Jeff's 2013 AR Shad Update

[Jeff C.]

Well, this shad season has started out early and with a bang! Wasn't going to fish because of the strong North wind, but after the wind died down this afternoon, I went home, got my gear and headed down to the lower river. Shared a spot with Fishsniffer and we had a fun evening. He got 6 and I got 18. Again, they don't seem to be holding and we were just picking them off as they were moving up. Type 8 tip and size 10 Beady Maria!

[Jeff C.]

14 this evening. Type 8, Bloody Maria and Beady Maria. Getting crowded. One other guy and me last night. Tonight 7 gear guys (Guppy was one of them) and me. Tomorrow night 15 guys and me? It's too bad that with the low flows there are limited spots in the lower river that is prime water. I praying that the flow goes up so they move upstream faster.

[Jeff C.]

FYI, a guy was robbed between Glenn Hall Park and the river this evening. Watch you back when fishing the lower river. Lots of strange people hanging out down there!

[Jed Peters]

FYI, a guy was robbed between Glenn Hall Park and the river this evening. Watch you back when fishing the lower river. Lots of strange people hanging out down there!

Sad, sad, sad. I have had friends themselves get run off the bike trail on the other side of the river around there, beaten badly and bikes/personal effects stolen. Never heard of it on that side of the river, myself.

Stay safe out there people.

[Mark Kranhold]

Getting crowded. One other guy and me last night. Tonight 7 gear guys (Guppy was one of them) and me. Tomorrow night 15 guys and me?

Jeff, thank the Internet for that! Word travels....

[Jeff C.]

Mark, I glad that we're talking about shad here and not steelhead (there you probably be a lynch mob looking for me). You're right about lurkers searching the various web fishing sites for intel. I'm guilty of doing that myself. I'm sensitive to spot burning so I will only mention general areas of the river (i.e., lower, middle, upper). Right now it's the lower AR. Flows are low so you have to search for prime water to fish.

[OceanSunfish]

Sad, sad, sad. I have had friends themselves get run off the bike trail on the other side of the river around there, beaten badly and bikes/personal effects stolen. Never heard of it on that side of the river, myself.

Stay safe out there people.

Very sad. I regarded that access area as one of the safest to park and walk, etc. I used to think that these events were isolated instances and rare..... now it seems like there is no fear by these idiots. At one point, we needed shuttle service on the rivers.... will we need armed escorts someday?! Joe S. packing heat!? :)

NO more soft jails, 3 meals a day, MRIs, CAT Scans, etc...... bring back the rock piles, chain gangs and bread and water......

[wishnbfishn]

A CCW permit is the way to go. That's what I do, and unfortunately, it saved my bacon along the American recently. Muggers back down from a 9mm staring at them.

Wishn

[Scott V]

A CCW permit is the way to go. That's what I do, and unfortunately, it saved my bacon along the American recently. Muggers back down from a 9mm staring at them.

Wishn

Never leave home without it!!

[Jeff C.]

12 this evening. A guy fishing this evening gave me the details about the robbery last night. A guy was fishing at the small beach above Paradise and 8 guys mobbed him in the water. He gave them everything he had.

[winxp_man]

Very sad. I regarded that access area as one of the safest to park and walk, etc. I used to think that these events were isolated instances and rare..... now it seems like there is no fear by these idiots. At one point, we needed shuttle service on the rivers.... will we need armed escorts someday?! Joe S. packing heat!? :)

NO more soft jails, 3 meals a day, MRIs, CAT Scans, etc...... bring back the rock piles, chain gangs and bread and water......


Well our gubermint does not want us to protect ourselves. I mean look at what they want to do. They think they only need CCW's or armed guards or firearms at their disposal.

And hell yes for a CCW. Its just not safe out there because we live in a screwed up world............

[Ed Wahl]

Be afraid, be very afraid. Don't go out there, you'll be killed, robbed, maimed, disfigured, tortured, violated, embarrassed, etc, etc, etc. If I were you I'd never set foot in the outdoors, it's way too dangerous. Sell off that worthless fishing stuff to Ed Wahl as soon as you can to insure you're survival. Golf is the only safe option left. Take it up and for the love of Christ stop fishing right now. Think of the children! (thanks for that Brian) Ed

[Jeff C.]

Woohoo! The flows got bumped overnight to 1200 cfs. Although it would be nice if it was at least twice that, any increase will help to bring them in and move up the river.

[wishnbfishn]

Sweet! How high up are they now? I'd like to take a youngster out and introduce him to shad fishing Saturday. If he caught one, he'd be hooked!

Thanks all.

Wishn

[winxp_man]

Nice to see some water come down river I will be going out soon. I have been busy with some projects and hope to get some free time this week coming up......





Be afraid, be very afraid. Don't go out there, you'll be killed, robbed, maimed, disfigured, tortured, violated, embarrassed, etc, etc, etc. If I were you I'd never set foot in the outdoors, it's way too dangerous. Sell off that worthless fishing stuff to Ed Wahl as soon as you can to insure you're survival. Golf is the only safe option left. Take it up and for the love of Christ stop fishing right now. Think of the children! (thanks for that Brian) Ed

Trolling much?

[Jeff C.]

I heard that they are up above Watt. The bump in flow will help to get them higher.

[randypants916]

I heard that they are up above Watt. The bump in flow will help to get them higher.

i too have heard this, gunna hit it pretty high in the morning just to see :p

[Ed Wahl]

It is sounding good, especially for April, I think I'll be getting out soon too. Thanks Aron, sometimes it gets away from me. Ed

[Jeff C.]

Fished for 7 hours today. Did a lot of recon in the lower river fishing 5 spots. The increase in flow has spread them out. Only 2 the first 5 hour but got 10 in the last 2 hours.

[Jeff C.]

I've been getting a lot of questions about the Bloody Maria and Beady Maria. The only difference between the two flys is the Bloody Maria has a thread body and wire rib while the Beady Maria has a bead body. They both catch shad equally and I think the Bloody Maria is studier since the beads on the Beady Maria break easily. For those of you that don't tie your own flies you can get the Bloody Maria at Kiene's. FYI, even gear guys are using it for shad.

[Scott V]

I got 14 today using a bloody maria! Type 2 line. Big big BIG fish coming through. Had a couple that pushed the 4.5 to 5 pound range.

[Jeff C.]

Good work! The Bloody Maria is a shad slayer. Did some recon further up river. Ended up with 3.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I heard from a biologist that our ocean food conditions are still very good with strong upwelling of food being brought to our coast by the ocean currents.

Looks like another good Shad season....

[Jeff C.]

9 this evening. Lost 4-5 bringing them in. Fished higher up to avoid the ever increasing pressure. Type 6 and Bloody Maria and Johnny Winter when the light got low.

[Jeff C.]

Brutal evening with the gusty North wind. Loss one and landed one. Saw only one other fish landed by a guy in a boat.

[Jed Peters]

Brutal evening with the gusty North wind. Loss one and landed one. Saw only one other fish landed by a guy in a boat.

Blanked tonight too in 2 different runs. First blank for shad in 2 years. Ching, that guy in the boat tonight has a theory. I agree with him.

[Jeff C.]

Zero for me too this evening along with everyone fishing where I was at. I suspect that they moved up river.

[Scott V]

I got one to hand and missed about 5 short bites. Gonna take Jeff's thinking and move further up stream.

[wishnbfishn]

I did very well above Sunrise yesterday evening. The have indeed moved up.

Nothing at Howe this morning, but I could have been between schools.

Wishn

[Jeff C.]

Did some recon on the upper after work. The 1000 cfs flow has resulted in a lot of hot spots to be unfishable. No flow=frog water!

[kabah088]

I was scouting the boat-man's bar area this evening. low flow yet clear. One guy hooked up on a half pounder. lots of fry in the water jumping for bugs. No shad for me.

[DAVID95670]

Fished all of upper sunrise three others fishing no shad tobe had

[DAVID95670]

Fished lower sunrise all the way to San Juan rapids.....no shad to be had ......water so low I could cross almost anywhere I wanted ....these runs are above my nipples in the winter steelheading .....

[Jeff C.]

14 this morning. They were caught all over the place and not in one drift. I think they are just moving up and not holding.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

http://www.kiene.com/portfolio-view/american-river-2/

Flow is low.............................1,000 cfs............................ so they must be very spooky.

I guess I would looking from River Park/Paradise Beach upstream to Gristmill.

Maybe use longer leaders, smaller flies and fish AM and PM in lower light levels?

[winxp_man]

Yesterday Fished the Watt bridge and above to the spill pipe and nothing. Not top water action either in to the evening. Spoke with underwater treasure hunters and they said they have seen a few fish but they do not seem to hold. Today I was up at sailors bar. Saw one really nice big striper messing around with the sucker fish (there were a crap load of them) but no sign of shad. went down to Mar's bucket and nothing. Then dropped down at upper sunrise nothing there either. Next was Sunrise then Lower Sunrise and still nothing. then went back down to Watt bridge and fished that section all the way down and hooked one fish.

I think being the water is really low and clear with a million people on rafts and splashing around in the river at every section of it is making the fishing super hard. I'm thinking like Bill said the Shad must be spooked. Every place I dropped into had people doing something right where the fish might be hanging. They do not seem to be holding.

6lbs floro leader and bloody maria with a type 8 sink tip.

[Jeff C.]

Nine this afternoon. Type 8 tip and Bloody Maria. Even caught one on a Johnny Winter!

[OceanSunfish]

Nine this afternoon. Type 8 tip and Bloody Maria. Even caught one on a Johnny Winter!

Way to scratch them out...... it's tough, but it is technically early.... however, the conditions everywhere else says it early July! And, fish don't look at calendars as we all know.....

Approximately 2.400 going into Folsom, but half that going out...... How about a pass thru for the next few weeks!

[winxp_man]

What I wonder is if the water temps go up very fast if the Shad will spawn and then head out? Like you said OceanSunfish they are not running on a calender. When I was out this past Saturday it was pretty warm I did not have a thermometer to test the water temps.

[Randy Lee]

Apparently shad don't seem to have a home river, so they could be running straight up the Sac and the Feather. Does anybody have any reports on Rd. 48? That may be a clue as to where the #'s are headed. Sadly it can't always be great like last season, but at least there is fish a few fish to throw a fly at.

[Jeff C.]

According to Moyle they start to spawn when the water temps reach 62 degrees. The American is currently 60 degrees. I think they are just slowing trickling in small pods and meandering up river. Yesterday I caught a bunch right off the bat and then 1-2 an hour for the next 3 hours. They were not in one travel lane so they were caught all over the place.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

This is a really different year for us with low water (1,000 cfs) instead of high water (5,000 cfs) for Shad.

In high water they come right in the river and go way upstream.

In low water they trickle in and stage lower in the river for a while.

.

[winxp_man]

According to Moyle they start to spawn when the water temps reach 62 degrees. The American is currently 60 degrees. I think they are just slowing trickling in small pods and meandering up river. Yesterday I caught a bunch right off the bat and then 1-2 an hour for the next 3 hours. They were not in one travel lane so they were caught all over the place.


So if they spawn at 62* then what happens if they do not go up all the way? Do they just spawn in the lower end of the river? They have to be staging somewhere......

[Jeff C.]

I think it's just a question of water temp and the right current since they are free spawners. Maybe Alosa can shed some light on this.

[Jeff C.]

One this evening. Left early just before gully washer started to dump.

[winxp_man]

One this evening. Left early just before gully washer started to dump.


I actually caught the whole thing almost. WOW some dumping of water from the clouds.

[Alosa]

I think it's just a question of water temp and the right current since they are free spawners. Maybe Alosa can shed some light on this.

You are correct. They will just delay spawning until conditions are more favorable/suitable for spawning and larval survival. They are pretty flexible (i.e., plastic life history) and aren't hard-wired to spawn on a certain date or a certain location like a particular redd.

[FlyBum]

Hi to everyone who got rained out that I saw in the parking lot at Paradise Beach.

Gully washer for sure. I didn't even get a change to get out there, before I was soaked from head to toe while setting up my rod in the back of my Forester. I'm on Vacation untill the 13th...hopefully tomorrow morning will be better.

[winxp_man]

I would be guilty of that :D I actually had water even in my waders. Its how bad it started to pour down. My long sleeve shirt actually looked like it was dipped in a bucket and pulled out. Either way at least I got to cast some line before having to leave. I was going to bring my Redington Sonic Pro jacket but didn't because I thought it might not rain as bad as it did.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I guess we needed that water.....not sure if we got any snow?

[winxp_man]

I guess we needed that water.....not sure if we got any snow?

I don't see any snow in the Sierras....

Temps are to high for it to snow. It would be nice though. Well at least this brings some water into the lakes.

[Scott V]

I guess we needed that water.....not sure if we got any snow?

Yep they got snow!!!

[inclinejj]

Yep they got snow!!!

http://opensnow.com/js/upload/Tahoe/2013/03/sierra-snow.png

[Jeff C.]

Very slow this evening. Only got 2. Saw one other caught between 8 other anglers. Time to do some recon!

[Jeff F]

Dude, you need to just come to terms with the fact that you're not going to break your shad record this year. So......take a deep breath, put away your switch rod, start tying trout flies, and let's go trout fishing! :D

[Jeff C.]

Fisher, sorry but I've got shad fever bad! Did some recon. Picked up 3. Cameron Beck (American River Charters) saw a big pod and got into them before they moved.

[Jeff C.]

Three this evening. Scandi line with 15 ft 7 ips poly leader. Fished a couple of spots. One that is normally hot was like a lake! More recon required!

[Brett R.]

Went out Wednesday to a spot and picked up a few to hand. Funny thing, there were spin fishers on the shoreline catching several. We got lots of hits besides but no others hooked. Also funny that we were getting action with intermediate, #3, #4, and #6 sink tips nearly equally.

[Jeff C.]

Checked out a new area this evening. Got 5. Lots of people fishing and I didn't see anyone catching any. Type 3 and Type 8 sink tip with a Bloody Maria!

[Frank Roepke]

Took the Jet Sled out tonight, launched at Howe and went up river quite a ways. We didn’t see much action under water till we hit a nice section Mid River. Huge pod of shad in about 4’ to 6’ of clear water, they were everywhere. We went up higher to do some more scouting but didn’t as many as the first group so turned around and went back down to the hole and anchored up. Brought 4 to the boat right away with several grabs. I was using floating line with a few split shot to get the fly down. The fly of choice was a Pink, Champaign, with flash. I didn’t have much luck with the Maria. Kenny and I will hit it 6:00am tomorrow for some more action.

Frank

[Jeff C.]

10 during the day. One was a big hen pushing 5 lbs. Type 8 sink tip and Bloody Maria! Going back out this evening.

[Jeff C.]

4 this evening. Same setup. Lost 2 and had a lot of grabs that didn't stick!

[Frank Roepke]

Kenny and I launched at Howe this morning and headed up river. We didn't see too many fish as last night so we headed up to Riviera Park area. There were a few other guys in boats striper fishing and spotted some Stripers going at it on top so we switched gears and tried to stick some, no luck. Then we headed back down to our spot and the shad were stacked up. Ton’s of them! The worst part was we couldn’t get them to take the flies. I switched colors hopping that would help, also tried some nymph droppers but nothing. You could see and feel the flies bumping off the fish, it was frustrating. It was about 9:00ish and called it a morning.

[Jeff C.]

Fished this afternoon and got 11. Size 8 and Size 10 BM with a Type 8 sink tip. Frank's right, there are some big pods but they have lockjaw. In moving water, they seem more aggressive to a swung fly. Too bad there aren't a lot of spots with good current.

[Jeff C.]

17 this evening. Same setup. Found a crack in my 6wt TCX. Time to send it in before it snaps!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

7014

Spey expert Doug Duncan has been cachting Shad up near the Sunrise area with a floating line, and long leader in the day time?

Well there goes my early and late theory....

[Jeff C.]

I know where Doug fishes and he's one of the few that can cast out to where the shad are stacked up.

[Jeff C.]

4 this evening. Checked out an old trustworthy spot. The flow was way too low. It was like a lake!

[Jeff C.]

4 again tonite! Pretty slow! Checked out another area and had one on for a few seconds. Moved further upriver and caught the four. One was a 4 lb hen and it put up a good fight on my 5 wt. TCX. Saw Scotty V. in his kayak. Told him I would have to kill him since he saw me in my bucket!

[winxp_man]

Got 8 in the nice little bucket. T-11 though and the badder santa was what worked. I tried the bloody maria and nothing. I should have switched to the T-11 even earlier maybe the bloody maria would have worked.

[Jed Peters]

Had to resort to some sneaky tactics to get the 15-20 we got tonight.

They're already on the spawn big time.

Think the weather change and temp drop put em off the bite. They sure weren't grabby...

[SHigSpeed]

Had to resort to some sneaky tactics to get the 15-20 we got tonight.

They're already on the spawn big time.

Think the weather change and temp drop put em off the bite. They sure weren't grabby...
Bobbers? Spinning gear? Pyrotechnics?

_SHig

[Jed Peters]

Bobbers? Spinning gear? Pyrotechnics?

_SHig

jedi mind tricks.....but don't worry, the new techniques we applied are "Sensei's secrets", but know that they don't include anything other than "purist" angling pursuits.....

[Scott V]

Got 6 last night from the kayak. $200 gets you Jeff's new secret spot location, cash only!!

[SHigSpeed]

Got 6 last night from the kayak. $200 gets you Jeff's new secret spot location, cash only!!

I may have to stalk the Yaris with my pram topped Infiniti!

_SHig

[Jeff C.]

Tried some different spots this evening. Got skunked! Lots of anglers everywhere. Didn't see see one shad caught.

[Frank Roepke]

Kenny and I got on the river at 4:00pm yesterday and motored to our spot. Stuck a dozen right out of the gate and hooked many more. Then Kenny’s buddies came down the river to join us and with it came ton’s more shad. The problem was the fish kept swimming past our hole and went to the run below us where it’s too deep for our setup.
We ended up motoring around looking for more Shads but no luck. We stuck a few more here and there but that was it for the evening.

[Frank Roepke]

BTW, the BM hooked them all!

[Jeff C.]

No skunk this evening. Got 3 and had a bunch of grabs. Not red hot and a ton of people fishing. Pasted a parking lot that had 9 cars when I've been seeing only 1 or 2. There are some big pods in slow water but they have lock jaw. We need more water bad!

[Jeff C.]

6 this afternoon. Fished with Aron aka winxp man and his brother. He schooled me! He has become quite accomplished with a switch rod just taking it up this Winter.

[Frank Alessio]

6 this afternoon. Fished with Aron aka winxp man and his brother. He schooled me! He has become quite accomplished with a switch rod just taking it up this Winter.

You can say that again and his Brother does quite well considering he has had a fly rod in his hands for less than a week....

[Jeff C.]

8 this afternoon. They have been liking the Johnny Winter over the Bloody Maria the past couple of days!

[Jeff C.]

Brutally slow! Only 3 this evening. Lots of people fishing, not much catching!

[Randy Lee]

Jeff,
Have you reached 100 yet? The #'s seem dismall at best.
Randy

[Jeff C.]

Pushing 200. They may be gone before June unless we get for water released.

[Fly Right]

Pushing 200. They may be gone before June unless we get for water released.

Last season spoiled me..........
I am a 1.5+ hour drive from the A unless there is traffic. I don't mind driving a little further to get into a good shad bite. Any of you have some intel on the Sac, Feather or Yuba? I heard a rumor that shad numbers were good around Princeton and Hamilton City but can't confirm that.

Thanks

[Jeff C.]

Slow again this evening and lots of pressure. Only 2 to hand! An older gentleman did ok indicator fishing with a prince/pup rig.

[Scott V]

Got 7 sitting in my kayak in the middle of the river. Not much around me being caught, a couple guys just above me got into a few.

[amoeba]

Last season spoiled me..........
I am a 1.5+ hour drive from the A unless there is traffic. I don't mind driving a little further to get into a good shad bite. Any of you have some intel on the Sac, Feather or Yuba? I heard a rumor that shad numbers were good around Princeton and Hamilton City but can't confirm that.

Thanks

I cannot confirm 2013 shad reports any of those places, and its alot closer drive for me. Very low flows on the A and the Yuba (which has a bar outside the mouth that at low flows, the shad will not go over). Notwithstanding some daily reports, there are not that many fish and the least fisherman interest I have seen in decade(s). I will be in Colusa tomorrow and will ask around there.

[OceanSunfish]

Last season spoiled me..........
I am a 1.5+ hour drive from the A unless there is traffic. I don't mind driving a little further to get into a good shad bite. Any of you have some intel on the Sac, Feather or Yuba? I heard a rumor that shad numbers were good around Princeton and Hamilton City but can't confirm that.

Thanks

Shad are not bound to a particular river to spawn like salmon, so consider them opportunist spawners. If some rivers are low and uncomfortable for them to be in right now....... Be logical. The shad have to be where there is water! Keep it simple, and just go shad fishing.... especially if you have the time and freedom to go! Leave the speculating to those of us with a regular schedule of family responsibilities..... :)

[Jeff C.]

Better tonight. Got 9! Have to leave early because I broke my running line. Good thing I didn't loose my Skagit head.

[winxp_man]

Better tonight. Got 9! Have to leave early because I broke my running line. Good thing I didn't loose my Skagit head.

Nice Jeff cant beat a decent evening of shad!

[OceanSunfish]

Better tonight. Got 9! Have to leave early because I broke my running line. Good thing I didn't loose my Skagit head.

What? No backup with you on the water? Now you're starting to sound like someone taking this shad fishing for granted.... ;)

[Randy Lee]

Sadly, I must confess I am guilty of the above accusation. The last few years we have been very blessed. This year is on the lean side.They are there but not on the end of your line every cast. Lots of work ,little reward. Is it worth going after them? Hell ya! Better than sitting at home. It will make me appreciate the good years of the past and of the future.So until the run calls it quits, might as well keep trying.

[Jeff C.]

When I'm wading I just bring I rod since I tend to move around until I find them. When I fish from a boat I take 4 rods rigged up so I don't have to change tips/heads to get down to the right depth. I guess I should get a caddy to follow me when I wading. Maybe give me suggestions on what rod or fly to use.

[Smitty Fish]

Got 5 yesterday . White seems to be color of choice.

[Jeff C.]

Johnny Winter?

[Smitty Fish]

White floss, red wire, tungsten bead, crystal flash for the tail. Not sure what a Johny winter looks like. I guess the one I'm using is called the "Egner winter" lol.

[Bigskyman]

Shad novice here....Can you give me any ideas on what part of the river I would start ....would like to try my hand this weekend sometime...

If there is another thread that can give me the prarticulars on rod weight, line, etc. would appreciate that also....

[Jeff C.]

Try looking at the thread "Setup recommendations for shad" on the American Shad page. Also the article "American River" under Articles on the Home Page for access points and recommendations for shad fishing. When all else fails go into or call the shop. They will set you up.

[DAVID95670]

Johnny Winter?


not sure either but I tie it with the crystal UV dubbing and crystal flash tail and bead ....rib with gold wire

[Mark Kranhold]

Dave Howard's favorite... The Wet Pinky! Can't go wrong with this fly.

[Jeff C.]

Wish I could have met Dave Howard. Heard a lot of stories about the legend!

[k.hanley]

Yup...Mark I'm with you. Fished the Yuba yesterday with Al Smatsky. We had a strong day with Dave's classic pattern. I think it's still my favorite, although I do like Jeff's B-Maria. I sure do miss Dave's goofy times chasing shad. Big grins.
Cheers, Ken

[Jeff C.]

8 this evening. Lots of pressure. Saw only 4 other fish caught. Two were nice half pounders!

[Jeff C.]

Took the day off from work. Fished a couple spots on the upper river (somewhere above El Manto). Caught 35 using Bloody Marias and Johnny Winters. One was a 5 lb hen. Finally a good day!

[KillBill]

Jeff if I didn't mess it up I sent you a pm.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Dave Howard was a special guy and a great fly fisher.

He had the gift.............

[winxp_man]

Took the day off from work. Fished a couple spots on the upper river (somewhere above El Manto). Caught 35 using Bloody Marias and Johnny Winters. One was a 5 lb hen. Finally a good day!

Well Jeff you did it again. You beat my
Best this year by 5 fish :D

I finished with 9 fish today did a super amount of walking and trying different places! It what it seems to take this year.

[Jeff C.]

Fished all afternoon. Got 32 mostly on the Maria!

[Jeff C.]

Winxp Man slayed 'em this evening! 24 after 7 pm!

[winxp_man]

Good day today 36 total..... :) most in the evening. Lots of boats coming down from up river...

[Jeff C.]

Slower today compared to the last 2. Only 16 caught evenly between the Maria and Johnny.

[Jeff C.]

33 today caught evenly between the Maria and Johnny.

[Jeff C.]

Had to work late so fished only a couple of hours this evening. Got 13 mostly on the Maria!

[Charlie Gonzales]

still doin well in the morning casting to rising fish on floating lines. Then switching over to the deep lines after they stop rising. Finding some half pounders still also..

[Randy Lee]

Jeff,
Knowing you have a job and put up the #'s of shad you do is most impressive. Great effort!
R

[Jeff C.]

Lots of pressure and very slow. Ended up with 8 mostly on the Maria.

[Scott V]

Got my first skunk last night. That is what I get for fishing where I didn't think there were fish. Next time I will listen to my instinct.

[Jeff C.]

Fished another spot. Slow again! Landed 6 and LDRed 3. Didn't see any other caught between the 8 other guys fishing the same area.

[Jeff C.]

19 this evening. Maria and Johnny! I wonder how the bump in flow tomorrow will affect the bite. I guess we'll see!

[winxp_man]

Time to look for more spots now. The water increase got the shad on the quiet side for a couple of days I guess. Yesterday morning I managed to get 14. I did not try the evening because it gets a little crowded on the river in the evening.

[Jeff C.]

Did recon today and covered a lot of water. The increase in flow overnight caused them to shift around. Cameron Beck (American River Charters) told me he saw 2 huge balls of shad in some slow water with lockjaw. I only had 2 by 3 pm. Went back to where I started where I got zip fishing it for an hour this morning and got 11 in a couple of hours. I guess the moved back.

[Jimmie]

Jeff,

I have seen you often refer to the Johnny Winter shad fly. I don't have a clue what that looks like. If you are willing will you share the pattern recipe? Thanks

[Jeff C.]

Jimmie, I'll pm you tomorrow.

[Jeff C.]

19 this afternoon in the peak of the heat. Got them mostly on the Maria.

[Buddy]

RE: CCW permits. None are required when fishing in CA. Hard to believe, but you are allowed to carry if you're fishing in a river. At least that was the case as of last year.

[Mark Kranhold]

If you hold a fishing license and are fishing you can pack...but not concealed. As for the American river parkway, that would be a no no! You can pack a speargun tho!

[Jeff C.]

Nice one Mark! Got 10 this evening on the Maria. Aron got 6-7 before I left. From everything I heard it was slow for everyone else especially in the moring. There were lots of shad seen but they have lockjaw.

[Scott V]

You can pack a speargun tho! No you can't, that is a big no no on the American despite them allowing spearfishing for stripers. Check the regs, no type of firearm or other device that can harm an animal is allowed on the river parkway.

[Wing Blue]

AR flows are scheduled to be increased Thursday to 2000 CFS.

[Mark Kranhold]

Scott, that was a joke... With all the spear talk going on! But it is sad to see this happening!

[Jeff C.]

Pretty slow! 9 this evening. All on the Maria except the last one on the Johnny.

[Jeff C.]

Brutally slow this evening. Only caught 3! One each on a Maria, a Johnny and a gold beaded fly I call the Goldfinger.

[Mark Kranhold]

Jeff, sounds like Dr. Evil sent the fish to the schmelting pot:eek:

[winxp_man]

I been catching spawned out hens here and there. Yesterday I caught a nice 5lbs hen that was spawned out. Today the same. So they might even be on the move. During the over cast days I think it was like 4 days all have been 30+ fish days. My best was 32 started about 5:00 pm until about 8:30-8:45.

Today I started about 12:00 pm got 5 from 12:00 till about 1-1:30. Then another 5 after 4:30 till about 7:00pm when it went completely dead.

[winxp_man]

Only got 5 tonight.... Broke the #6 TCX Switch 1st section with number 5 fish.........

[Jeff C.]

Tried a couple of spots a little lower. Landed 3 and LDRed 2. Floating with Bruce tomorrow!

[Jeff C.]

Bruce and I got 16 on a float today. We didn't see any pods and fished blind and deep using Marias.

[winxp_man]

Started late today but got 8 and quite a few LDR's a and grabs.

[Jeff C.]

11 today. 10 in the first 2 hours then it went dead! Hot as hell. The breeze feels like a blow torch!

[Jeff C.]

11 yesterday wet wading while it was HOT. 10 to the boat today on a float with Bruce. We saw one pod but they has lockjaw!

[Jeff C.]

11 shad this evening. The usual flies!

[Jeff C.]

12 this evening. All in the Maria! Signs are indicating that the run is almost over. I'm trying to get it while I can.

[Fish Head]

Signs are indicating that the run is almost over.

Agreed! Floated Sailor bar to Ross this Past Sunday and saw VERY FEW shad. A big transition from a few weeks ago. I think we may have seen you wading the bank?

[Jeff C.]

I was floating SB to SR with Bruce in his Clacka on Sunday. No fish seen except for one pod that had lockjaw.

[Jeff C.]

19 this evening. All on the Maria! Andy was with a client and they slayed 'em in his boat.

[Jeff C.]

Triple 10s. Bruce got 10 during the day and Aron an I got 10 each this evening.

[Jeff C.]

Very slow tonite. Only 2 shad! The flows dropped overnight and I hope that's the reason. Floating with Bruce tomorrow.

[winxp_man]

They are leaving Jeff................. :D







Hope not I still want to hook a few.

[Blueracer]

Aron, what's to smile about? I get it...you're trying to be funny and scare him. I bet jeff catches shad for at least 10 more days.

[Jeff C.]

10+ in Bruce's boat today. It's not over until it's over!

[Jeff C.]

13 between Bruce and I in his boat. No shad to be found in the usual spots. We got all of our fish in a place we don't normally fish. If you are still trying for them think upper river!

[winxp_man]

The water changing is messing around with the fish. Making them move quite a bit....

[Jeff C.]

Only 5 this evening. There was a big pod where I started fishing but they moved up to a spot where I couldn't get a swing. I fear the end is near!

[Jeff C.]

Skunked this evening. Going to try for a few more evenings!

[Jeff C.]

Skunked again tonight. Countdown to the end!

[Scott V]

Strike 2, looks like the fat lady may have sang for you.

[wishnbfishn]

Uh oh.... was planning on going out tomorrow. Don't tell my wife they might be done.

Wishn

[winxp_man]

Uh oh.... was planning on going out tomorrow. Don't tell my wife they might be done.

Wishn

You might get into some fish with a boat down in the lower American river section.

[winxp_man]

Aron, what's to smile about? I get it...you're trying to be funny and scare him. I bet jeff catches shad for at least 10 more days.


Are you really sure about this? Not a wizard but its almost like I predicted the future here and its in writing.

[Jeff C.]

Just when I was about to call it over I got 6 this evening. LDRed 2 and missed a bunch of grabs. Sorry Aron!

[winxp_man]

HAHAHA Nice Jeff..........

My statement was a joke and I don't quite understand (if he is kidding or serious) Blueracers.........


But anyways Nice on the fishing tonight! I wonder if I will get my 6wt back soon maybe get a couple of fish before they really are gone. :)

[Jeff C.]

Here's a summary of this years' run for me:

Caught my first shad 4/21
Fished 59 out of the last 60 days (mostly evenings)
Caught over 500 shad averaging 9-10 per day (mostly on the Maria)
The low water and warm temps really messed the run up this year compared to last years' run (over 1800 and 25 per day)

Will still try to get out a few times in the next week but I'm heading to the Sierras!

[Blueracer]

Congrats Jeff. Maybe next will be like last year! : D

Good like in the Sierras!

[Blueracer]

Oh and aron all I meant dude was why smile about the shad leaving? because you put a smile face up. Nevermind though.

[Randy Lee]

Jeff,
59 out of 60 days! What happened on that one day? I'm a little disappointed. You slacker. All kidding aside, this is still a stellar season in anybody's book. Congrats!
Randy

[Frank Alessio]

Had a 30 fish day on a two handed rod... Wow... Just Kidding.....

[Jeff C.]

Frank, You have been fly fishing so long that you must have fished for shad when 100 fish days were the norm. My best was a 47 shad evening last year. BTW, I'm going through withdrawals!

[winxp_man]

This is getting bad. Getting info from friends that say they are getting 2,4,8 trout a day and calling it good (I know its good...) But the shad really can ruin a person especially how I was getting quite a few in the riffles yes riffles. Jeff this withdrawal stuff sucks!!! :|

My season was a tad bit over 300. Had an average of 13.5 fish a day. I guess you cant complain being what the state did with the water flows. I wish and hope we get our water next year! The best days were during the 4-5 days of overcast. I actually had 30 fish days during all of the overcast time. It sure was a think outside of the box year for shad!

[Frank Alessio]

Not quite Jeff...I did have 98 Trout in three evenings on the Upper Sac a few years ago...Using a two fly set up I actually caught two at a time a couple of times....Jeff you and Aron were a couple of Fishing machines this year...I had fun just watching you two catch fish...

[winxp_man]

Not quite Jeff...I did have 98 Trout in three evenings on the Upper Sac a few years ago...Using a two fly set up I actually caught two at a time a couple of times....Jeff you and Aron were a couple of Fishing machines this year...I had fun just watching you two catch fish...


Its not like you didnt catch fish Frank :) I think we all just had a good time in the end.................

[winxp_man]

This is how this season of shad was upside down :D

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg48/winxp_man/Shad1_zps69e18f28.jpg (http://s245.photobucket.com/user/winxp_man/media/Shad1_zps69e18f28.jpg.html)