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"SHAD HARVEST 1905"
Digital image
donated from the Barbara Powers
SHAD AND HERRING: the Susquehanna River fishing along Port Deposit is a
traditional hotspot, along with Deer Creek . Keep a look-out for as the
old-timers say, "When dogwoods bloom, the shad will boom."
Shad fishing is just catch-and-release now but it's still great sport. Use
double-rigged shad darts of one-eighth to one-quarter ounce on light tackle.
Just swish the darts around rocks in swift-moving water or hang them in the
current and wait for a bite. IA reminder that the Susquehanna can be a fast
rising river so if your in chest waders, wade carefully as the fast water
can be treacherous. Herring are along with the shad, you'll see many locals
catching them with dip nets from the bank.
American Shad
Alosa sapidissima (A.K.A. White shad, Common shad, Atlantic shad).
As far as local records are concerned,
Tom Loving,
fishing in the Susquehanna River, took the first "white" shad by fly-rod in 1930
He was an expert fisherman who developed some of the first shad fly patterns.
• ROCKFISH: April 17 starts the Spring trophy
season on Maryland waters. Point anglers may then keep one fish a day.
Catch-and-release early on Susquehanna Flats around Port Deposit, where big
rockfish congregate to spawn, around March. When the shallow water begin to get
warmer they'll start biting. Old-Timers fish with fly rod or light tackle as
soon as the weather warms.
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