ESPN Freshwater

There is no doubt, trees are signs of the times for outdoorsmen.

For example, blooming dogwoods tell us it's "crappie and/or turkey time." Hickory trees, especially those with hickory nut shavings scattered beneath them in sawmill piles tell us it's squirrel season. And white oak trees raining acorns in fall, means you need to be in a deer stand.

Catalpa trees are no different. Thanks to the catalpa sphinx moth and its larva stage — known as the famed catalpa worm — these trees are a "go fishing" sign.

In its life cycle the sphinx moth larva feed on the leaves of the tree … the tree being a partner with these insects for existence.

When these larvae hatch out, they literally infest the tree feeding on its leaves. They are great fish baits, especially for catfish. And you can always tell when the worms are in season. Riding along rural roads you are apt to see many fishermen in roadside fields, going aloft to shake-down catalpa worms and collect them for bait.

Of course, the first obvious benefit of catalpa trees to me was not fishing. I only learned that later.

When I was a kid, we had several catalpa trees growing around our home. I was told my grandfather had once used them as fence posts, when needed.

But the one in my back yard was primarily used for entertainment, at least until I learned of its serious value for fishing.

Truly, there can be no greater joy for a young boy than to witness the awe-inspiring reaction of a sister wearing a strategically-placed catalpa worm.

Catalpa worms probably invented the word "adhesive." Lord, knows my sister invented some new words that day, too, as a catalpa worm clung to her like white on rice.

Funny, I don't remember her ever being all that athletic, nor ever winning that many foot races … but then she never competed with a catalpa worm on her neck, either.

Maybe she should have?

Of course, I have other reflections and wonders in regards to catalpa worms.

For example, I don't know what it is about them and old metal wash tubs, either. But for some reason in my part of the world, catalpa worms and washtubs go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Maybe it's just the most readily available container? Maybe it's easy to toss the worms in a big tub when you're collecting them? Maybe it's that it's easy to retrieve them from such a tub when you are fishing? Or maybe it's just tradition.

"See that old tub over there hanging in the barn? My great-great-great grandpappy used to use it to store his catalpa worms in … and we do the same … "

Hey, there's a lot to be said for tradition. But whatever the reason, at many a fishing hole in summer, if you see anglers fishing with catalpa worms, you are very likely to look over in a johnboat and see a big wash tub loaded with worms and the catalpa tree leaves they like to eat.

Some people even freeze them for later use. I have fished with the frozen ones and caught some fish, but the frozen worms never seem to be quite as productive as those plucked fresh, plump and juicy from the tree.

I've read that the "caltapa" came from the name given the tree by a Native American tribe — Catawba of South Carolina. I also read that the Native Americans smoked the bean pods of the tree for questionable "medicinal" or hallucinogenic purposes. Therefore, the tree has also been called "smoking bean," "Indian bean" and "Indian cigar tree."

Now I don't know about getting "high" ON catalpa trees, but I do know a few friends that got too high IN their branches while trying to collect worms.

One friend in particular, made a bad decision while out on a limb for fishing worms, and bounced off several branches on his way down. After he got his breath back, he did confirm it was a trip to remember.

Today, (such is another sign — but of the times) you can even order catalpa tree seeds off the Internet. Heck, in a few years, you can basically grow a bait shop in your own back yard.

Now that's a sign, too. And if you ask me, it's one that says, "bargain."

Taylor Wilson is editor of Mid-South Hunting and Fishing News. He can be reached via e-mail at taylorwilson@billdancefishing.com.