ODFW predicts huge Sand Shad run

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:28 pm Post subject: ODFW predicts huge Sand Shad run

Yup, it's true. All the dry creeks in the Owyhee system are going to be overflowing with the famous (fabled) sand shad.

Hope to see you on the water, starting Saturday May 10.

flapbreaker · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:25 am Post subject:

I'm familiar with shad but what's a sand shad?

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:38 am Post subject: The topic of Sand Shad

Flapbreaker,

I have to be truthful, there is no such creature. I was just trying to drum up some interest in the Owyhee trip.

On the topic of real shad, if you have not fished for American shad (the kind we really get in the west coast streams, you should go. They fight like a steelhead, especially on a fly rod, and they make some of the best crab and sturgeon bait going. Late May and into early June is the peak of the run. Anchor up in about 14 feet of water and then back bounce small lures like a Dick Knight. From the beach with a fly rod, you will want a fast sinking line with as fly that is tied with the hook turned up. Bead eyes and a bit of weight help, too.

I hope that you folks are surviving the weather. I came back from Rockaway on US 26 yesterday, and it was black ice most of the way. I get nervous when I see ice buildup on my mirrors, antenna, and car body.

Steve

CW · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject:

While at the SBSCBGT I mentionted the Owyhee Reservoir trip. It is absolutely beautiful country. I took my family truck camping there a few years ago during our Spring Break (1st week in April). It was chilly and frosty at times - though probably better than it would be there in July or August. The long gravel road was entirely passable and the red rock cliffs towered up on each side as we descended down to the water. We camped up above next to a creek. The golden eagle pair were doing their mating rituals, crasping talons and tumbling end over end for hundreds of feet as they fell, only to release at the last death defying minute. Over and over again they did this, screaming their pride in the falling light. We also saw wild horses, mule deer and also heard of Rocky Mtn. Bighorn sheep (but didn't see them). The Owyhee looked like the pics of Lake Powell, but more remote and less crowded. May should be an absolutely IDEAL time to go and I'm seriously considering doing it. If you want some striking scenery that is totally different and exotic compared to anything east or west of the Cascades Washington has, want to catch panfish and have fun, this is the place. It is a long drive but something you won't ever forget. C.W.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:29 am Post subject: Owyhee Links

CW,

The link below is to Mountain Visions, and has some absolutely stunning photography. Once you bring up an image, you can click on it and then move your mouse or touch pad to get a 360 view. It is pretty wild to be standing at the top of the cliff (in the photo) and see everything spin below you. Needless to say the scenery/geology is fantastic.

http://www.mountainvisions.com/QTVR/IdaQTVR/SWIdaho/OwyhQTVR.html

Here's a link to Leslie Gulch which is about 2/3 of the way down the reservoir on the east side.

http://www.phlumf.com/photos/leslie/

Here's another that has more landscape photos of the general area.

http://www.strengthinperspective.com/mpfindor/mpgal17/mpgal17.html

Plus one for the resort.

http://www.lakeowyheeresort.com/