Shad Flies

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Bobby Davis

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Jan 27, 2017, 3:23:31 PM1/27/17
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Hi Everyone,
Is there anything I should be tying besides clousers to gear up for the shad run?  And what size clouser?  I have size 2 streamer hooks that I was gonna use.  Whats everyone's favorite color combo's?

Kevin Huntington

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Jan 27, 2017, 3:56:53 PM1/27/17
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Hey Bobby,

You can pretty much throw anything with flash or a bright color and it's going to get bit. Every year one color seems to outperform the rest, but no one knows what that'll be until people start catching fish.

This isn't my picture, but all of the flies in this photo are usually similar to what I'll fish. Furthermore, just search "shad" or "shad flies" in this group and you'll end up with more information that you could want. Orvis Arlington and Tyson's usually carry a good stock of shad flies in season so you can always check out the bins for reference.

Size isn't a huge factor for me, but that said, I usually fish mostly size 6-10.

Happy tying man!
Shad Flies.jpg

Carl Smolka

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Jan 27, 2017, 5:12:27 PM1/27/17
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Bobby,

Here’s another set for shad to get some size and color ideas from.

Tight lines,

Carl S

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Bobby Davis

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Jan 27, 2017, 5:15:46 PM1/27/17
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So pretty much anything shiny? 

On Jan 27, 2017 5:12 PM, "Carl Smolka" <carl....@verizon.net> wrote:

Bobby,

Here’s another set for shad to get some size and color ideas from.

Tight lines,

Carl S

 

 

From: tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potomac-fly-rod...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bobby Davis
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 3:24 PM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com>
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Shad Flies

 

Hi Everyone,

Is there anything I should be tying besides clousers to gear up for the shad run?  And what size clouser?  I have size 2 streamer hooks that I was gonna use.  Whats everyone's favorite color combo's?

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Carl Smolka

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Jan 27, 2017, 5:19:08 PM1/27/17
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Even ugly works, sometimes J

 

 

From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bobby Davis
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 5:16 PM
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Shad Flies

 

So pretty much anything shiny? 

On Jan 27, 2017 5:12 PM, "Carl Smolka" <carl....@verizon.net> wrote:

Bobby,

Here’s another set for shad to get some size and color ideas from.

Tight lines,

Carl S

 

 

From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bobby Davis
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 3:24 PM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Shad Flies

 

Hi Everyone,

Is there anything I should be tying besides clousers to gear up for the shad run?  And what size clouser?  I have size 2 streamer hooks that I was gonna use.  Whats everyone's favorite color combo's?

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Rob Snowhite

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Jan 27, 2017, 6:40:21 PM1/27/17
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We'll spend March and April beer ties on shad flies. My preference is a 1/16 jig head fly with my damsel nymph about 18" behind. 

Google image 'Potomac shad fly pattern' and you see flies by several TPFR members like Alex And Kevin. 



Talking to so many people a Somerset about our world class fishery. Telling them how it's the next big travel destination. If only it lasted longer. 

Sent from my iPhone

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HeaveToo

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Jan 30, 2017, 2:46:58 PM1/30/17
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I made my own shad fly that has been super effective and it picks up other fish as well.

The name of the fly is a Red-Headed Flasher.

The original Recipe was a streamer hook.  You tie in large deepwater eyes.  You then tie in some marabou for a tail and some flashabou.  Then you rap to the head with Pearl estaz.  The head had a rap of red yarn then overrapped with the pearl estaz.  I have changed the pattern over the years to rap the head with red estaz, tied in red thread, and I have tied it in chartreuse. 

First picture showes the redheaded flasher in Chartreuse.  There is also one in the second picture
2011-10-07_14-44-41_25.jpg
Streamers.jpg

TurbineBlade

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Jan 31, 2017, 8:51:16 AM1/31/17
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This past season, myself and a fairly pregnant Beth really cleaned up with Rob's damsel nymph in olive on about 10" or so of total leader of about 10-pound mono I think it was.  I recommend the heavier shank "scud" type hooks -- don't remember the exact model, but a 2x strong, scud hook in #10 was it.  If you use lighter wire hooks, in our experience, you'll bend them open after a few shad dive down deep on you. 

That said, this question is somewhat like seeing someone shoot a really nice buck and then asking them what kind of underwear they were wearing at the time.  Keeping a tight line so you can feel bites is the real trick to me. 

Gene


On Friday, January 27, 2017 at 6:40:21 PM UTC-5, Rob Snowhite wrote:
We'll spend March and April beer ties on shad flies. My preference is a 1/16 jig head fly with my damsel nymph about 18" behind. 

Google image 'Potomac shad fly pattern' and you see flies by several TPFR members like Alex And Kevin. 



Talking to so many people a Somerset about our world class fishery. Telling them how it's the next big travel destination. If only it lasted longer. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 27, 2017, at 5:12 PM, Carl Smolka <carl....@verizon.net> wrote:

Bobby,

Here’s another set for shad to get some size and color ideas from.

Tight lines,

Carl S

 

 

From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potomac-fly-rod...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bobby Davis
Sent: Friday, January 27, 2017 3:24 PM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Shad Flies

 

Hi Everyone,

Is there anything I should be tying besides clousers to gear up for the shad run?  And what size clouser?  I have size 2 streamer hooks that I was gonna use.  Whats everyone's favorite color combo's?

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tperkins

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Jan 31, 2017, 9:09:36 AM1/31/17
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Another vote here for the damsel size 10 scud hook. I normally drop it off a fly similar to what others have mentioned. Green or Pink. Size 4 or 6 hook, marabou tail estaz body bead chain eyes. I get more hook ups on the damsel, but think it all works better when I have both flies. 

arthur...@gmail.com

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Jan 31, 2017, 3:31:43 PM1/31/17
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The works works great! I like on a size 8 though.

Art

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Bobby Davis

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Jan 31, 2017, 5:23:35 PM1/31/17
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The works? 

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