These have always been a problem but this year they seem to be the worse in decades (like the ticks and mosquitoes) in Minnesota. I don't know if they are dogwood, willow, or something else but they are really annoying. They get caught up in your guides, line, and reel and cause your line to snag and not cast nearly as far.

 

The best way I've found to get rid of them is to squeeze them tight and pull them apart. I was wondering if certain line like mono might prevent them from sticking vs. braid and if maybe using 2 pliars might help taking them apart.

 

 

 

 

Does anyone else know how to prevent or stop these or a better way to remove them?

Cottonwood. The only way to avoid it is not to fish. The timing of the air blown fluffs is always during the smallmouth spawn on Lake Erie and the fishing for smallies suck. Just my observation.

Up here (and probably many other places) where it falls in relation to the spawn is different each year.

 

This year it's post spawn for the brown bass & pre spawn or right at the spawn for the green big mouths.

 

I hate the stuff but have had some good outings while picking it off my line.

 

A-Jay

I hate them too, they are always blowing around on the water and catching on the line. I just try to pick them off before they end up on the spool.

Ah, the cursed cottonwood spawn! I just deal with it and fish on!

I run my finger along the line to help pull it off, noticed it sticks more to braid than mono and Flouro