Shad fishing?

Allen im gonna throw a 7wt sinking line, maybe switch to a int. line later

7wt had a sinking tip on that helped get it down. I've also just used 7WF with a slip shot on my leader to help it sink.

The shad are in the bottom foot two feet of the river. Guys use strike indicators and floats, on the fly I can't seem to get a roll cast to work with a float yet. I've had success on the swing and workin the fly back in strips.... Strip, release, strip release.....
My rods all have weight forward floating line so I add the sinking leader to get it down.

what's Hwy 50 traffic eastbound like these days?

If you are really early you are fine. It's a mess from 6am till about 1030 pm.

Take 80 to Reno exit watt ave  for a quicker detour. Watt all the way to river.

Int line is best. I need to get one of those.

Int line is best. I need to get one of those.

So I got some 8wts with full depth bombing sink tip (25' of T14) or tropical floating ... either end of the spectrum.  I not opposed to buying a slower sink or an int line for it.  Any suggestions?

-Allen

I'd ask Tony or Scott. Those guys know a ton more than I do about fly fishing and lines. Still learning.

Thanks a lot for the detailed info Matt! It is just amazing that for any type of fishing, there are always some deep experts on this forum.

I never tried fly fishing before and there are so many new things for me, so I think I will stick with spinning rod for now. At Verona, people just hang two grubs on 1/32 jig heads on a leader with a 1-2 oz weight at the bottom, let the weight hit the bottom and tighten the line, will this work at American river, or should I use a bobber instead?

I am trying really hard to move my meetings away from next Friday and am not sure if I can do it. If I can, I will definitely join you guys on the hookup.

Thanks again!

It will work minus the weight on the AR. All you need to do is get the jig to where the shad are. They are in the bottom two feet of the water.
So on the AR with these flows that can be accomplished with a split shit about 12-16 inches up from your jig. A small split shot. If the small split shot isn't getting you down, add another.

And try scent if you aren't fly fishing. That stuff really works well.

And try scent if you aren't fly fishing. That stuff really works well.

And try scent if you ARE flyfishing TOO!

-Allen

Matt, coming home in a couple weeks. We should get together, I have a 4 month fishing itch that's bugging the crap out of me!

Is that where u been? Still deployed? Damn bro hit me up when u get back!

Yeah, can't seem to stay home. Should be home in a couple weeks and I'll have a few weeks off for R&R.

Cool. Hit me up.

Allen, i've used 8 before and they work fine, never a super fast sink rate line though unless in fast deep water, which it doesn't seem to be this year. If i fish out of the yak and not SUP my 2nd rod is gonna be a 6wt w/sinking on it, not sure what the sink rate is, got it 20+ years ago LOL!

ScottV or some other SAC fly guys would have a better knowledge of appropriate gear than me

looks like i finally have to get my drift anchor squared away this wknd