{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} FFC Shad Report #4

Low flow is making it tough at Fletcher's Cove; also, a magical fly rod...

https://mailchi.mp/ff9295488b1f/date-shad-report-12773338

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{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} 5th Annual Bluegill Tournament — June 5–7, 2026 (t-shirt included!)

Fellow Rodders,

It's back. The 5th Annual TPFR Bluegill Tournament kicks off at 7:00 a.m. Friday, June 5th and runs through end of day Sunday, June 7th. Grab your 3-weight, find your favorite sunfish honey hole in VA, MD, or DC, and let's see what's swimming.

Four categories, four chances to win:
• Largest • Smallest • Prettiest • Most Caught

Winners announced at the June 8th Beer Tie Meeting.

And yes — every registration comes with this year's tournament t-shirt (art attached). Wear it proudly, ESPECIALLY if your biggest fish of the weekend is a sub 3-incher.

How to enter:

1. Register via the sign-up form (don't forget to pick your t-shirt size): https://forms.gle/BKNdBWZrpVcQNYWm7
   • $30 for 16+
   • $10 for ages 13–16
   • Free for under 13 (parent/guardian must register)

2. Pay your registration fee via the Venmo QR code (attached in the "2026 Bluegill Tournament .docx or venmo username is in the sign up sheet). Please include "Bluegill 2026 + your name" in the Venmo note so we can match your payment to your registration. If you don't have Venmo, payment can be made to (me) Misha in cash at the May 11th Beer Tie. 

3. Download the Official TPFR Bluegill Ruler (with the taped-on penny) and tournament rules attached or from the event page: https://www.tpfr.org/bluegill-tournament

4. Fish hard. Take pictures of your Largest, Smallest, and/or Prettiest next to the official ruler — photos without the ruler don't count. Most Caught runs on the honor system, so no photo needed there.

5. Email your submissions by 9:00 a.m. Monday, June 8th to bluegill.contact@tpfr.org

A couple of reminders:
• The ruler on the event webpage and attached is the official ruler. Print it, tape the penny on, and include it in every photo of your Largest, Smallest, and Prettiest entries.
• Read the rules that come with the ruler before you head out.

Most importantly: have fun out there.

Tight lines,

 

Michael "Misha" Gill

My LinkedIn Profile

District Fly Fishing Instagram

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{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Shad Tips

Hi Paul -

Most people use a full sink line for shad as it can be difficult to get the flies down to the fish with poly leader sink tips or intermediate line. 

I've always found catching shad is mostly dependent on getting the fly to the proper depth more than anything else, so I would recommend a full sink/30 ft sink tip if you can get access to one.

You may be able to solve that with a poly leader/intermediate by adding weight but my guess is that it will be challenging to get flies deep enough. I'll let other folks chime in as well though.

Good luck!

Brian

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 4:09:07 PM UTC-4 Paul V wrote:

Thanks to those of you who've given me a few tips when I asked a couple of months ago--I have a couple more if you'll indulge me. I'll be renting a boat out of Fletcher's either Wednesday or Thursday next week to fish for Shad. I assume I would just anchor somewhere so that I can easily reach toward the middle? Can I get by with my 6wt and 10 ft. sink tips, or should I bring my intermediate sinking line? I have a fair amount of shad flies--mostly weighted--that I use on the Columbia. Anything else I might be neglecting to consider? 

Thanks! 

Paul

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{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Shad Tips

Thanks to those of you who've given me a few tips when I asked a couple of months ago--I have a couple more if you'll indulge me. I'll be renting a boat out of Fletcher's either Wednesday or Thursday next week to fish for Shad. I assume I would just anchor somewhere so that I can easily reach toward the middle? Can I get by with my 6wt and 10 ft. sink tips, or should I bring my intermediate sinking line? I have a fair amount of shad flies--mostly weighted--that I use on the Columbia. Anything else I might be neglecting to consider? 

Thanks! 

Paul

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