Dan Davala's Helpful Shad Links

[Mike D.]

Hey All - Last year was my first year fishing for shad on the Potomac.  Dan Davala sent me an awesome email which contained a bunch of useful information.  Since there are quite a few posts from shad first-timers looking for advice, I wanted to share this resource (and thank Dan for pointing me in the right direction last year.)  This email is a year old, so if some links are dead, my apologies.  Hope this helps:

HELPFUL POTOMAC RIVER SHAD FISHING TOOLS:

 

 

Gauge and Water Temp. (at Little Falls) 55 degrees and up is best:  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/uv?01646500

 

Water Level Forecast (what to expect):  http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lwx&gage=brkm2

 

Tide:  http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/NOAATidesFacade.jsp?Stationid=8594900&&bmon=03&bday=28&byear=2012&edate=&timelength=daily

 

Weather:  http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USDC0001

 

Detailed Map of locations from Georgetown to Fletcher's (thanks Mike Bailey):  http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215985205281593198240.0004b9b1bc00cfd986f02&msa=0

 

Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders Website (daily reports on the forum):  www.tpfr.org

 

Fletcher's Cove Website:  http://www.fletcherscove.com/index.htm

 

 

SHAD IDENTIFICATION AND FACTS (courtesy of Maryland DNR):

 

Hickory Shad:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishfacts/hickoryshad.asp

 

American Shad:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishfacts/americanshad.asp

 

Blueback Herring and Alewife:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishfacts/herring.asp

 

Gizzard Shad:  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishfacts/americangizzardshad.asp 

 

 

OTHER USEFUL AND INTERESTING RESOURCES:

 

"SHAD FISHING" by C.Boyd Pfeiffer:  http://www.amazon.com/Shad-Fishing-C-Boyd-Pfeiffer/dp/0811730670 

 

"The Founding Fish" by John McPhee:  http://www.amazon.com/The-Founding-Fish-John-McPhee/dp/0374104441

 

"Fly Fishing For Shad on the Rappahannock" - Beau Beasley:  http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com/speakers/beau-beasley/fly-fishing-for-shad-on-the-rappahannock-river.cfm

 

 

RECOMMENDED TACKLE:

 

Single Hand Rod - 6 weight - 8 weight, 9'-10' long

Double Hand Rod - 6 weight - 9 weight, 11' - 14' long (I like long rods from the rocks)

 

Standard Lines - Fast, full sinking is best, fast sinking sink-tip lines with tips at least 10' long (15' is better).  Multi-tip lines with a 15' type 6 tip works great too.

Spey Lines - Skagit lines with 12'-15' fast sinking tips

 

Leader - short (2' - 3'), level piece of 0X (approx. 16lb.), fluorocarbon is preferred for abrasion resistance around the rocks.

 

Flies - any small, flashy fly in sizes #4-#8.  Many Shad Patterns are available, but a #6 Clouser tied short in Chart./White is all that is needed.  Most bright bonefish flies work as well as do classic streamers like Mickey Finns.

[namfos]

Thanks, Dan!

[Brian Ibanez]

Fantastic!

On Saturday, March 30, 2013 9:19:14 AM UTC-4, namfos wrote:

Thanks, Dan!