Jeff's 2017 AR Shad Reports

[Jeff C.]

Don't get too excited about this thread getting starting because we are at least a month or month and a half out before the Shad start showing up on the A. When they do come I expect it to be one for the history books as the case for most big water years. We could have some big flows when Folsom fills up and the snow melt keeps coming. This may make wading tough and a boat would be ideal. Been tying shad flies since the Steelhead run was a bust due to the river being blown out. Here's a fly I came up that I call the Pearl Mirror. Stay tuned for further updates!

[Sheepdog8404]

Oh Boy, Jeff. When I saw this thread title I was expecting you to say you went out last night and touched 50 fish already.

Fly looks juicy! I'm sure that'll be responsible for many tugs this year for you.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Good year to buy a boat......plenty of water everywhere.

Jeff....that fly looks good.

[hwchubb]

The best year I've had for shad on dries was the last time it was 5-7K for most of the run, which may be as simple as more fish = more fish on the surface. The river may not be clear until the shad show either...

[Darian]

WOW!!! Good looking fly. That ought to wake 'em up....

[Jeff C.]

Saw a pic of a shad caught in the Pittsburgh area yesterday. It was taken by Erin B. with the USFWS. They are on their way!

[Idadon]

Question: Do Shad acclimatize in the Martinez, Benicia area like returning Steelhead & Salmon? All the years I fished in that area I don't think I ever hooked or heard of a shad being caught that low. Just curious!

[Jeff C.]

I don't know the answer to that question but I'm sure Alosa will.

[Alosa]

I don't know the answer to that question but I'm sure Alosa will.

Wish I knew the answer to that one, but I simply don't. Shad haven't been the subject of much focused research in the Sacramento drainage, and there are a lot of unanswered questions. Most of the information I have gleaned has been anecdotal from this forum (ironically).

[Jeff C.]

Had a dream last night that I caught a 9 lb shad on the American April 3rd. I must had shad on my brain!