Break Out Your Fly Rod, Here Come the Bugnadoes!

August 16, 2011

While the 2011 Missouri River flooding may have been disastrous for farmers, it has been a boon for bugs. YouTuber (and storm chaser) extremeinstability captured these vortex-like formations of flying insects that he dubbed "bugnadoes." For those who find insects to be "creepy", this phenomenon is something out of their worst nightmares. I, on the other hand, see an opportunity.

Don't worry about being sucked dry by a giant vortex of mosquitoes. These insects are probably massive hatches of mayflies, as a result of the greatly expanded habitats created by the floods. A smart fisherman would find these "bugnadoes" and break out a fly rod and match the hatch. Such massive hatches of insects usually put fish into a feeding frenzy. While there are no trout in the Missouri River, there are plenty of game fish. One of the greatest warm water fly-fishing targets is the humble carp. Carp readily take dry flies during such hatches, and you haven't had fun until you've hooked into a 10+ lb. carp on a fly rod!  I'm sure the bats, birds, and dragonflies find these bugnadoes to be a veritable flying buffet, too.

Tying up some extra #16 Parachute Adams,

-Jeff D.
Grandview Branch