Shad on the Willy

I'd be interested to see how big they get.   The Oregon record is 6 lb 6 oz.    My personal best is about 24" and probably close to 5 lb.

My largest was similarly sized. It was a long time ago. I currently favor the leading edge of the run which tends to yield mostly smaller males.

According to iFish, people seem to be getting them in OC.   I may try for an evening after work later this week. 

According to iFish, people seem to be getting them in OC.   I may try for an evening after work later this week. 

I just checked the fish counts.   The Willamette Falls count doesn't count shad, but Bonneville does.  The shad have just started to make it over the Bonneville dam and given that the Willamette tends to run a bit earlier than the Columbia so it's probably worth trying now.  Let us know how it goes.

Plenty of shad being caught at Gladstone. I'm out right now. As usual position it crucial so keep moving if you aren't getting bit.

Ilike the small pink lady and trolling.  I also will sometimes use a wiggle wart as a diver by removing the rear hook and replacing it with a 3 foot lighter leader attached where the hook was.  Then I hook on a small Dick Nite spoon, or other popular Shad lure.  I have removed both hooks, but last year I left one on in case a late Springer got interested.  When trying that, I used a light steelhead rod to give me a better chance at the Springer.  But mostly I just use a bass or kokanee rod.