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Thread: The American Shad run will be starting soon.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,836

    Default The American Shad run will be starting soon.

    They should be coming in from the Pacific ocean into the Sacramento river drainage in April, working there way upstream to spawn.

    They were introduced from the East Coast of America in 1871 into the Sacramento river where they thrived.

    They travel in schools averaging around 3 pounds each and going up to 7 pounds on occasion.


    You can find them holding in runs on the Sacramento, Feather, Yuba and American rivers.

    After World War II they became popular as a game fish on both the Atlantic and Pacific coastal rivers.

    Anglers dip net for them, fish for them with spinning tackle and fly rods too.

    They are a bony fish so many prefer to just catch and release them.

    You can grind their raw flesh up in a meat grinder to cut up the bones into shorter pieces.

    Some pressure cook them to soften the bones.

    Others pickle them which softens the bones.

    Smoking them is a very popular method too.

    Some like to cook and eat their eggs called roe.


    A great way to get started is to hire a local fishing guide who specializes in America Shad in our Nor Cal river.


    April, May and June are usually the months that we see them in our rivers.

    Shad like bite small bright artificial lures and flies plus they fight well when hooked and like to jump in the air too.

    Morning and evening seem to be the best times to catch the silver fighters.



    Last spring, 2019, we had a very good run of American Shad into the lower American river.

    Captain Andy Guibord can get you into this fun fish.




    If you need any help going after these fun local fish just contact me.


    Bill Kiene

    530/753-5267

    billkiene63@gmail.com
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    El Dorado Hills
    Posts
    3,715

    Default

    The dogwoods have already bloomed at my buddies place.
    So long and thanks for all the fish!!!
    `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    306

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Kiene semi-retired View Post
    They should be coming in from the Pacific ocean into the Sacramento river drainage in April, working there way upstream to spawn.

    They were introduced from the East Coast of America in 1871 into the Sacramento river where they thrived.

    They travel in schools averaging around 3 pounds each and going up to 7 pounds on occasion.


    You can find them holding in runs on the Sacramento, Feather, Yuba and American rivers.

    After World War II they became popular as a game fish on both the Atlantic and Pacific coastal rivers.

    Anglers dip net for them, fish for them with spinning tackle and fly rods too.

    They are a bony fish so many prefer to just catch and release them.

    You can grind their raw flesh up in a meat grinder to cut up the bones into shorter pieces.

    Some pressure cook them to soften the bones.

    Others pickle them which softens the bones.

    Smoking them is a very popular method too.

    Some like to cook and eat their eggs called roe.


    A great way to get started is to hire a local fishing guide who specializes in America Shad in our Nor Cal river.


    April, May and June are usually the months that we see them in our rivers.

    Shad like bite small bright artificial lures and flies plus they fight well when hooked and like to jump in the air too.

    Morning and evening seem to be the best times to catch the silver fighters.



    Last spring, 2019, we had a very good run of American Shad into the lower American river.



    If you need any help going after these fun local fish just contact me.


    Bill Kiene

    530/753-5267

    billkiene63@gmail.com
    I bet Jeff Ching is already prepped and ready!
    ..."I'd rather be fishing..."

    Peter V

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Citrus Heights
    Posts
    2,142

    Default

    I’m more than ready! My Red Lipstick should be in the local shops soon. We’ll see what I cook up this year!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Walnut Creek,Ca.
    Posts
    207

    Default

    I love it when everyone starts talking dirty!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Grass Valley
    Posts
    90

    Cool

    Jeff Ching is the Shadmeister!!
    "I never saw a fish I didn't want to catch"

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,836

    Default

    Going down to our river after work for a few hours is really good for the soul.
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Antelope
    Posts
    384

    Default

    You can actually go to old military sites and settlements on the east coast and find old bones of shad. Back in the day they were considered a delicacy, not only for their meat but especially for their roe.
    And Always Remember
    Keep Those Line Tights
    Brian W Clemens
    Nor Cal Fly Guides
    530-354-3740
    norcalflyguides@gmail.com
    www.norcalflyguides.com


    "I have many loves and Fly-Fishing is one of them; it brings peace and harmony to my being, which I can then pass on to others."
    ~ Sue Kreutzer

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Citrus Heights
    Posts
    2,142

    Default

    Indians call shad inside out porcupines (from The Founding Fish).

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Truckee
    Posts
    835

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff C. View Post
    Indians call shad inside out porcupines (from The Founding Fish).
    Great book!
    I lived in Maryland as a kid with a creek in walking distance that had American Shad, Hickory Shad and blueback herring, all of which we fly fished for. The coolest part of the herring run was when a big striper rolled into a small pool and started wrecking shop. Those runs were pretty depleted then though, not sure about now.

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