Scheduled for June 12, 2004
Fishing the mighty Columbia River at the John Day Dam
Host -- Scott Davis (541) 922-9476
 #4 Red Headed Shad Dart (Chartruse is also a good head color) |
 #4 Goldshad - bare hook |
John Dam Dam - John Day Dam is located at the head of Lake Celilo. The dam crosses the river near Rufus, Oregon, about 25 miles upstream from The Dalles, just below the mouth of the John Day River. To get to John Day Dam take exit 109 from Interstate 84. Follow sign directions to Giles French Park and follow road to the east end of Giles French Park- parking lot. Shad fishing is best between the east end of Park and face of dam, and your cast need not be more than 30-40 feet off the rocks.
To fish for shad "the poor man's Tarpon" in the Columbia River you should be equip with a good 5 weight fly rod and sinktip line type 3-5. Depending on the lighting of the day shad will strike a shad dart or a bare shiny hook very well from daybreak to 10:00 am. Some mornings between Memorial Day and Father's Day a fly fisher can wear out their arm on hooking over 100 shad in the 2 to 5 pound class range. That's in the current of the mighty Columbia.
Please click on these links - Fly fishing for Shad on the Columbia River and Fishing for Shad below John Day Dam - for more shad fishing information.
The Giles French Park Campground has drinking water (after freeze danger), and hot water available in restrooms.
Suggestion: Wear good rock climbing boots. No need for waders when fishing shad at the face of the dam.
*Refer to Fishing in Oregon 9th Edition author: Madelynne Diness Sheehan - page 342; or this link for more details of fishing shad in Lake Celilo.
See Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Regulations for details.
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Last Update: April 2004