Shad 2021 Update

The temperatures have begun to drop and it is almost starting to feel like winter in eastern North Carolina. Our 2020 Largemouth season is drawing to a close and we are beginning to prepare for our busiest time of the year, Shad season. Every year starting in February eastern North Carolina's coastal river systems begin to fill up with two main sea-run Shad species making their annual spawning run. These fish are great fighters and are generally in large numbers. The team has spent years dialing in the best techniques and locations to target these fish with a fly rod. Our season runs from February into April depending on the year's water conditions.

We've expanded our Shad program grately for 2021 with the help of the new additions to our team. This season we will be offering both float and power boat trips to target American & Hickory Shad. Both our power boat and float trips will also include the option of a home made shore lunch. We spent a lot of time this summer playing with different recipes and have come up with a really fun menu that is sure to keep you going through a full day of catching shad. As with all our trips this summer we will continue to provide fresh, local HopFly Brewing Co. craft beers. Our friends at HopFly are located right on the banks of the Tar River and brew a number of different styles of beer such as IPA's, Lagers, Stouts, and a whole lot more.

For folks looking to really dive into the experience we have two new offerings this year. The first, a full day two Shad river "hop". For this trip we take you to catch Shad on the Tar & Roanoke rivers in the same day. We begin the day targeting American Shad on the Tar River and then around lunch we pull the boat out, grab some lunch, and head to the Roanoke River to target Hickory Shad. It's a truly unique experience to explore two of eastern North Carolina's best fisheries in the same day.

If you're looking to make a weekend out of the Shad fishing experience in eastern North Carolina, this year we are offering a multi-day Shad fishing option. For this trip we will spend two days on two different rivers targeting American & Hickory Shad. Each day includes a unique shore lunch and a full day of fishing. We provide lodging in the Rocky Mount Mills Tiny Homes and Guest House. These are top notch accommodations with multiple restaurants and breweries right across the street. Our guide team will work with you to plan out which sections you will fish during your stay based on what style of fishing you are looking to do. Given the proximal area of Rocky Mount as a base for our multi-day trips, all four major rivers will be in play.

Shad season is one of our most productive times of year and it is a great time to introduce someone to fly fishing or to pick up a new technique yourself. Our guide staff is profecient in a number of techniques for these fish that translate to a number of different fisheries around the world. Whether it's swinging flies with a spey rod, becoming proficient using sinking lines, or just learning to fly fish, our guides are patient and knowledgeable instructors that are dedicated to helping you become a better angler.

We have already started to book up Shad dates for 2021 and we are expecting another busy season. Bookings begin Febuary 15th and go through April 15th (depending on the water next year we may extend the season past April 15th but we won't know until then). We also have gift cards now availible that are great gift for the angler looking to get after some Shad this spring. You can purchase a gift card here.

We are really looking forward to another great Shad season! Shoot us an email at team@tarriverco.com to start getting your trip planned.