what fly for shad????

[wabi]

Stopped by the warm water discharge creek at a nearby powerplant today to have a look at fishing possibilities. Where the creek empties into the (Ohio) river there was a lot of surface activity. The surface temp was 57°F at that point so I hiked back to the truck and grabbed my 3wt rod (always in the truck ).

Tied a foam ant - nothing.
Tried an orange nymph - snagged one. (yes, actually snagged in the back)
Tried several pattens I had in my fly box and could not get a hit at all.

The shad were coming to the surface, but didn't seem interested in taking a fly?

Any suggestions?

 

[ghostdncr]

I've found b!tch creek nymphs work well for them, both weighted and unweighted. An unweighted example short-stripped right through the middle of them should produce some hits. I weave the bellies in orange, yellow, or chartreuse. Where on the Ohio are you fishing?

 

[wabi]

I've found b!tch creek nymphs work well for them, both weighted and unweighted. An unweighted example short-stripped right through the middle of them should produce some hits. I weave the bellies in orange, yellow, or chartreuse. Where on the Ohio are you fishing?

I was at the powerplant (JM Stewart plant) just upriver from Aberdeen Ohio. At the mouth of Three Mile Creek.
Have to work in that area again tomorrow, looks like I need to do some tying tonight! Just hope the predicted rain isn't too bad.

I may throw the 6wt rod in the truck and see if I can tempt a white bass while I'm there.

 

[ghostdncr]

You're not all that far from Louisville, so what works here should be a fairly reasonable option for you. Where you find shad, stripers and wipers are likely to be nearby. I like intruders and clousers in baitfish colors for them. :thumbsup:

 

[sandfly]

small gold hook sz. 6 with either silver or gold mylar body. wing of matched duck quills, bright colors works for them.

 

[MoscaPescador]

I put a fly in the Fly Patterns section called Bernie's Bleeder.

MP

 

[ghostdncr]

I put a fly in the Fly Patterns section called Bernie's Bleeder.

Now that's a traditional shad fly, MP! I suppose you could tie that pattern in about any bright color and do well. Aren't there big runs of shad that folks actually target? I seem to recall the Sacramento River has a big run every year. Never tried eating one, but have been told they smoke pretty well.

 

[MoscaPescador]

Now that's a traditional shad fly, MP! I suppose you could tie that pattern in about any bright color and do well. Aren't there big runs of shad that folks actually target? I seem to recall the Sacramento River has a big run every year. Never tried eating one, but have been told they smoke pretty well.

The Sacramento River and its tributaries have huge runs of American Shad. I usually fish the Sacramento River just upstream of Sacramento in late April. I will fish the lower stretches of the American River through Sacramento County in May. Late May into June, I fish the Lower Yuba east of Marysville.

MP

 

[ab fisher]

EP minnows are good. get some congo hair from Fly tyers dungeon or just the regular EP material and you can tie up a bunch of color combos in all sizes

 

[Tracker12]

I can vouch or the Bernie Bleeder. MP hooked me up last year and it was hot on the Potomac for both Hickories and Americans. I have to think those are gizzard shad you are seeing this time of year.

 

[ghostdncr]

Here's one of mine from late last year, since it appears no one esle is going to post any photos.

 

[MoscaPescador]

Back to fly selection, here is a recipe of Bernie's Banger. It is very similar to Bernie's Bleeder. In that same reply, there is a picture of Bernie's Beadhead Banger.

MP

 

[wabi]

These are gizzard shad I guess. Went back to the spot yesterday, but it was raining and the banks were soft sticky mud in most places.
I made a few casts just to say I tried, but I just couldn't get to any really good looking locations because of the rain/mud. I may go back in a few days, the mud should be solid ground by the weekend if the weather forecast holds true.