Northwest Fishing Reports

Hi all! Here's my trip down to the mighty Columbia to try to get into some shad. I've only been once before so don't laugh at me, experienced shaders... Alright fine, you can laugh! This fishery is great now that I sort of know how to get at them. They fight really strong, and I really enjoyed them smoked! And I'll see how their remains fair as crab or dogfish bait next month!

If you have some time and gas money I'd highly recommend it. When I was down there I think 20,000 or so shad crossed the dam that day. People with the proper gear were salughtering them when a run was on the move! The last week it's been 100,000+ a day at Bonneville! Should be RED hot!

At any rate, I've been quickly editing this together the last few nights because a class of grade schoolers have been watching my videos and their last day of school was today. Got it in just under the wire! The teacher was using the videos to help teach about the geography of WA state. I think all of us that make videos have a few instances where you think "gee, I'm glad I make these videos." That is probably my biggest such moment.

another good video Blake! I wish the Columbia was closer for a few reason.. shad would be one.. looks like a fun fishery.. dick nites catch lots of fish, if i ever make it to a shad fishery i'll be chucking DN's in force!

If they taste anything like sardines, count me in! I want a whole mess of them!

Those shad are sure fun to catch. Thanks for making a "shad" quest video.

How do they taste? I heard they taste bloody and oily like mackerel., is that true?

Great video FishorMan!!!

Thanks all! I've never had mackerel, but I could see them tasting like I imagine a mackerel would. They are very bloody, oily, and boney. I bleed all my fish when I catch them and these guys are gushers. As soon as you knick their gill, blood just comes pouring out. That said you don't actually taste blood (if you don't want to). I smoked 'em for about 8 hours (probably about an hour too long) and really enjoyed them. They're oily and flakey, and their hundreds of bones are very fine. The bones are easy to chew through when thoroughly smoked. The shad also absorb the brine and smoke better than salmon in my opinion. Partially due to the size, but also the texture of the meat. I think next time I go (probably next year due ot distance) I'll follow OneShot's advice and load up on Dick Nites, and camp at Beacon Rock. It's a really nice camp ground very close to the dam. Get two or three full days in!

I have a surgeon trip on Sunday and realized I'll be an hour away from the dam and I have Monday off. So i'm seriously thinking of going thanks to your video. I need to bone up (HA HA) on shad gear a bit more, does sound simple enoug h. Anyone else have tips or advice? I think I'll brink a 7 ft bass sinning rod and use slinkies for weight.

its just like drift fishing with corkies and yarn. Instead of corkies and yarn, use shad darts, panfish jigs (1/16 grubs) or small spoons like dick nites. Keep in mind your going to lose a lot of gear to the rocks, so jigs are the best value to go. The amount of pencil lead is important too. Too much and your in the rocks, too light and your not in the strike zone. Lastly, slow retrieve is key.

returnofthefish wrote:its just like drift fishing with corkies and yarn. Instead of corkies and yarn, use shad darts, panfish jigs (1/16 grubs) or small spoons like dick nites. Keep in mind your going to lose a lot of gear to the rocks, so jigs are the best value to go. The amount of pencil lead is important too. Too much and your in the rocks, too light and your not in the strike zone. Lastly, slow retrieve is key.

Thanks! I'm gearing up right now.

So Beacon Rock shows no camping on the State Parks site. Any other spots to camp there people know about?

PS- Slow Retrieve while your set up is drifting. Most bites will occur during the swing. reel up real fast after the swing to not get caught in the rocks.

Everything you need to know about shad. The how to fish them and how to eat them.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shad/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cool video. Last year when I was living in Pennsylvania, I wanted to go shad fishing in the Susquehanna River, but never got a chance to.

returnofthefish wrote:Everything you need to know about shad. The how to fish them and how to eat them.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shad/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I had the brochure once but I can't find it. Thanks for the link. No limit, I like.