Early Shad

[Jeff C.]

I know it's still early but Cameron Beck American River Charters texted me a picture of a fresh 2 lb shad his friend caught on the Delta yesterday on a striper fly. I can't wait since the Winter steelhead run has been slow!

[Mark Kranhold]

Jeff, I bet that's making you twitch! Restless nights ahead :eek:

[Jeff C.]

Yep, you know it Mark!

[Scott V]

Hopefully we will get a descent run this year, but with little to no water in Folsom I doubt it. Plus when they dump the lake it is not coming down stream, it is going through that new pipe they put in a few years ago, and who knows where that is going.

[Alosa]

How interesting. There was some evidence (early 1900s I think) that not all shad head out to sea (the usual strategy), but that some could hang around in the Delta year round. I think that's what's been reported here. A rare find for this time of year for sure.

[Scott V]

Jeff, time to make a 2/0 sized Bloody Maria? You could call it a Bloody Godzilla.

[Bryan Morgan]

Shad head to ocean, but don't always come up the same river they were born in. Pray for some decent flows to bring them up the river we love. They will take the path of least possible resistance.

[Hatch]

In November 2013 I caught a shad near Tracy Oasis Marina on a clouser while targeting stripers. It was a crazy day as I caught a Striper, LMB and a jack King Salmon all within a 100 yards. Crazy Delta Grand Slam. I doubt I will do it again.
HATCH

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I think that my old friend Henry Starr said that he usually got his first Shad on the American River around mid-April?

[Andrew Guibord]

It's not making him want to twich, it is making him want to switch.......two hand baby.

[Mr.Matt]

Been getting into them up on the Sac.
Should be in the lower AR.

10656

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Where Matt?

We use to get them at the "Minnow Hole" in south Sacramento when I was a kid.

[Mr.Matt]

Well past the Feather.