Today I got to fish for shad for the first time (well, I fished a bit last night I’m counting this as the first serious effort).

I arrived at 5:30am at the location closest to the dam, about 30 yards down from the yellow boundary line. There were already a couple dozen people there. The crowd today never got seriously crushing, like some reports I’ve read. I always had a very manageable 8 feet between me and the next person. Also, what a diverse group of anglers, in age, ethnicity, and skill level was there. It was great fun and a very friendly group of people. Catching fish puts people in a good mood.

Things started out pretty rocky as I tried to figure out the right weights, gear, and presentation to put my lure in the fish zone. I caught my first fish an hour into things on an imitation Dick Nite, white/pink 50/50. But still guys to either side of me were bringing them in consistently. I basically cast and watched for the next couple of hours, my frustration growing. I noted most everyone used a very simple rig, a 1/16 yellow with red head bare jig, and leader varying 3-5 ft. Some reeled quite slow, others a little faster. Weights were generally 1/2-3/4 oz pencil lead.

I found some gear that was a pretty close “match to the hatch” and soon caught a couple more. Then the light bulb came on. I figure out exactly where in the current line the majority of the fish were. I noted a few would be caught outside this area, and I caught a couple outside this “sweet spot” as well, but the vast majority were sitting on a line 45 degrees downstream from my cast. Basically, as I relate to steelhead drift fishing, they were just prior to the tail end of your drift, where a steelheader would normally let line free spool to extend the drift, if that makes sense. The trick I found was to cast straight out and start reeling after a moment or two to keep the lead from hitting bottom. Then, keep rod tip down, close to the water, and continue a moderate to slow retrieve to keep the lead off bottom. You don’t need to be touching bottom with your lead. Indeed, that was usually an instant snag, not to mention the bottom is just full of broken line, so don’t bounce bottom! As your rig swings to that final 45 degree area, wait for it… you’ll either get a distinct strike, or you may feel pressure like you’re snagged – but if you had been reeling most likely it’s not a snag, it’s a fish.

Once I had the seam dialed in I was bringing them in as well as the guys I was watching for clues the past three hours. Now my stringer started to fill up. I lost a few at my feet as I had no net, but really, it’s not essential. You can pull them into the rocks at your feet and grab them.

Shad are as fun to catch as I’ve read. They are strong and will make some good runs. And this year there is a whole mess of them, around 4 million I believe I heard? No limits, either. And, you don’t have to be right at the end line, I saw fish being caught all along the rip rap.

Watch your step going down to the water’s edge, the rocks aren’t all solid. Also, while I was there the water level was dropping during prime fishing, and when it started rising the bite went to almost dead. Which was my cue to gather my gear and make the long drive back to Redmond.

What a fun morning of fishing! Special thanks to “Fish or Man” for his video that inspired my to make the detour over to Bonneville.