Jeff's 2017 AR Shad Reports

[hwchubb]

Amazing to see the changes a few cfs make. My bucket at 6400 had little flow at 5000, got 1 and lost 1 last night but slow. Did raise (and miss - just like steelhead!) one shad to a dry, first in at least 2 years. Spotty surface activity though.

[Jeff C.]

Earle and I also with his daughter Sierra put 60 to the boat this evening. I thought Sierra was going to school us right off the bat. I fished early this am and it was slow!

[lee s.]

No wonder there was no time for a picnic.....WE had plenty time at our spot....till last light.

[Jeff C.]

Great to see you Lee! We were going to visit but we didn't want to cut the guy off that was above you. Earle and I floated midday and did good in the middle of the river. Hardly any anglers and only one other drift boat (Mike Folden and clients who caught shad and stripers).

[Anne Vitale]

Hi Folks.....I am thinking about heading out (from the Bay Area) to the American to finally get in some Shad fishing before they go bye-bye. I see the flows have dropped to under 4K cfs. Is that low enough to wade fish Upper Sunrise?
Anne

[Jeff C.]

Hi Anne! It is very wadable right now but it also allows more people to fish. It was very crowded this evening with mostly gear anglers and 6 boats. I only got 1 but Benny and Aron did ok.

[amoeba]

Hi Anne! It is very wadable right now but it also allows more people to fish. It was very crowded this evening with mostly gear anglers and 6 boats. I only got 1 but Benny and Aron did ok.

FYI, banking Asians absolutely slayed them last night. 20 fish each on a stringer. Fish every other cast. Some quality fish. Looks like the hot dart was small chartreuse. Im going to try somewhere without people tonight. There's plenty of river.

[Andy Guibord]

Hi Anne. The flows are great for shad. Upper Sunrise still has plenty fish. Sometimes you can have the whole place to yourself if you fish morning to around 3pm. I was fishing yesterday late afternoon with a friend and his grandson. We caught so many fish we left early and went and had a great dinner before it got dark. I was fishing out of my boat. Anyhow, the fish are there. Anne, call me for more info.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Looks like this is the time for wading with the flow down to 4,000 cfs.

I like early and late for wading.

[STEELIES/26c3]

Sunday was an absolute freakin ZOOOOOOOOOOOO
6 boats including Bob Sparre's North River and his bent-rod bikini bimbos.
I was striper fishing on the opposite bank and never got a touch until I got past the boats and the canopy shad-fest party....
Reminded me of why I seldom fish weekends.