We drove into the Yuba Gold Fields about 50 years ago.

The job shack was on the south side of the lower Yuba river near the Daguerre dam.

Joe Patterson, Joe Shirshac, George Martin, Bruce Potter and I drove up to the Yuba for Shad.

These old timers were good about taking us youngster fishing with them.

There was a $5.00 fee per car and the old guys complained about it.

This was Bruce and I's first trip to the Daguerre dam for Shad.

You could not fish until you were 250 feet below the dam.

By the dam looked like a fish hatchery with thousands of Shad piled up.

We found a nice run below the dam and waded in for some fantastic action.


Joe Pattern, our Cortland Line Company Rep noticed that some big Rainbow trout were jump for big dragon flies.

He went back to his big sedan and got his "trout" vest and begin fishing a big dry for those nice trout.


If you ever get a chance to fish for Shad on the lower Yuba river you won't regret the experience.


The water was "gin clear" and you could see the Shad.

Lower Yuba can be awesome for Shad below Daguerre dam if there is water, which there isn't much of this year. Not sure how far up they will even go but any runoff will be done in a few weeks. I always preferred 3K-4K CFS. Some liked it down to 2K but I always felt there were a lot more fish willing to bite with higher flows. I remember in 2003, 2005, & 2011. I had several 50-60 fish days there.

My old man talks about CFFU field trips to the Yuba for shad late 60s or early 70s. They would catch a bunch and smoke them. Maybe he said they smoked 'em on site. I am excited as Captain Andy G is taking my Dad and my son on an American float for Shad. Hopefully it will bring back good memories and they will catch a few together.

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Originally Posted by John Sv

I am excited as Captain Andy G is taking my Dad and my son on an American float for shad. Hopefully it will bring back good memories and they will catch a few together.

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That’s rad John!! Andy will be great for a day like that.

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Originally Posted by John Sv

My old man talks about CFFU field trips to the Yuba for shad late 60s or early 70s. They would catch a bunch and smoke them. Maybe he said they smoked 'em on site. I am excited as Captain Andy G is taking my Dad and my son on an American float for Shad. Hopefully it will bring back good memories and they will catch a few together.

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Great post John,

What is your dad's name?

Back in the 1970s my brother Dick and I were the News Letter Editors for the old fly club.

Some of the members, like your dad, would go out and catch some Shad and have them smoked down in Freeport, California.

Then on a Saturday in June the club would have a huge Shad Outing and Picnic at Goethe Park (River Bend Park).

Naturally with smoked Shad and beer for all.......

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Originally Posted by Ned Morris

Lower Yuba can be awesome for Shad below Daguerre dam if there is water, which there isn't much of this year. Not sure how far up they will even go but any runoff will be done in a few weeks. I always preferred 3K-4K CFS. Some liked it down to 2K but I always felt there were a lot more fish willing to bite with higher flows. I remember in 2003, 2005, & 2011. I had several 50-60 fish days there.

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Thanks Ned

Great feedback.....


I have gone in Terry Thomas' group with Capt. Maury Hatch to fish the lower Yuba river for Shad below Daguerre Dam.

Maury jet boated us up from the launch at the mouth of the Yuba going into the Feather river.

Some years like this one there just is not enough water to get up there for the boats or the Shad.


Like I said, put this on your Bucket List for a future year.