SHAD FISHING FUN!

Okay........so this isn't a lake report.

However, I've got to share what a great time it is fishing for Shad on the Columbia River right now. As we speak, over 2 million Shad have crossed over Bonneville Dam and up to a 100,000 a day are passing over through the month of June.

What are shad? Think of them as Herring on a serious steroid regimen. They average about 18 inches in size and range from a pound and a half in size to 5 pounds. They fight very well, making good runs and occasionally going airborne! You'll need medium tackle and at least 8 pound test for these hard fighting fish. Do it right, and you can easily catch 25 fish in a day.

You'll need shad darts (available at Tim's Texaco in Cascade Locks, or the gas station/delis in N. Bonneville and Stevenson). You'll also need to put them on three feet of leader above which you should have about an ounce of weight. The Shad school near the bottom, and you need the weight to get the them there. In Washington, the place to go is just below Bonneville Dam, or a little later in the season, below McNary Dam.

Just cast out, reel in slowly as it drifts along, and reel up quick as it comes in towards shore to avoid the unforgiving rocks. Expect a crowd and a good time when you go, but go quickly, the bulk of the run ends by the end of June!

There's no limit on these guys. They are very bony, and some people throw them back or use them for bait. Others do take them home, pressure cooking them or smoking them. Whatever you do with them, they are a fun fish to catch, and a great day to spend a day on the river!

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