Western Sport Shop: Events: Clinics: Shad

On the Water Shad Clinic
With Carlo Bongio

Shad Fly Fishing Clinics typically run May through late June, depending on conditions.

The anadromous American Shad is a fly fisher's dream. When hooked, shad's aerial displays are reminiscent of a tarpon or steelhead's flight. The shad runs as powerfully as a salmon, and shows a tremendous amount of endurance. Shad hit flies with reckless abandon and attack with such shuddering strikes that you may find them arm-numbing. This day-long clinic will give you the tools you need to effectively pursue and catch this most challenging and exciting of gamefish on a fly rod.

What Is Covered in this Clinic:
Wading Techniques
Fly Selection
Reading the Water for Best Results
Casting & Fishing Shooting Heads
Presentation Techniques for Shad (which work well for steelhead too!)
*Plus - Russian River Hot Spots

General Information & Fees:
Clinic Meets at the Santa Rosa Western Sport Shop - 2790 Santa Rosa Ave.
Limited to 8 attendees.
Reservations required.

Clinic Fees: $125/person

Please note: This clinic requires wading to be most effective. Attendees should have mastered basic casting techniques & be familiar with basic fly fishing equipment. For more information, please contact Carlo Bongio at the Santa Rosa store (707) 542-4432 or San Rafael store (415) 456-5454.

Signup Information:
To sign up for this clinic, you can call either store to sign up by phone, obtain a downloadable signup form by clicking here

Download Shad Clinic Signup Form
(Requires FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available at http://www.adobe.com)

Email signups can be sent to:
Classes@WesternSportShop.com
(please specify the location, date and clinic if using this method. Be sure to include your credit card to reserve a spot. If you do not wish to give complete credit card information, leave out the last four digits and expiration date. We will confirm that information with you after we receive your email.) You can also mail the downloadable signup form or phone in your reservation directly to either store.

Equipment List

Required: Valid California Fishing License (available at stores)
8 weight fly rod with fighting butt. (6 or 7 weight rod acceptable).
Disk-drag reel set up with a shooting head system. (enough capacity for approximately 150-200 yards of backing, plus 200â running line & 30' head)
20-30# Backing Running line
Shooting heads with a sink rate of 2, 3 and 4.
Shad Flies in sizes 6 & 8 (chartruese, red, orange are most popular)
7 foot tapered leaders in 2x - 3x tippet size Waders (unless you want to "wet wade")
Wading staff
Polarized sunglasses
Hat Sunscreen
Food, drinks & necessary snacks

If you have any questions regarding equipment,
contact Carlo Bongio at the Santa Rosa store (707) 542-4432
or San Rafael store (415) 456-5454.

If you are interested in this clinic, but cannot attend this date, please email shad@westernsportshop.com, and we will let you know as more dates are set. Also - be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter to get the latest word on clinic dates and upcoming events.

Other "On The Water Clinics":
Putah Creek Nymph Clinic - Russian River Steelhead Clinic - Shad Clinic
Sage Casting Clinics - Sage Spey Casting Clinic

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