As a fly tier, certain things catch our eye or peak our curiosity in instances where non-tiers would see nothing more than a dead bug. Such was the case when I "stepped across" this unlikely modelling participant. Instantly I paused, thought to myself "Awesome, nothings broken!" And put it in my car. Upon getting it home and a bit of studying I came to the realization that it in fact had several characteristics akin to "Whistler's Mother".

1: Neither this Cicada nor Whistler's Mother had planned on a modelling career on their given day.


2: Both....only after close study....have truly amazing characteristics when applied to the canvas.


3: Both needed to be propped up for the duration of their work.


4: And lastly, both appeared to have recently spend 10-13 years in the dirt.


Nevertheless!


After the piscatorial romance we fly tiers share with Entomologists passed over like a wave, I gathered up my model and headed for the bench.





Cicadidae's Mother Recipe

Hook: 2/0 Gamakatsu Stinger
Thread: Black 3/0 Uni-thread
Body: Brown & Green Fly Foam
Wing: Nylon Mesh
Abdomen: Root beer and Black Shiraz
Legs: Yelllow and Olive Centipede
Eyes: Paracord W/Melted ends

http://www.ralphsflybox.com/2017/08/cicadidaes-mother.html