October 21, 2006 11:39 pm
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Several readers have inquired about how to collect hickory nut worms as ice-fishing bait, how to keep them happy and healthy until ice comes, and of course, how to fish them when the snow blows in to make safe ice.
It has been several years since I discovered this tiny maggot’s value as ice bait so, I will try to answer the questions that have come our way since. It’s a popular topic, all the more-so when the weatherman starts us thinking of hard-water angling.
First, I think something about this insect’s larval stage is much in order at this point. It is the larva of what I have heard called he hickory nut weevil, and is decidedly a member of the weevil family. I have heard people refer to the hickory nut weevil many times, but as best we can find, it does not exist. There is no such critter out there. There are about as many weevils as there are Heinz Soups, and most of them create larvae that look like the one that at times infests hickory nuts. It does definitely exist (thank heaven for super ice bait). And, this weevil larva, or one that is very similar in looks, will also be found in some other nuts, mainly the acorns of some black oaks.
So the hickory-nut weevil does not exist, and you will find them (if you are lucky) in some hickory nuts and in other nuts. Excuse me if that sounds a bit like Stenglease. It’s the best I can do with the family.
The origin of the hickory-nut weevil, about a quarter of an inch in length and an eighth of an inch wide, is said by varying expert sources to occur in no less than two ways. It supposedly deposits its eggs in the bloom or the nut. I will not attempt to determine which, if either, may be correct, or if there are other methods of getting the eggs (one to three or four) inside the nut. However the egg gets there, it hatches and develops into the ultra-clean maggot (if you still are a smidgen tolerant.). Honest, they are clean. I have known a few ice anglers who kept spare baits between the lip and teeth to keep them warm and have a few spare baits handy. They are not real tasty, they say.
Anyhow, the eggs hatch and the larva (larvae) feeds on the kernel of the nut until fall when it chews a neat little hole (less than 1/8 inch) through the nut (inner and outer shells and hulls) to burrow into the earth, winter over, and start this most-interesting scenario all over again after emerging as adult weevils some time later. Incidentally, the weevil looks nothing like the hickory nut worm. When this metamorphosis occurs is not quite clear, but it may occur in winter or spring in the earth.
I keep them in those little 35 mm. film cans along with a little corn meal and refrigerate the cans (no freezing). This, by the way, is a weakness of digital photography. My wife used to ask what was in the cans, and I always told her what I call hickory nut worm lies, until she cleaned the fridge one day and discovered my lack of veracity. Keep them at 40 degrees and don’t stretch your luck on the fridge.
Baiting hickory nut worms is quite simple.
One uses a very small hook, of course; like the hook of a small ice jig. Just punch them on the point or push the hook through both sides of the worm and let them ride the bend of the hook. Put them close to the bottom; that’s where bluegills usually stay. Incidentally, 2-4 pound-test monofilament is a good line. Before mono was invented the ice-fishing line was usually horse’s mane or tail. Needless to say, horses got a little skittish about the winter as you approached with that ice-fishing sneer on your face.
Harvesting a winter’s supply of hickory nut worms is fairly simple at this time of year. Just pick up nuts that fall under your favorite hickory tree and put them in a paper grocery bag. The worms will chew their way out of the nuts at room temperature. Keep the bags in a metal container and each morning for a week or so you will find your baits in the metal container. I used to keep track of trees that have wormy nuts, but my efforts did not tell me anything worthwhile. All trees sport some wormy nuts, some more than others.
Whatta you do with the nuts that don’t have worms?
Easy game, coach! Just turn the kernels into pies, cookies, cake, fudge or many other gourmet items, or just snacks. They are surpassed only by the worms. Eating them will keep one as regular as Big Ben.
“Bayou” Bill Scifres is a longtime Hoosier outdoorsman who writes from his home in Fishers. He can be reached through the sports department at (574) 722-5000 Ext. 5180 or via e-mail at billscifres@aol.com.
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