AR Shad

[Jeff C.]

Looks like the shad may be coming into the American within the next week or two. I got a report from a friend that a boat at the Discovery Park mud line got about 10 yesterday. No one is catching any there today because there are a bunch of sea lions cruising the mouth. The increase in flows on the American will help them make the right turn into the American instead of jamming up the Sac. My shad fly box is ready to go. Let the games begin!

[Mark Kranhold]

Jeff, are you going to beat last years record? I think we need to get some bets going on! Shad tournament anyone? Winner gets one of your shad and summer steelie fly boxes. Being a number thing would be to hard so how about largest fish wins. Does American still do there shad derby? No photoshop people. I could donate a streamer box full of trout and steelhead flies. 1st - 3rd prizes? What do you think. Mark

[Jeff C.]

I think last years' number is going to be hard to beat thanks to the amount of water we had. I think this year will be an average year with the low water.

[Wing Blue]

With the impending bump up in flows in the American River.

Would the higher flow (cooler water) draw the fish to make a right turn into the river from the Sac or would they prefer a lower flow(higher watertemp.)
to enter the river at this time of year? TIA.

[Terry Thomas]

Higher flows: a good thing to bring shad into the river. Lower water temps...not so much.
Lower flows do allow for more areas to wade.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Time to get a Switch rod for the Shad run.

Shad are an excellent fish to use for practicing with your two-handed fly rod.

[Jeff C.]

Tried the lower river yesterday afternoon. Caught only a bunch of steelhead smolts. Over a dozen mostly on a Bloody Maria.