In fishing for shad, know the river

• Few fishing opportunities in the Hudson Valley are as exciting as the annual Delaware River shad run.
• Migrating shad are now making their spawning run up the Delaware, averaging six to seven pounds. I've received reports that shad are at Barryville in greater numbers than ever. Local guides are reporting excellent fishing action all along the Delaware, from Port Jervis to Barryville.
• The American shad is a saltwater fish that migrates to freshwater from about May through June. Whether you use a spinning or fly rod, there's nothing better than landing a six-pound shad.
• The best times for fishing shad are in the early morning or evening. Since shad migrate upriver during the night, your best bet is during the first few hours of morning light. Cloudy or rainy days also seem to get shad in the migrating mood.
• Shad do not favor fast water, so you'll find them schooling in pools and quiet eddies. Be prepared to move with the fish. You may find good numbers of shad in an area one day and none the next.
• Experienced shad anglers wouldn't be without their traditional shad darts, especially a red-headed shad dart with a white body. I prefer shad darts in sizes between one-eighth and one-quarter ounce – the lighter the better. If I need to get my smaller darts deeper, I'll add spit shot weight.
• Bring a wide selection of shad darts in both size and color. You'll find that by changing size and color frequently, you'll get the most productive pattern for the moment.
• In order to get to your daily limit of six shad, I recommend purchasing a set of Delaware River maps. Boater or not, you'll need to locate access points on both sides of the Delaware and understand river depths and other river characteristics.
• The Delaware River Basin Commission offers a set of maps that covers the 200-mile, non-tidal reach of the river from Hancock to Trenton, N.J. The 10-map series depicts river channel locations and depths, stream miles and reference points, and provides a detailed classification of stream-flow characteristics in accordance with the International Canoe Federation's Scale of River Difficulty – a valuable tool for canoeists and other boaters.
• An updated and detailed list of river access areas in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania also is provided, offering information on the availability of parking areas, boat ramps, sanitary facilities and trash receptacles. A pamphlet on canoe safety rounds out the package.
• To obtain a package, send a $10 check or money order (made out to the Delaware River Basin Commission) to the commission at P.O. box 7360, West Trenton, N.J. 08628.
• David Dirks' outdoors column appears Tuesday in the Times Herald-Record. Write to him at P.O. Box 87, Westtown 10998, or by e-mail at dirksoutdoors@hotmail.com.