Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring Fly Fishing For Shad

The largest anadromous fish run in the Columbia River is the run. At 3-5 million fish annually, it is the largest shad run in the world. There are many species of shad world wide. They are members of Herring family. There are many species that never leave fresh water and rarely exceed 4-inches in length and species that are major food fish that migrate into the tributaries of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and China. The Columbia River Shad (American Shand) Alosa sapidissima are native to the east coast of the United States and were originally planted in the Sacramento River delta in 1871. From there they spread north into the larger river along the west coast of the U.S. They are plankton feeders but will strike small bright colored flies, wobblers and jigs. American Shad spawn in fresh water, but migrate to saltwater to feed and grow. They spend approximately 8 months in fresh water

before they migrate to the Ocean. Baby shad are a major food source for many predatory Columbia River game fish especially small mouth bass. Male Shad reach sexual maturity at about 3 years of age when they are about 2-3 pounds. Most female shad are sexually mature at 4-years old and weight about 3-6 pounds. The all-tackle world record is over eleven pounds. the fly rod record is over seven pounds. Sexually mature shad begin migration up the Columbia River to spawn when the water temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees. This last week the temperature of the lower Columbia was 57-58 degrees. Shad are broadcast spawners, which means they release their eggs into the current as opposed to digging redd in the gravel to lay their

eggs. Spawning usually takes place during the low-light evening and nighttime hours. Many shad don't die after spawning and may survive to spawn multiple times. Usually the largest specimens are females that have spawned several times. While migrating upstream, shad usually follow the shoreline at depths from 3-15 feet. Many fish can be found in moderate flows of moderate depth. A fish-finder and a power boat are two of the best pieces of equipment for finding shad. An easy approach is to anchor the boat and let the fish come to you. Shad are superb fly rod game fish. Tackle from 4-weight to 8-weight is appropriate. We like 6-weight the best. For our favorite shad water a Cortland 175

Links:
Shad Foundation
American Shad
Columbia River Shad
Columbia Fish Counts

grain Quick Decent line or a Jim Teeny T-130 or T-200 line give good control at depths that most shad travel at. Shad seem to take flies best when the fly is exactly at their level in the water. The level that shad travel at changes with the flow and the time of day. Generally the brighter the day, the deeper they will travel or hold.

During low light conditions shad may be near the surface. Keep an eye on your fish finder and vary your sink rate to present the fly at the level where your screen displays the most fish. The most popular shad flies are size #4 or #6 fluorescent red, orange or chartreuse with liberal amounts of silver or gold flash although non-reflective patterns such as Teeny Nymphs in fluorescent pink, orange and green are popular with some anglers. Other anglers report doing well on dark flies such as insect green and even black Teeny Nymphs. Bonefish flies such as the Puff and and Crazy Charley series are also know shad producers. Shad seem to take best when the fly is presented with a down and across swing. Many takes are experienced when the fly is on the hang-down. Shad strike with a definite grab. Feeding a shock loop as in steelhead fishing seems to result in more solid hook-ups.

Free Fly Tying Class Sunday Evening: 6:00pm - 8:00pm.
	June 6 Salmon Fly Hatch Flies #6 Stimulator, Yellow #4 Bullet Head Stone
At: The Fly Fishing Shop. All materials provided. Bring your fly tying tools if you have them. Some tool sets will be provided for in house use. First come, first served. Beginners & experienced tiers welcome. Instructor: Trez Hensley.

Stonefly Maidens Women's Fly Casting Clinic
	The 2nd annual Free Women’s Casting Clinic is set for June 12, 2004 at Blue Lake Park from 1pm to 5pm. This is a ‘rain or shine’ event. This clinic is sponsored by the club but you don’t have to be a member to attend. You do need to register.
Once again, Katherine Hart will be teaching us all how improve our cast. Bring your rod and reel if you have one, if you don’t we will have some you can borrow. Barbequed lunch will be served. Click here for more information.

G. Loomis Demo Day Sunday, June 13, 11:00am - 3:00pm
	Join G. Loomis rep Mike Perusse at The Fly Fishing Shop for a back yard salmon barbeque (all you can eat). Two StreamDance fly rods will be given away. One will be given to the winner of a general drawing the other will be given to the winner of the back yard accuracy casting contest. A huge selection of G. Loomis fly rods will be available for your examination. Come early & stay late.

KPUMP-1 is designed to fit in back packs and side pockets of pontoon bots and float tubes.
Use where storage space is limited.
KPUMP-2 is the most popular size for 8' to 10' pontoon boats and stores easily beside the seat.
KPUMP-3 will inflate multi-person pontoon boats and rubber rafts in a hurry.

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Item	Description	Chamber Size	Price	To Top
KPUMP-1	K-Pump Air Pump	3" X 17"	$49.00
KPUMP-2	K-Pump Air Pump	2 1/2" X 27"	$49.00
KPUMP-3	K-Pump Air Pump	4" X 30"	$90.00

Fly Fishing For Shad

K-Pump