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Fly Fishing for Shad

Shad or more precisely American Shad is more often than not over looked as a species of fish suitable for fly fishing. And what a shame that is. First off unlike many other more common and perhaps glamorous species shad numbers are often very healthy and getting healthier. North Carolina's Neuse River, for one, boasts of a huge resurrection in shad numbers. Oregon's Columbia River shad numbers over 2 million fish annually. The legendary Delaware River has over 300 miles of shad habitat. So why are shad frequently ignored by fly fishers?

I suppose tradition as much as anything. Most of us were raised fly fishing for trout, steelhead or perhaps salmon. Anything that did not taste good in the frying pan or over an open fire was reduced to the status of trash fish. But as fly fishing has migrated from eating your catch to more likely releasing your catch, so has fly fishing. Not that shad aren't good to eat, many people consider them a delicacy, and although bony and difficult to fillet there are ways to slow cook them as to melt the smaller bones altogether.

The American Shad is an anadromous fish, migrating from fresh water to salt water and back again to spawn. Migrating season varies widely with the location. Temperature plays a large part in the migrating season. The further south one is the earlier the season. In Florida's St. Johns River for example the season can begin in November. Further up in north the Roanoke run starts in February usually peaking in March. More northern reaches might not start in earnest until June, particularly on the west coast.

What really makes shad a treat for fly fishers, besides their numbers, is their incredible fighting ability. Nicknames in various locations as 'poor man's salmon' or 'poor man's tarpon' they have a well deserved reputation as literally ripping a fly on a run that will send you and your reels screaming with delight.

The best time to fish for shad is low light conditions preferably early morning or overcast days. Evening times generally produce fewer strikes, perhaps their interest is on the reason for their return at this time. It is generally thought shad are not actively feeding inland; although this opinion varies widely from location to location. In general the longer shad have been in the fresh water the less interested in food they. However shad can and do return to the ocean after spawning. Unlike pacific salmon their digestive tract remains intact. Undoubtedly some strikes will be aggression, some instinctual, some curiosity, and some out of hunger.

Shad's primary food source in the ocean is plankton, but they will eat other common sources of food. Plus since they were born in fresh waters, sources of food there are not going to be totally foreign. Nevertheless most fly fishing for shad is done with brightly colored patterns offering lots of movement. Woolly Buggers, Clousers, and Crazy Charlies are all common offerings for shad.

Wet fly swing is probably the most effective technique for shad. Imparting motion can help when nothing is working. Also allow your fly to hang down for a good fifteen seconds at the end of each cast. Often times they will grab, and I do mean grab, and the end of a swing. Shad hit hard, be ready, but stay calm. They will hook themselves.

Shad feed in schools in the ocean, and move in schools upriver. They tend to set up camp in seams, below rapids, and move all at once. They are light sensitive, but many sunny days they do adjust to the light by midday. Although your best slam dunk time is early morning. Vary sink rates and depths until you find one, and then don't leave the spot you find them.

Shad weigh in at 2-3 lbs. for males and five pounds or so for females. Size can vary depending on location. Hickory Shad common in Washington D.C. are smaller. Depending on river size 7-9 wt rods are recommended. Sink tip lines in most situations are helpful especially if fishing large rivers, you want to get your fly down quickly.

About the Author

Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier. He now owns and operates Big Y Fly Co. A retail and wholsale fly fishing outlet find it at http://www.bigyflyco.com.

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