Jeff’s 2019 AR Shad Reports

[Jeff C.]

Ok, get ready folks! Shad are being caught on the Sac down by Freeport so they are right on schedule. They should be in the American in 2-3 weeks. Did a recon down by Paradise today but the Sac backed it up so it looked like a lake. Flows stated around Watt and Gristmill looked fishable. Let the games begin!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I saw Jeff today at the shop Expo.

He is very tan (snow boarding?) and super happy looking now that he is retired.

I will have to get him to help my grandson catch his first Shad this summer.

[Jeff C.]

I’ll be glad to help Bill and it was great to see you and Marilyn today at the Expo!

[FattMerro]

Can't wait! My favorite time of year on the AR. I'll be out there swinging for them as much as possible starting this weekend.

Looking forward to your reports Jeff!

[Jeff C.]

Been trying on the American, mid and upper river, this past week but didn’t hook any. There are more anglers trying for Shad so everyone is chomping at the bit. I think they should start showing up in the lower river next week.

[Jeff C.]

Still no shad on the American. I’ve been trying every day and run into a lot of other angers who are on the hunt also. I didn’t see it but I heard that this past Saturday morning there was a big line of anglers up in the upper river like it was the peak of the run. They weren’t there on Sunday!

[Scott V]

Still no shad on the American. I’ve been trying every day and run into a lot of other angers who are on the hunt also. I didn’t see it but I hear that this past Saturday morning there was a big line of anglers up in the upper river like it was the peak of the run. They weren’t there on Sunday!

I get my hitch put on my car this Friday, so I will be out there after work starting next week in my little drift boat.

[Jeff C.]

Still no shad for me but I was fishing down lower and Garret Smith floated by and told be he saw a few small males and that a guy caught a few last night. Looks like they are starting to trickle in! I would try as low as possible since they are not up high!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Yahoo..............

[Jeff C.]

Saw a sea lion at Gristmill this morning heading up river following the shad or headed to Goethe to feast on the hundreds of suckers hanging on the South side above the bridge!

[Jeff C.]

Two sea lions were going to town at Sailor Bar according to Victor who I ran into midday. Don’t know if they followed shad upriver but from my own personal experience there aren’t many shad in the American yet!

[hwchubb]

Taking my son from the OV over to Folsom for a couple of lacrosse games, CLOUDS of cottonwood fuzz flying around. If Jeff hasn’t hung one there may not be many, but there has to be at least one shad all the way upriver! My first in the upper river last year was May 15, so it’s time.

[Jeff C.]

Caught my first shad on the American 5/5 last year. They will be here soon and I suspect a few have made it to the upper river based on the sea lion activity.

[cmcdhuibh]

snakes are out!!!

[Jeff C.]

I know! I ran one last week that was across the trail while I was walking from the river. Good thing I saw it because it didn’t rattle. Still no shad for me and I saw a lot of anglers trying on a float today.

[Pvillarr]

Caught my first shad on the American 5/5 last year. They will be here soon and I suspect a few have made it to the upper river based on the sea lion activity.

Can't wait!

[Jeff C.]

Caught 5 small males this morning mid-river before being surrounded by bobber guys. Fished using Type 6 sink tip and a Bloody Maria with a Firecracker dropper. All were caught on the dropper. See you in 3 months Honey!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Yahoo....

Flow is at 9.000 cfs which is a little high but will suck in lots of fish.

For those who can go daily for the next 3 months I would try to get some time set aside in June.


Captain Andy Guibord will be guiding for Shad, Stripers and Half-pounder Steelhead now.

https://andyguibord.wordpress.com/

[Luckee]

Hooray and nicely done Mr. C! A shad is a shad; and that is a great sign.

It often does seem like lots of males are around in the early window . . . but there's gotta be a hen down there somewhere, or the boys would be somewhere else. :)

[Pvillarr]

Caught 5 small males this morning mid-river before being surrounded by bobber guys. Fished using Type 6 sink tip and a Bloody Maria with a Firecracker dropper. All were caught on the dropper. See you in 3 months Honey!

Good to hear. See you on the water soon Jeff.

[BS]

Caught 5 small males this morning mid-river before being surrounded by bobber guys. Fished using Type 6 sink tip and a Bloody Maria with a Firecracker dropper. All were caught on the dropper. See you in 3 months Honey!

Way to go Jeff !!!!! :cool::cool::cool:

Glad you got the ball rollin' again.

Looking forward to reading your reports and reminiscing of days past @ road 48 on the Sac. !!! :):):)


Bob

[Randy Lee]

And their Off! Tally Hooooo!

[Keepemwet]

Caught 5 small males this morning mid-river before being surrounded by bobber guys. Fished using Type 6 sink tip and a Bloody Maria with a Firecracker dropper. All were caught on the dropper. See you in 3 months Honey!

The bobber guys took us over but good thing we had a few grabs before. Cheers to a fun Shad run, should be a great one.

-Mike

[FlyFishingNewb]

Middle of the river means it should be all over the river...........can't wait to try tomorrow.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

In the high Spring flow (9,000 cfs) they could be from Nimbus dam downstream to the mouth.

[FlyFishingNewb]

Left my waders in my other car or I would have tried today.

[Jeff C.]

Got into double digits this morning before the bobber guys showed up. When they did the bite went dead. I think the bobbers make too much noise (Aron calls them grenades). All were caught on the Firecracker except for one on the Maria. I was using a Type 3 sink tip because the Type 6 was hanging up on the bottom.

[STEELIES/26c3]

Got into double digits this morning before the bobber guys showed up. When they did the bite went dead. I think the bobbers make too much noise (Aron calls them grenades). All were caught on the Firecracker except for one on the Maria. I was using a Type 3 sink tip because the Type 6 was hanging up on the bottom.

GIMME A 'B'
GIMME AN 'O'
GIMME ANOTHER 'B'
GIMME ONE MORE 'B'
WOW! WHERE DID ALL THESE 'B's FLY IN FROM?
SHOO THAT MIDDLE 'B' AWAY! AND PUT THE FIRST LETTER OF MY NAME IN ITS PLACE!
NOW, GIMME AN 'E'
AND GIMME AN 'R'
AND LASTLY...
GIMME AN S
WHAT'S THAT SPELL?

BOMBERS!!!

AND YOU SEE... BOBBERS DO! BECOME BOMBERS!!

[STEELIES/26c3]

Got into double digits this morning before the bobber guys showed up. When they did the bite went dead. I think the bobbers make too much noise (Aron calls them grenades). All were caught on the Firecracker except for one on the Maria. I was using a Type 3 sink tip because the Type 6 was hanging up on the bottom.

Sounds like the action wasn't QUITE as explosive as it should have been... considering the; GRENADES, FIRECRACKERS, BOMBERS AND BLOODY MARIAS... Glad you got some JEFF :)

[TyV]

Got into double digits this morning before the bobber guys showed up. When they did the bite went dead. I think the bobbers make too much noise (Aron calls them grenades). All were caught on the Firecracker except for one on the Maria. I was using a Type 3 sink tip because the Type 6 was hanging up on the bottom.

Jeff, do you have a photo and recipe for the firecracker you would be willing to share? Size you have been tying and having success with as well? Thanks in advance for your time and consideration!

[Jeff C.]

TyV, PM me you’re email address and I’ll send you the recipe and a pic.

[Jeff C.]

I got 5 before being swarmed by bobber guys at 7 am. All were caught on the Firecracker. Once the bobber guys showed up the shad stopped biting and I didn't see any of them hook up. I think I'm done with that area!

[Jeff C.]

Here’s the recipe for the Firecracker;

Hook: TMC 2457 Size 10

Bead: 3.2 mm red metallic bead

Tail: 64 strands of UV minnow belly (4 strands folded over and cut 4 times)
2 strands of small pearl flashabou
Final length 3/8 in.

Body: Gold holographic tinsel

Rib: Red BR wire

Head: Red Danville Flymaster+ (tie partial up on the bead)

Coat body and thread head with Hard as Nails

[Pvillarr]

I got 5 before being swarmed by bobber guys at 7 am. All were caught on the Firecracker. Once the bobber guys showed up the shad stopped biting and I didn't see any of them hook up. I think I'm done with that area!

It is definitely interesting how the conventional gear guys haven’t been having much luck even that early in the morning. I remember at the tail end of the Shad season last year when we were fishing the upper stretches, the bobbers didn’t seem to mind the fish that much. Maybe the Shad are spookier early in the season.

[Jeff C.]

There weren’t as many shad in the hole that I’ve been fishing this morning and the bobbers make too much noise when they splash down and when they are reeled in.

[Jeff C.]

Fished a couple of mid river spots and one upper river spot and only had one LDR in a Maria down lower. Saw Garret Smith who was floating and he got a couple mid river. I’d fish lower in the river right now!

[winxp_man]

It is definitely interesting how the conventional gear guys haven’t been having much luck even that early in the morning. I remember at the tail end of the Shad season last year when we were fishing the upper stretches, the bobbers didn’t seem to mind the fish that much. Maybe the Shad are spookier early in the season.

The issue is the damn bobbers have a 1-2oz sinker built in. And they make crazy noise in the water. It does not take much at all to scare shad away! Shadows, noise, and so on. What they fish do is move up or further down. Sucks and it’s life. I told a few of these bright people what happens and they think it’s a joke. You can fish and catch them with a drift technique. Light gear is needed. I mean using conventional gear. And not create crazy grenade splashes! It’s why I started a couple years back calling them grenade launchers hahaha!

But when they do line in up in a line the fish will move that’s a given.

[Jeff C.]

Fished 4 mid river spots yesterday and didn’t get a bump. Saw lots of anglers out trying but not much catching. Ran into Don Morris (the UPS Guy) in his canoe and he told me he saw some small pods as he was paddling upriver. Garret Smith saw a couple of bigger schools on a float yesterday. Still nothing in the upper river and no one was fishing except for me. You don’t know if you don’t go!

[Jeff C.]

Went on a float today Earle and we caught a couple of halfpounders swinging. No shad caught be we did see saw a pod of small males moving up.

[EricO]

Went on a float today Earle and we caught a couple of halfpounders swinging. No shad caught be we did see saw a pod of small males moving up.

How big were the half pounders Jeff? Good battles?

Eric

[ErikB]

Ran around yesterday on the lower river and got 15. Flows are perfect right now. They are not holding in every spot you may have caught them in the past. Need to move around until you find them. As soon at the sun dipped behind the trees the bite shut off.

Erik B

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

When the water is colder than a fish likes to be in the bite is better mid-day as the sun warms the water.

Usually, fishing early and late in the day is not very good if the water is too cold.

In June as the water flow comes down and the warms up, early and late can be very good.

[Jeff C.]

Edawg, One 19 inches wild and another 13 inch Hatchery fish that made my Hardy quack like a duck!

[Terry Thomas]

Or sing like an angel. ��

[EricO]

Edawg, One 19 inches wild and another 13 inch Hatchery fish that made my Hardy quack like a duck!

Ooooh, a wild one...nice Jeff! Seems you always get a handful of half pounders during your shad
outings. Who would think they'd hit a shad fly. Nice job Jeff.

Eric

[Jeff C.]

No updates for the past couple of days because I’ve been too busy fishing. Yesterday Andy and I went up the Yuba to do some scouting in his jet Lowe. I broke a rod and Andy lost a IShort head but we got a dozen shad and found some great runs. Today I did a long float with Mike Folden and we found a bunch of shad in this one mid river run. Mikey Koh was hammering them with clients using a Ronald McDonald. Andy came down after we floated down river and got about 40. Andy is the man if you want to catch some shad on the fly.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Captain Andy Guibord will be guiding Shad and Stripers now so if you really want to catch something give Andy a call.

June is usually the top month for Shad so get a day with Andy on the calendar.

https://andyguibord.wordpress.com/guiding-instruction/

[Jeff C.]

Fished a couple of mid river spots today. Got blanked at the first one and found a bucket at the second and got into double digits with several medium sized hens. Type 8 sink tip and Bloody Maria with a Firecracker dropper. All except 3 were caught on the Firecracker!

[Jeff C.]

Got into double digits today with the same flies. I saw Andy in his boat with another guy and they were hooking shad.

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning before the fllow when up. Got into double digits within the first hour but as soon as the river started rising the bite turned off. Flow changes really affect shad and they will take a day or two to settle down. They might even vacate the area to find somewhere else that they like. Type 8 tips aren’t cutting it so I’m going to T-14.

[cmcdhuibh]

I'm not to up on this to well but isn't type 8 and T 14 about the same sink rate except one is tapered?

[Jeff C.]

Type 8 = T-11

[Jeff C.]

Fished early before the rain started. Got into double digits but a seal lion cruising up river caused the bite to slow for about an hour. Lots of anglers out and I was only the fly fisherman!

[Jeff C.]

Earle and I got over 40 to the boat and LDRed about half as many on a float today. I was using 30 feet of LC13 and Earle was using a 300 grain DC sink tip line. You have to get down deep!

[Jeff C.]

Did some scouting in the upper river with Andy in his jet Lowe this morning. We got a dozen or so shad and Andy got a double fishing a two fly rig. Shad are starting to show up but not in big numbers like mid river. Wading is very limited with the 10K cfs flow and you have to be careful. I took a dunk this afternoon when some submerged roots tripped me up. Good thing it wasn’t in deep fast moving water!

[Jeff C.]

Got into double digits and even 3 doubles (using a 2 fly rig) this morning. This all went south when a sea lion showed up and started raising havoc. The bite went dead for about 45 minutes after the sea lion left. Tried several upper river spots this afternoon but didn't get a bump.

[Jeff C.]

Went out early and got into double digits before it got crowded. Landed a big hen over 20” long and about 4 lbs on a Firecracker. She was thick. The bite was a little slower than yesterday. Tried a few spots up river and caught only one. There’s fish in the upper river but only small pods that are scattered all over the place.

[dave earl]

Hey Jeff
These shad posts are a big inspiration to me, thanks! And thanks to Bill for getting the forum back online.
I missed it when it was down.

[Jeff C.]

You’re welcome Dave. I was going through withdrawals when the Forum was down! I forgot to mention that I met a fly fisherman named Jerry while fishing yesterday morning. He had never caught a shad before so I gave him a couple of flies and some pointers.

[Jeff C.]

Fished the upper river and caught some shad during the day. Most were on the Firecracker but got a few on the Maria. Went out this evening for a couple of hours with Andy in his jet Lowe and we put over 20 to the boat. They all took the Firecracker except a couple on the Maria. The Wet Pinky worked for Andy when the sun got off the water.

[Jeff C.]

Had a pretty good day. Fished mid river until it got crowded so I fished the upper river in the afternoon. Then I went out with Andy in his Lowe this evening and we found a bunch of fish. The usual flies worked: Maria, Firecracker and Wet Pinky!

[TyV]

Hey Jeff, could you possibly share your Firecracker recipe? Show a picture or a link? Anything and everything appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Troutzilla]

TyV, Jeff posted the recipe in post #33 of this thread. You can see the Firecracker at the shop

[Jeff C.]

Had and epic day! Fished this morning and got into double digits in a couple of hours. Then I floated in the afternoon with Earle Sloan and we got triple digits to the boat. Hot flies were the Firecracker, Maria and Earle’s Ronald McDonald!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The river is high and cold......7,810 cfs and 54 degrees.

This is normally a formula for drowning so be very careful.

Have something on the bottom of your wading boots, felt, studs.

Have a belt around your waste on your waders.

Have a wading staff....

Don't get too deep.

[Jeff C.]

Great advice Bill! The guy that drowned last year at Sailor Bar Island wasn’t wearing a belt! My friend Danny (The Kid) saw him go in and called 911.

[Jeff C.]

Earle and I floated today and it was a lot slower in the usual spots. We found a spot where they were holding and got almost 50 to the boat. Same flies as yesterday: Firecracker, Maria and Ronald McDonald,

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

What size hook are you using?

In the past 50 years Shad flies have really gotten smaller.

Many years ago a Size 4 and 6 were popular sizes.

[TyV]

TyV, Jeff posted the recipe in post #33 of this thread. You can see the Firecracker at the shop

Thank you very much. I missed some posts in the middle I guess.

[winxp_man]

What size hook are you using?

In the past 50 years Shad flies have really gotten smaller.

Many years ago a Size 4 and 6 were popular sizes.

Jeff and I are running size 10 TMC 2457 hooks. Can’t go wrong with it.

[LE0]

Jeff C. I see you are using Hard as Nails to coat your new Firecracker Fly (I already bought all the fly material from Kiene's and can't wait to try them). I was wondering if you coat the Bloody Maria body with Hard as Nails too (I am currently just using head cement).

P.S. And thank you again for sharing your Bloody Maria all those years ago. It has been my go to fly for Shad on the American for 5+ years.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Jeff and I are running size 10 TMC 2457 hooks. Can’t go wrong with it.

Thanks Aron......

Did you know that the TMC 2457 is the best selling hook for Kiene's.

[Jeff C.]

The original recipe for the Bloody Maria calls for a top coat of Hard as Nails and you’re welcome!

[LE0]

The original recipe for the Bloody Maria calls for a top coat of Hard as Nails and you’re welcome!

Thanks for the quick response! Going to coat them all now.

[Jeff C.]

When scouting on the Yuba with Andy yesterday. We marked and fished some great runs and saw some bigs pods of shad. Fished this morning and evening and it was work but got into double digits. The usual flies (Maria, Firecracker and Ronald McDonald) worked with a Type 8 sink tip.

[Katz]

Jeff, do you track water temperature throughout your annual shad season? I assume this year is a bit colder on average. Does that seem to be having an effect on the run timing? Thanks. Katz

[Jeff C.]

I do track water temps, flow rate and river depth. Last year the flows were a lot lower (1800-2000 cfs) but the water was just about as cold (54 deg) and they showed up early May with big hens right off the bat. According to Peter Moyle they enter the river when the water temp is 57 degrees so go figure!

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning and it was pretty good. Caught shad on both the Maria and the Firecracker. Went back out in the evening and I was blown away by the number of boats concentrated in one area. Fishing was slower but still got into double digits with the same flies.

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning and this evening. It wasn’t red hot but there were shad to be caught if you put in work. Caught a lot of fish on the Maria but the Firecracker got about 75% of the fish I landed. Used a ARC 5125 GFR today with a Scandi body head and a 7 ips poly leader. Lots to boats this evening but not as bad as last night.

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning and got into double digits using the Firecracker. Went back this evening and it was packed. There were 20 anglers in the stretch I was fishing and 7 boats (mostly jets). Only got single digits but I made my goal for the day and went home early. I think I’ll skip fishing tomorrow evening!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Local retired fish weekday AM

Local working fish weekday PM

Working out of towners fish weekends.

[Jeff C.]

Fished during the day in my mini-drifter. Pretty much by myself until the evening shift started putting in about 4 om. It wasn’t on fire but I did well with the Firecracker and Ronald McDonald. 30 ft of LC13 was the key!

[Jeff C.]

Slowest day of this run for me. It was so slow that I didn’t even get into to double digits. Everyone I talked to (anglers and boats) had a rough day. Lots of anglers this evening so I was boxed in and couldn’t move to find them. The only ones that did fairly well were gear guys ysing flies that I tied. Tomorrow is another day and things could be different. You dont know if you don’t

[Jeff C.]

Fished during the day before the flow when up to 11K. Did better than yesterday and got into double digits with the Firecracker and Maria. It’s going to be challenging to fish tomorrow with the river up over a foot and moving fast. I’m going to wear my pdf!

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning and got into double digits mostly with the Firecracker. Wading was tough and there were only a few places that you can fly fish. Only a handful of anglers and not much catching by most. Wading is going to be even tougher because the flow is going to 12,000 starting 5 pm today!

[Jeff C.]

Flows actually went to 13K cfs and the river rose almost a foot. Wading is almost impossible. Got some but the gear guys were getting them using flies in the end. Be careful because it’s dangerous wading!

[hwchubb]

I’ve been fishing shad on the American for almost 35 years, and I don’t recall ever seeing it at 13K this time of year (except when the gate broke). Surface action was getting good this weekend, first dry fly shad of the year - this won’t help.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I guess we got a ton of snow up in the mountains this year.

[Scott V]

I guess we got a ton of snow up in the mountains this year.

The last survey from this past weekend stated we are at 202% of normal. Mammoth ski resorts are staying open til August. Yeah, there is a bit of snow still up there.

[Pvillarr]

Flows actually went to 13K cfs and the river rose almost a foot. Wading is almost impossible. Got some but the gear guys were getting them using flies in the end. Be careful because it’s dangerous wading!

At one time, the flows hit 13,800 CFS...it was crazy out there.

[Jeff C.]

Great to see that you got your dad to get out Peter. It’s to bad that the flow was so high!

[Pvillarr]

Great to see that you got your dad to get out Peter. It’s to bad that the flow was so high!

Thanks. We will have to give it a try when the flows get lower. I imagine we will run into you then too lol.

[Quinnphoto]

Took a fellow fly fishing friend out today. The flows and level of the water was crazy high. The Sailor Bar ramp to launch was level with the river. The back bay had current running through it. We saw fish but they were really spread out. Didn’t get double digits but close��

[Jeff C.]

Wet waded today so it didn’t matter if I went in. Wading is still scary in the faster water. Got into double digits but it was definitely work to do so. Did land the biggest hen I’ve caught this run that was between 4-5 lbs. Hooked another fish that ran like a steelhead and almost put me to my backing. My Hardy Taupo wasn’t just quacking, it was screaming! It popped off when it ran to a snag. My heart was racing!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I use to like the flow under 3,000 cfs for nice wading but I guess it is probably more like 5,000 cfs today?

Right now it is 13,200 cfs.....yahoo.

_________________________________________

Kiene's Fly Shop has a Shad Derby this year.

Prize for men, women and youngster.

I think it is $20 and all you do is measure the longest length of the fish.

[Jeff C.]

Bill, I like 3000-8000 cfs to wade for shad. Above those flows wading gets tougher and spots are limited.

[Jeff C.]

Fished during the day at a couple of spots and it was pretty slow. Dropped a small fly box containing 25-30 of my favorite shad flies at the first spot but didn’t realize that it was missing until I got to the second spot. Went back to the first spot and found the box not on the ground where my sling pack was located but in the river! I was relieved because it took serval hours of tying to make those flies. Went back out this evening and it was a little better getting into double digits using the Firecracker!

[hwchubb]

Just got back from the graduation of a friend’s daughter in Gardnerville, NV. We came back on 88, tons of snow in the Carson drainage, Iron Mtn Road is still snowed in. Caples Lake is still iced over except for a few feet in around the edge. We have a lacrosse tourney this weekend in Petaluma, otherwise I’d likely head there -there have got to be a ton of hungry fish cruising the edge of the ice!

Doubt the flows here will drop soon, though.

[Jeff C.]

Fished this afternoon in my mini drifter and it was tough to find a fish. Andy went upriver with his clients and immediate got into shad. I rowed upriver and started picking up fish here and there. I moved down and found a bucket and got into double digits all on the Firecracker! I went home when the flow started going up. Wading is going to just about impossible. If you do try be safe, wear a pdf!

[Jeff C.]

Just talked to Earle Sloan and he told me that there were 6 boats (5 of the 6 gear guys) in his favorite hold named after his late dog Daisy. He packed up and went home! I don’t think I’ll fishing Friday evening!

[Jeff C.]

I tried several different spots today looking for a place to wade in these high flows. Only got single digits but my gear friends using flies did very well. I guess you just have to get deep and 12.5 ft of LC13 wasn’t cutting it. Floating with Earle tomorrow so I think things with be different.

[Jeff C.]

Earle Sloan and I floated today and put over 200 shad to the boat. Best day of shad fishing for both of us. I was using 30 ft of LC13 with a Firecracker and Earle was using a 300 grain 24 ft DC sink tip with a Ronald McDonald.

[EricO]

Earle Sloan and I floated today and put over 200 shad to the boat. Best day of shad fishing for both of us. I was using 30 ft of LC13 with a Firecracker and Earle was using a 300 grain 24 ft DC sink tip with a Ronald McDonald.

I bow Jeff................

[Jeff C.]

FYI, the Sunrise boat ramp is currently closed after a truck, boat and trailer went into the river last night. Fished during the day and it was slow. Went back this evening and got double digits. Lots of anglers mostly gear but not much catching. I went old school and tied on a Wet Pinky and that was the trick!

[JasonB]

Ouch! Fingers crossed that I will never, EVER, be “that guy”. It’s apparently a lot easier to do than most of would like to think, as this is hardly the first time it has happened. Just glad they are ok, but man talk about a real bummer of a way to miss out on some fishing!

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning before it got unbearable and this evening. Hot fly was my M-80 (a size 6 Firecracker) which got me into triple digits on a float with a Earle on Sunday! Got into double digits and even caught a few on a soft hackle steel head fly!

[OceanSunfish]

Ouch! Fingers crossed that I will never, EVER, be “that guy”. It’s apparently a lot easier to do than most of would like to think, as this is hardly the first time it has happened. Just glad they are ok, but man talk about a real bummer of a way to miss out on some fishing!

Very easy to do............... Being in a hurry as not to cause angst at the ramp, excited to go fishing after long days at work, launching alone, and being so damn busy that you don't get to use the boat very often or at and our of routine...... Add them all up and voila!

Thank goodness I've not had the misfortune...... Take it slow and easy at the ramp. If you see someone launching their boat alone, help out instead of creating more anxiety.

Worse is now every misstep is on Social media. Not cool.

[dave earl]

Tom Grant and I hit it Tuesday with Guide Andy Guibbord. Solid day, mostly threw 27 feet of T-11. Jeff's firecracker was most consistent.
Steady but had to move a lot to keep the grabs coming. Andy was great.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Get out with Andy for Shad and/or Stripers........

https://andyguibord.wordpress.com/guiding-instruction/

[Jeff C.]

Andy has been putting in some work on the river. Fished his morning and evening and it was very slow for me. Did get into double digits but it took a lot of casting. M-80 and my Slamming Ching worked. It’s great to get some shad swinging a soft hackle!

[Lorvamp]

Fished this afternoon in my mini drifter and it was tough to find a fish. Andy went upriver with his clients and immediate got into shad. I rowed upriver and started picking up fish here and there. I moved down and found a bucket and got into double digits all on the Firecracker! I went home when the flow started going up. Wading is going to just about impossible. If you do try be safe, wear a pdf!

:o
My friend Allison and I fished with Andy in his jet boat on 6/7. The flows were 13,000 cfs when we started at 1:30pm and over 15,000 cfs when we finished at 8pm. It was Allison's first time fishing for shad. We hooked over 100 shad and landed half using rods with various lengths of LC13. The hot fly was Andy's lipstick fly. We have over 15 doubles'. We saw hundred's of shad swimming in schools under the boat. Whenever action got slow. Andy would move the boat a few feet. I was so tired at the end of the trip and Allison was grinining from ear to ear. I kept telling her on the ride home that it is not always like that

Loretta Strickland

[Jeff C.]

Andy is the man! Did a short float in my mini drifter and got over 90 shad using my M-80 and 30 ft of LC13! Second best day of this run and put me over the thousand mark!

[Jeff C.]

Short float today and got well into double digits. Bunch of other boats and none were hooking up on a regular basis. Hot flies were the M-80, Lipstick and Ronald McDonald!

[Jeff C.]

Floated this afternoon with Earle and it was very slow and spotty. We picked up a few at each spot where we stopped. We ended up scratching up over 40. Hot flies were the M-80 and Ronald McDonald. Ran into Andy with clients and he was putting them into a bunch of shad

[Jeff C.]

Floated in my mini and got over 40. There were a few other boats but no one was really getting into them. I used 30 ft of LC14 and flies that worked were the Firecracker, Red Lipstick and the Too Sexy! I was getting baked in the sun with not much wind so I left early

[cmcdhuibh]

need a bimini for your dingy?

[Jeff C.]

It came with one but doesn’t work with casting a fly rod. I gave it to Andy who is going to use it on his drift boat for American River tours.

[OceanSunfish]

It came with one but doesn’t work with casting a fly rod. I gave it to Andy who is going to use it on his drift boat for American River tours.

UV Proof pop up umbrella works great for much needed 30 minute break/nap from fishing and the hot sun. There is a difference between fabrics........... The good ones work very well and provide relief from searing in the sunshine.

[Jeff C.]

Excellent suggestion! I was thinking about an umbrella. Now I know the right kind to get! Thanks!

[Jeff C.]

Waded today because it was too hot to float. Got well into double digits using the Firecracker, Ronald McDonald, and Red Lipstick!

[Pvillarr]

Waded today because it was too hot to float. Got well into double digits using the Firecracker, Ronald McDonald, and Red Lipstick!

Are you still using the LC13 or LC14?

[Jeff C.]

15 ft Type 8 sink tip! I might go to Scandi with poly leaders!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

It says the flow is 7,340 cfs......

[PV_Premier]

Debating what to do on my morning off tomorrow. Shad near home or trout on the dropping Yuba. Or maybe a small stream. Might be the only midweek day I get locally all summer. Decisions.

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning with a Skagit and the evening with Scandi and I dug the Scandi a lot. Got into double digits with both but the Scandi was not as cliunky as the Skagit. Flies that caught fish were the Firecracker and the Red Lipstick.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Flow today on the American says 6,400 cfs.......

[Jeff C.]

The lower flow has brought the crowds this evening. Most were gear guys (I only saw 3 other fly fishermen) and lots of boats. Not but catching by most but I got well into double digits using a Scandi body and a 15 ft 7 ips poly leader. Flies that worked were the Firecracker and the Red Lipstick (my version of Andy’s Lipstick that I tweaked with some upgrades).

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

flow is going down to 5,640 cfs on 6/21/2019 Friday, so this weekend should be good for wading.

[Jeff C.]

Took the mini out today and did very well. Without a breeze it was cooking but I averaged over 10 per hour so it was a good day. LC13 and a Red Lipstick got her done!

[Jeff C.]

Went out midday on the mini and was hooking then left and right at first then it slowed down. I think the flow drop made them move to deeper water. Caught a couple of big hens (19 and 20+ inches). I moved around and ended up with over 70 using 30 ft of LC13 and a M-80 with a Red Lipstick dropper!

[JasonB]

Finally got out to fish for Shad for the first time this run today. Weak, I know, but we got out and had a pretty good day. It’s funny you said it was hot at first, then slowed down. Things started kinda slow in the morning for us but picked up a lot mid day. Highlight of the day though was when we saw a big steelhead swim up past us, then another, then a third, then immediately my wife gets a hard grab and hooks into a different Steelhead! Unfortunately that one got off after a short but exciting struggle. Pretty cool that you just never know what a day of fishing may hold in surprise for you!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

In the long drainages you can have some steelhead and salmon year round.

[Jeff C.]

Had an epic day wading for shad. Landed over 70 using a Scandi body and a 15 ft 7 ips poly leader and a Red Lipstick. Broke the 1500 mark for this run!

[Jeff C.]

June daily average yesterday wading and over 50 in the mini drifter today. 30 ft of LC13 and Firecracker and a Red Lipstick.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The flow is 4,980 cfs today so wading should be good.

We also have a high of 80 degrees on Wed and Thurs in Sacramento so you better get out there.

Kiene's has a Shad derby you can join for $20.......

[Scott V]

Still no shad on the American.https://juragan.club/assets/2/o.png

Are you being funny or serious? Tons of shad in the American right now.

[Jeff C.]

Took the mini out mid day and got over 80 in 5 hours. 30 feet of lead core, Firecracker and Red Lipstick!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

High today in Sacramento is 80 degrees and tomorrow it is 81.

Time to take a day off and go fishing?

[Jeff C.]

Took the mini out this morning and it was a lot slower than yesterday. Had a few boats near me but I was the only one hooking up. Ended up with over 30! Went wading this afternoon and only got a handful. BTW, I landed a bunch of spent fish with a few fresh in the mix.

[Jeff C.]

Went out in the mini for 6 hours today and got over 50. Broke the 1800 mark for this run. Most fish were spent and skinny. Looks like we are on downhill side of the peak of the run. Get ‘em while you can because they will exit soon!

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning in my mini drifter. I was getting worried when I didn’t get a bump in the whole top half of the run I’ve been floating. Started get one here and there in the middle of the run and then it got pretty consistent near the bottom of the stretch. Lots of skinny spent fish but I did get a couple of fresh hens that were bulging with eggs. Ended up boating over 70!

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning for an hour and got 7. Then I floated with Earle and we had to work hard to get a hundred to the boat. Earle out fished me almost 2:1 using a Ronald McDonald. I still made my monthly daily average using a Firecracker!

[Jeff C.]

Floated with Earle today and we put over 110 to the boat. It wasn't red hot and we had to do some work. Hot fly was the Ronald McDonald

[MThompson]

So how many fish would be considered"red hot"?

[OceanSunfish]

Cotton started flying around for the first time in my neighborhood about 2 weeks ago........... still flying around. This season still has some legs to it, I believe.

[Jeff C.]

Red hot would be 20+ fish an hour. The day Earle and I got over 200 we average around 30 per hour (you could say that it was on fire). Yesterday we averaged less than 15 per hour. Floated in my mini today and got over 90 breaking the 2000 mark for this run. Lots of skinny spent fish but there were several fresh hens. Hot flies were the Bloody Maria and the Red Lipstick.

[Jeff C.]

Took the mini out and got over a hundred in 8 hours of fishing which I consider good fishing! 30 ft of LC13, Bloody Maria and Red Lipstick!

[Pvillarr]

Took the mini out and got over a hundred in 8 hours of fishing which I consider good fishing! 30 ft of LC13, Bloody Maria and Red Lipstick!

I haven’t fished in over 2 weeks due to work and being sick. Are you currently finding more success in the morning or evening for Shad?

[Jeff C.]

I’ve been fishing midday using my boat. The evenings are good but had been crowded.

[Pvillarr]

Thanks for the info. I bet the LC is coming in handy for the midday.

[Jeff C.]

Over a hundred again today. Same set up!

[Jeff C.]

Wet waded today and got over 40. It would have been rough dealing with the raft hatch at all of the ramps. Scandi body. 15 ft 7 ips poly leader and a Red Lipstick!

[Jeff C.]

Earle and I floated and got over a hundred to the boat. Hot flies were the Bloody Maria and the Ronald McDonald .

[Jeff C.]

Earle and I floated today and it was a different scene than yesterday. There was a lot of fishing pressure from bank and boat anglers. The bite was slow at the start and we moved a lot and found fish here and there. Finally we got some water that we could work and started getting more fish but we still had to move around. We found a couple of buckets but the last one we stopped at was pretty good. We ended up with over a hundred but it was work. Hot flies were the Maria, Ronald McDonald and Red Lipstick. I broke the 2400 mark for first time. The run is on the downslope so get it while you can!

[Jeff C.]

Waded this morning and it was crowded at all the good spots with bobber guys. Only got a couple and I was frustrated so I decided to take the mini out in the late afternoon. Fished for 4 hours and averaged 10 an hour. Firecracker and Red Lipstick!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Wonderful Shad season......thanks Jeff.

Gregg Machel fixed the problem we had with uploading photos so give it try and let us know.

[Jeff C.]

Slowest day for me in awhile. Fished 4 hours mid day and only got 2. Went back out this evening and got 7. There were a lot of anglers out and 4 boats. My buddy Tony got around 35 standing near me using a spinning rod and a big white fly. He is closing on 3500 for this run.

[Pvillarr]

Slowest day for me in awhile. Fished 4 hours mid day and only got 2. Went back out this evening and got 7. There were a lot of anglers out and 4 boats. My buddy Tony got around 35 standing near me using a spinning rod and a big white fly. He is closing on 3500 for this run.

Yesterday was weird. I didn't get any action until the sun went down and it was surprisingly on a nymph.

[Jeff C.]

Could have been the drop in flow. Took the mini out this morning and it was very slow. Only got around 30. It might take a couple of days for them to adjust.

[Jeff C.]

Went out this evening and got a handful after the sun got off the water. Broke the 2500 mark for the first time.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The flow is now 4,000 cfs which is great for wading.

Try to get out during the week after work and fish up till sunset.

[EricO]

Went out this evening and got a handful after the sun got off the water. Broke the 2500 mark for the first time.

Hi Jeff,

I want to see that excel spreadsheet with filters so I can sort by time of day, area fished etc.

And please include a pivot table and other graphs as well. :)

Eric

[Jeff C.]

EDawg, I just enter location and daily number but in the comments I note flow, depth, temp and line/tips used.

[EricO]

EDawg, I just enter location and daily number but in the comments I note flow, depth, temp and line/tips used.

That's pretty cool Jeff...I bet you've collected some data over the years!!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Gordon Langenbeck, up in southern Oregon, has a very extensive data base of fishing reports.

I will have him give me some feedback and parameters.

[Jeff C.]

Fished for a couple of hours midday and only got 1, an LDR, then a bunch of missed grabs. I checked my hook and it was opened up from the LDR. A few years back Scott V was fishing in his kayak below us and for about half an hour he kept missing grabs. When he checked his hook it was broken at the bend. Make sure you check your hook frequently! I went back and fished this evening with Aron. We had a fun evening and we both got into double digits.

[OceanSunfish]

Sometimes a open hook or broken hook is not a bad thing..............

[Jeff C.]

Fished this morning in at mini and got almost 30. Went back out this evening and it was good when the sun was out but slowed down for me when the sun went down!

[Jeff C.]

Went out in the mini this morning and got off the water before noon. Ended up with over 30 using a Bloody Maria and a Red Lipstick. I got bored throwing LC13 so it tried using my 6 wt switch rod with a Skagit head and 15 Type 8 sink tip. Got a third of the shad I caught in the morning with this set up. Wet waded this afternoon with Aron and ended making my daily average using the same flies.

[Jeff C.]

Went wading early this morning and did better than most l with a Red Lipstick. Went back out in the afternoon and it was pretty crowded mostly with bobber anglers. Got a handful and a few LDRs. Left before the last gour of light because I was toasted by the sun and heat!

[OceanSunfish]

Returned from Sierras. Still feels like early June. This Shad Season is going to go for awhile longer!

[Jeff C.]

Floated with Earle today and we only boated 20 shad. It's winding down fast. We'll see if they still around after the full moon on Tuesday. When they leave, they are gone over night!

[Pvillarr]

Floated with Earle today and we only boated 20 shad. It's winding down fast. We'll see if they still around after the full moon on Tuesday. When they leave, they re gone over night!

I guess that explains how weird fishing has been the past few days

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Are you seeing any dead ones?

I guess some survive.

On the East Coast and West coast the rivers that are located further north have better survival of Shad after spawning.

[Jeff C.]

I haven’t many dead ones. Most of those that died had been gill hooked.

[Pvillarr]

Did you make it back out last night Jeff? If so, how did that do?

[Jeff C.]

I didn't fish last night after floating all day. Aron fished last night. He should be able to give you a better report.

[Jeff C.]

Fished in the mini this morning and got over 20. Went back out this evening and had a rough evening. I only got 2 and 3 LDRs. Aron and Peter did well getting into double digits. Tomorrow is another day and we’ll see what it brings!

[Jeff C.]

Fished in the mini this morning and got over 30. Went back out this evening and got 6. Aron and Peter did better than me. Caught a big hen that was bulging with eggs like a fish at the beginning of the run. Broke the 2700 mark for the first time.

[Jeff C.]

Took the mini out again this morning and got almost 20. I heard that there are a couple of big balls of shad below Sunrise so they are staging to exit. The last hour of light is your best bet to get some before they are gone. Here’s a summary of how the run went for me: Fished 69 days straight and caught over 2700 shad averaging almost 40 per day (compared to 26 per day last year). Hot flies were the Bloody Maria, Ronald McDonald, Firecracker and Red Lipstick. I’ll update this every few days until it’s over!

[Pvillarr]

Took the mini out again this morning and got almost 20. I heard that there are a couple of big balls of shad below Sunrise so they are staging to exit. The last hour of light is your best bet to get some before they are gone. Here’s a summary of how the run went for me: Fished 69 days straight and caught over 2700 shad averaging almost 40 per day (compared to 26 per day last year). Hot flies were the Bloody Maria, Ronald McDonald, Firecracker and Red Lipstick. I’ll update this every few days until it’s over!

That is an impressive jump from last year Jeff!

[Jeff C.]

It’s really slowed down the past 6 days. Instead of averaging 40 per day I only averaged 16 per day. There are only a few diehards fishing for them. Took the mini out for a solo float today and got over 20 breaking the 2800 mark for the first time. This will be my last post for this run (unless I break 3000 mark but I doubt it will happen). It’s the best run I’ve experienced thanks to the big water. Looking toward to next year already!

[Quinnphoto]

thanks Jeff for all your wonderful posts. I know for me, I would use your info for a baseline for my own fishing for the shad. Oh and I love your Bloody Maria :)

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Jeff is an amazing fly fisher who is in a class of his own.

He is also just a wonderful guy and always fun to have in our shop when he stops by.


One night Jeff did help me catch a Shad and I did take a head first into the river over a big rock.


All my dozens of old friends from the Greatest Generation who fly fished for Shad are gone but would be pleased with Jeff's great

contribution to the sport of Shad fishing.

[Jeff C.]

The rock is still there and we call it Bill’s Rock.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

When I face planted it did not hurt and I rather enjoyed it in the summer.

Thanks Jeff for your inspirational lifestyle......