4/21/09 AR Report

[Jeff C.]

Went out on the upper river to try for some shad after work yesterday. I was using my switch rod, skagit head, a Type 8 sink tip and a Surf Candy fly. At the bottom of a swing I had a hard grab and some violent tugs. Anyway, I reeled him in fast thinking I got my first shad of the season. Not!! It was a 21" steelie buck (must have thought my Surf Candy was an alevin). I know the shad are starting to enter the river. I guess I'm going to have to move areound to find them. Hopefully, they'll be stacked up like cordwood in a couple of weeks.

[Scott V]

That is a nice fish Jeff. I'll be out staring next week. Probably where we park on the rocks.

[Jeff C.]

They might be up there by then. I think they are being caught at Rossmore right now based on what I've "sniffed" out on another board. They are not stacked up anywhere. I think there are small pods that made the right turn off the Sac and are heading staright up river. I know of a spot on the lower river where they might hold in these higher flows. I'll call you if it gets red hot down there. If not I'll see you at the old spot.

[SHigSpeed]

Went out on the upper river to try for some shad after work yesterday. I was using my switch rod, skagit head, a Type 8 sink tip and a Surf Candy fly. At the bottom of a swing I had a hard grab and some violent tugs. Anyway, I reeled him in fast thinking I got my first shad of the season. Not!! It was a 21" steelie buck (must have thought my Surf Candy was an alevin). I know the shad are starting to enter the river. I guess I'm going to have to move areound to find them. Hopefully, they'll be stacked up like cordwood in a couple of weeks.

Man, dontcha just HATE it when you accidentally catch a steelhead? ;^)

Can't wait for shad though.

_SHig

[Mrs.Finsallaround]

Went out on the upper river to try for some shad after work yesterday. I was using my switch rod, skagit head, a Type 8 sink tip and a Surf Candy fly. At the bottom of a swing I had a hard grab and some violent tugs. Anyway, I reeled him in fast thinking I got my first shad of the season. Not!! It was a 21" steelie buck (must have thought my Surf Candy was an alevin). I know the shad are starting to enter the river. I guess I'm going to have to move areound to find them. Hopefully, they'll be stacked up like cordwood in a couple of weeks.

Damn! I was REALLY excited till I read "NOT!"......

Not that I'd mind catchin' that beautiful buck, 'specially since I have yet to land a steelie. But, I'm just WAITING for those shad to show up... can't wait to give it another go this year!

I caught one each of the two times I tried it last year, and I'm HOOKED! Hubby's even helping me to figure out how to go out there on my own.... (he's not impressed with catchin' "baitfish" like I am... LOL.)

Now I just gotta to tie up some flies....

[Hairstacker]

Robin, your enthusiasm is infectious. I hope you run into the mother of all shad schools.

[Jeff C.]

Hey Robin! When they are in just come down to the ole' spot any evening. I know you were stoked when you caught your first one last year.

[Jet]

Joey and I are getting ready to start again for the season. He is currently trying to work a deal on a 6/7 wt spey rod from Kienes. He sold some of his flies today to earn some of the money. We only had a small taste last year so we are looking to get some numbers this year.

Joe

[Jeff C.]

Hey Jet & Joey! Looking forward to seeing both of you getting into them. They are definitely in the American but not in the upper river yet. The secret is to find the right kind of holding water with these higher flows. Last year the river was at 1500 cfs for almost the whole month of May and the Log Hole was great. Probably not this year.

[Jeff C.]

The location I guessed about from the other board was wrong. They are being caught at Howe Ave and not at Rossmore. You just have to find the right kind of holding water.