Shad Flies and Some Experiments

I have been thinking about flies for Shad fishing in the last few days. The main flies I have been using for the last couple of years have been an ultra simple thing with heavy lead eyes in a bunch of different colours. Quick and easy to tie it sinks like a stone and catches a few fish. The problem is that it isn't really a great fly.

When fish are the least bit selective, I'm just out there practising my casting.

So here is what I've been doing. I've been thinking back to the basic flies and colours I've used over the years and am tying a few variations of each style to see how much difference the separate pieces make. The idea is to still have a simple quick to tie fly but one that actually works a bit better than what I've settled on over the last few seasons.

Here is an example of a simple red and white fly version of a shad dart. Some with buck tail, some with crystal flash, some with lead wire, some with bead eyes, and so on. All variations of the same fly.

I'm still going to keep it simple, using a basic pattern with different colours, weights and tails. I've got another week or two before the run hits to get a bunch tied but it should be an interesting season.

Shad Flies

Here is a peek at what I am carrying in my Shad fly box this year.






-
-
My first shad of the year I caught on this green one. I got it from Larry at Fishin’ Fever the other day. I like to go in and see what the latest patterns are and then, once I know what is working, I’ll tie a handful of variations. The truth is; if you are not hanging a few on the bottom, you are not fishing in the right zone. So, it is a costly business if you don’t tie your own.





Here is my go to fly for when nothing else seems to be working. It is a Crazy Charlie; I think that is what it’s called. Most Bonefish patterns will work amazingly well for Shad. It is probably the hook facing up design that allows one to fish it with better technique as much as any other design element.




These are the flies that were most successful over the last few years. Like most anadromous fish, each generation of returns seems to have a definite colour preference when it comes to taking flies. Variations of green and white seem to be most successful but one year red was by far the most preferred with orange a close second.



My first cast of the season I will always go with a white body, green head or a totally green. If that doesn’t seem to be working I’ll keep changing, working through from red to orange and then pink, pure white and so on.

The main secret to catching fish seems to be going fishing. Everything else is subject to change.

Tying a Simple Shad Fly

A simple Shad Fly is quick and easy to tie.
I usually make them as I need them.

The ingredients are:

• A number 8, 10 or 12 hook -I used a down eye Mustad wet nymph hook (3399) for this one because it is what I had on hand. A straight-eyed, streamer hook is better.
• Tying thread: Black Uni-thread 6.0
• Body: 4 inches of French tinsel for ribbing, 6 inches of Uni-yarn 2x Fluorescent - orange, Chartreuse or Chinese Red. Other colours work but these are my favourites.
• Lead eyes or beaded chain eyes. I like the lead eyes early for high water but go to bead eyes when the water lowers and slows. Bead is much easier to cast than lead.

Place the hook in your vise and attach the thread just above the point.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Attach the uni-yarn, leaving a tail as long as the hook-gap is wide.

Attach the tinsel ribbing

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Wind the tying thread forward and using a figure-eight wind, attach the lead eye well back from the eye of the hook. Leave lots of room to tie off materials and form the head.

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Wind the uni-yarn forward forming the body and cover the eye attachment area ending just in front of the lead eyes. Tie the uni-yarn off here with a half-hitch. Let the bobbin dangle and wind the tinsel ribbing on - four or five wraps will do it. This is for you and other fishermen, not the fish. You don't want your hand tied fly to look too easy or everyone will give up golf and take up fishing.
-
-
-
-

Bring the ribbing in a figure eight around the eyes. Tie off uni-yarn and ribbing forming a small head with the tying thread. Whip finish and place a drop of head cement on the final knot.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Put a tiny drop of head cement on the "X" where the thread and tinsel cross the lead eyes for a bit more durability. This will also hold the eyes from twisting on the shaft and altering the hook-up drift.

That is all there is to it. It takes longer to read this than do it.