On my weekday off I decided to forgo salt water and check out the shad fishing
in Chicopee, MA. Things are really hopping on the Chicopee River from the end of
Granby Road in Chicopee to the mouth. Had about 12 fish in an hour, and another
6 or so in the next two before it died down a bit. In the afternoon, I had 8 more.
The river's running moderately
high so, unless you're using super kerboom sinking fly line, spinning tackle
with 16th (or even 32nd) ounce shad darts and split shot is the best bet. Also,
there's a lot of winter tree damage at Granby Road pool that has wiped out the
shoreline so wearing waders is best.
Guys were nailing one on each cast from shore at the Chicopee mouth, but this
spot has room for about 5 people max and it's too deep to wade. If you want to fish
this area, get there at the crack of dawn.
As for the Connecticut below the Holyoke dam, the river is still running pretty
high, but should drop rapidly in the next few days. Shad are there but only fishable
in slow water pockets that you can get to (and there's limited shoreline until
the water level drops). I didn't bother with this as the Chicopee was
fine action and there will be time for the Connecticut later.
-bd