Shad are in all the Valley rivers now............

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

...........we just need the flows to come down.

They are suppose to be lowering American the river to 5,000 cfs for the big holiday weekend.

This might be a great time to try the river for Shad.

[Mike L]

I might be going to the A this weekend for shad. Problem is I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FISH FOR SHAD!! I have never done it before but heard it is really easy and very fun so any advice/ techniques and flies would be great. thanks for the help.

-Mike

[nightgoat]

Hey Mike -

My rig for Shad is a 9' 7wt with an SA Streamer Express line (sinking head w/integrated running line), 3-6' level leader (8-12lb test, depending on what I have handy) and Shad flies. Shad flies are usually very bright colors (hot pink, flourescent chartreuse, etc.) except for the Best Shad Fly Ever -- the Wet Pinky If you make it up this weekend, shoot me an email and I'll give you some details on where to go and maybe meet up

Oh yeah, the cool thing about Shad fishing is you never know when you might tie into something else....

http://www.kiene.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=3280

[J.R. Hubbard]

In the grand scheme of fly fishing, Shad is not the most difficult.

[Ed Wahl]

Seems the sudden change in flows kinda shut things down for a day or so. Shad reappered on Sunday but still not red hot fishing yet. I guess I have to believe stripers exist now, I saw one track a foot long shad on a line then heave up and bite it. . Not sure about going in the water now, it was like watching a shark attack on tv. Did manage about half a dozen shad, should keep getting better every day now.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Week nights after work for shad now should be wonderful.

Put your gear in the car.

June should be very good.