What type of fly is this,or is it even a fly?

This thing was about 3"-4" long and about 1" wide! I have never seen a fly this big. I took this with a crappy camera and it came out beautifully because of the size of this sucker.

 

That is a locust or cicada.

               -gk

cicadas?

Thanks,looks like you guys are right.

I didn't know they got that big.

I don't know and I don't care. If it was near me it would be a dead fly!!!! ;D

Great bait too. As grubs they feed on tree roots. When they mature they crawl up the tree, then shed their skins. After drying out, they fly off. Many fall off the tree when climbing up, and if the tree or limbs hang over the water, they fall in. Fish will gorge on the fallen cicadas. During a hatch out use them for bait and cast under trees. We have tons of them here.