraps towards hook barb.

Step 2

Tie in a piece of cut 2mm foam.

Step 3

Wrap foam up the hook shank and tie off.

Step 4

Tie in cut 3mm foam.

Step 5

Create body segments with thread.

Step 6

Tie in rubber legs.

Step 7

Tie in gray widows web or EP 3-D fibers.

Step 8

Fold fibers back and tie off.

Step 9

Add a dab of liquid fusion.

Step 10

Tie in orange foam. Trim wing to desired size.

Finished fly:

Have fun tying this pattern and chasing the cicada bite!

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Carp on Cicadas 2025

Blog post written by Katie Johnstone.

Step-by-step images shared from Phil Cook.