I KNOW this is a lake forum, and mike, if you want me not to request info on rivers anymore i will COMPLETELY understand.
My grandpa and I have been planning on shad fishing for awhile now. We'd love to hook into some 5 lb shad and reel at least a few in. If any of you guys know any good spots or even where your friends fish or whatever, any info would be great. Any info on shad would be awesome... I already have the WDFW pamphlet and would love to hear some other anglers testimonys as well.

Hey you can post any kind of fishing question - you never know who may be reading that has your answer. Regarding shad - I don't have your answer. Never fished for them, would like to sometime though. Maybe try the Piscatorial forum and see if anyone has help for you over there.
Good luck!

I'm no shad expert, but if you don't have a boat one of the better spots to try from the bank is below Bonneville Dam. Fish the edges of the current slicks. June is the good month,you can check the dam fish counts on the web to get an idea of how many around. Flyfishing them with bright colorfull (red,orange and yellow good) flies is a real blast.Bonefish Charlies work good. Other lures used are beaded spinners with small blades and spinner flys with bright dressings. Wish I lived closer,I'd fish them more.

off a boat: 3-way swivel, 3-ft dropper to a 3-4 oz pyramid sinker, and 4-ft leader with wee dick nite. backbounce rig until it settles then stick rod in a holder. shad will hook themselves. a good trick is to change out the stock siwash with a gammy, but rig it pointing concave side down. this way most of the fish will be hooked solid in the lower jaw. you'll land more fish because the current rips in most spots and you'll be doing a little horsing...

off the bank: 1/16 oz shad dart, 4-ft leader, barrel swivel, 5-mm bead, 1/2 oz egg sinker. cast out and retrieve in slowly. i recommend a long limber rod like a loomis 1141s or 1083s. you'll feel more strikes and land more fish because it'll help prevent the hook from ripping their soft mouths..

I've enjoyed excellent shad fishing immediately below the John Day dam fish ladder. Use a plain 1/8 oz. round lead-head crappie jig with a gold wire hook. Add a split shot if needed for casting distance. Cast slightly upstream and allow to drift. They'll hit it like a freight train. Best time usually falls around Father's Day or the preceeding week. Keep an eye on the fish counts, they usually peak about that time. A wonderful light tackle fishery. Brace yourself for plenty of company.