01-06-2018, 01:25 PM
[#0000FF]Glad you have had some success. A lot more to look forward to.
I think you are going too heavy for the shad. I used to catch large numbers using a "bubble-chucker" rod with a water-filled plastic bubble and an 1/8 oz. white jig. The rod was a 7-8 weight flyrod I rebuilt into a spinning rod. I would run the 6# line through a water filled plastic bubble, tie on a swivel as a stopper and then a 5-6 foot length of leader. The white 1/8 oz. jig was no more than an inch and a half long.
I looked for long deep runs...like below Nimbus Dam or downstream in other spots. I would cast upstream, allow the bubble to sink briefly and then start reeling fast enough to keep up with the flow and keep the jig up out of the rocks.
another good way to fish them is with a dropshot fly rig...with a couple of split shot on the bottom and a dropper fly about 18 inches up...about a six inch dropper. I used a variety of small flies...white, chartreuse, hot red, orange, etc. It pays to have a variety and keep changing until you find what they want. They can change with light levels, water clarity and flow, etc. Again, cast upstream and reel fast enough to keep a tight line and bottom bounce downstream.
The lakes in the Sierras can be tough. But use light tackle (4# line) and small flies...with a bubble. Early and late in the day you can fish the flies on top, with the bubble empty or only partly full. During the day you may need to let it sink a ways and retrieve at some depth below the surface.
Small dark patterns work well...size 14-18. Patterns with peacock are great. But almost any fly will work when the fish are active and working the surface. Small spinners or spoons will sometimes work too. And if you get desperate, soak a worm on the bottom. Brookies love them.
Good luck and have fun. It takes a while to sample all of the fishing options within a short drive of Sacramento.
[/#0000FF]
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I think you are going too heavy for the shad. I used to catch large numbers using a "bubble-chucker" rod with a water-filled plastic bubble and an 1/8 oz. white jig. The rod was a 7-8 weight flyrod I rebuilt into a spinning rod. I would run the 6# line through a water filled plastic bubble, tie on a swivel as a stopper and then a 5-6 foot length of leader. The white 1/8 oz. jig was no more than an inch and a half long.
I looked for long deep runs...like below Nimbus Dam or downstream in other spots. I would cast upstream, allow the bubble to sink briefly and then start reeling fast enough to keep up with the flow and keep the jig up out of the rocks.
another good way to fish them is with a dropshot fly rig...with a couple of split shot on the bottom and a dropper fly about 18 inches up...about a six inch dropper. I used a variety of small flies...white, chartreuse, hot red, orange, etc. It pays to have a variety and keep changing until you find what they want. They can change with light levels, water clarity and flow, etc. Again, cast upstream and reel fast enough to keep a tight line and bottom bounce downstream.
The lakes in the Sierras can be tough. But use light tackle (4# line) and small flies...with a bubble. Early and late in the day you can fish the flies on top, with the bubble empty or only partly full. During the day you may need to let it sink a ways and retrieve at some depth below the surface.
Small dark patterns work well...size 14-18. Patterns with peacock are great. But almost any fly will work when the fish are active and working the surface. Small spinners or spoons will sometimes work too. And if you get desperate, soak a worm on the bottom. Brookies love them.
Good luck and have fun. It takes a while to sample all of the fishing options within a short drive of Sacramento.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]