A guided day of Shad Fishing on the Lower Sacramento River

Our guided shad trips on the Sacramento River begin by meeting the guide at the Woodson Bridge Boat Launch in Corning.

Over the years, our guides have worked out an effective system to get you on the water during the most productive times of the day. Our guides guarantee at least eight or nine hours on the water. Guides meet at either 8:00 am to fish the morning and afternoon, or at 12:00 pm to fish the afternoon and evening. The shad fishing can be equally good in the morning and evening, so guides vary the meet times so that they are not fishing the same spots at the same times, working the most productive shad riffles and runs on a beat system so that everyone is successful.

We target Shad using jet boats to access various riffles in the Lower Sacramento River, south of Red Bluff. Our guides will generally either pull up to productive riffles and runs, where anglers wade the flat, easily-waded gravel, or anchor the boats above deeper runs that cannot be accessed from shore. Casting shooting-head and sink-tip setups with single or double-handed rods is the most effective technique, and once a school of fish is found, the action is often hot and heavy until your arms are sore.

Shad fishing can be hot and heavy at times. When the American Shad migrates upstream, they come by the thousands, and anglers that hit the runs at the right time, with the right guide, are in for some banner days of not just fishing, but plenty of catching, too.

Shad fishing is done primarily by swinging flies on sink-tip or full-sinking lines, similar to traditional steelhead style fishing. In fact steelheaders have come to love shad fishing because it’s the same style of fishing with a lot more action. And it’s a great way to fish the popular two-handed spey rods, which enable anglers to cover more water and hook more shad on the broad Lower Sacramento River.

All of the guided trips with The Fly Shop are fly fishing and catch-and-release only.

• Lunch is provided on all our full day trips. If you have any special dietary needs, you'll need to let us know in advance and, of course you are free to bring your own food, snacks, or beverages.
  
• It's usually best to purchase flies the guide recommends before you meet them in the morning, unless you’ve specifically arranged to have the guide meet you at The Fly Shop. Guides don't provide the tippet and flies for your trip, and have limited availability during the season to re-stock their own boxes. You can pick up whatever terminal tackle and flies you might need for the day on your way through Redding, or we can make arrangements ahead of time to make sure that you’ll have the whatever you need.
  
• Consider our "Package Deals" if you are just getting started in the sport. We'll match you up with the correct rod, reel, line, and all the flies, tippet, leaders, and terminal tackle you'll need for an extra $50 a day. The only things not included in that package are licenses or waders.
  
• The majority of our jet boat or drift boat trips are designed for one or two anglers sharing the guide and boat for the day. Although fishing more than 2 anglers to a guide is feasible on jet boat trips (up to a maximum of four anglers per boat), it may not be the best situation, especially for less experienced anglers. We recommend a maximum of 2 anglers per trip for most groups.
  
• Car shuttles are not necessary on jet boat trips for Shad. Your guides will arrange to leave your car in a secure location, where you will be able to pick it up at the end of the day.
  
• Every angler needs to have a current California fishing license, Delta Bay Enhancement Stamp, and Steelhead Report Card, all of which are mandatory for the fishing on the Lower Sacramento River below Anderson.
  
• Be sure to pack your camera!
  

To make a reservation, please give us a call at 800-669-3474 during business hours any day of the week. We can give you the answers you need or the detailed explanations to questions you might have, or check on guide availability and confirm your guide reservation in minutes.

If you prefer to correspond on-line simply e-mail us at info@adventuresinflyfishing.com and we will respond promptly.