The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

In one my less acrimonious recent online discussions (ahem) I was debating with some American River anglers on the fighting abilities of shad. I think they're stronger swimmers than trout, especially when they have some current to work with.

Here's a link to a film clip I took to try and demonstrate some strong shad struggles. I always turn on the camera too late, and this is one of those times . . . but we did end up capturing a quick double

http://www....com/watch?v=8GWBeHDixwo

The fish are in strong as far as Rd. 48 and a bit above. If you don't have a gate key, but you do have a boat, then you should do fine. I think we actually did a good deal better than the gravel bar waders by motoring upstream and swinging/hanging flies any place with the right depth.

Comparisons are odious; why not fish for BOTH shad and trout? I dropped in for a couple of Pit River days and found the river to be fishing great. My very first cast got a nice, active 16 inch fish, and though there are certainly better and bigger fish in the river, I got a picture of this guy in honor of his readiness to begin the day:

http://bp3...fY/s1600-h/firstcast.jpg

When I get back home, the fishing slows down considerably, as finding stripers in a sea kayak is hit-and-miss at best. But yesterday was a hit, so I had a lovely dish of "ceviche con mercurio" last night. All around, the fishing report is a positive one!

A 10 lb shad could tow a 20 lb trout from one end of the planet to the other. Something about ducking Stripers their whole life makes them fast and strong.


I almost have it narrowed down to a Malibu X Factor or a Ocean Kayak Trident. The shop that has both of them is having a demo day next month, and I will order one after test riding them, hopefully in time for fall striper season. I have some good honey holes you can drive to a start fishing 50 feet away. We just need to hire (or bring) a bench warmer with a handgun to protect the trucks. We'll have to get some others like Ed K. and have a sea kayak mini Bash.

Hey Eric,

Looks to me like you and Michael are having way to much fun with those Shad . Good for you guys.

Still have very fond memories of our Alaska trip together last year. I just have been having a hard time just getting out these days . I did really enjoy my last good trip, a first time experience at Pyramid about a month or so ago.



My big fish on that trip


Best Wishes!

Bill

Nice video. Wish I could get some free time to head up. Been way too busy lately.

Phil

Sounds good troutnut! I just pm'd you the email for a guy I know who fishes from an X-Factor.

I only had one really good striper day on the delta last fall, but it kind of made it all worthwhile. I love paddling out there. A yak mini bash could be great fun.

Take out the lineup, and that picture could have been from Alaska. That's a healthy-looking fish!

Hope you can make some time to get out and try some shad Bill. Sounds like Jeff Ching has been having some decent days on your backyard river.

Speaking of having too much fun, I too have fond memories of the dolly-and-grayling frenzy that we ran into on our first day floating the Kanektok.