I’m impotently holding the handle in one hand, recently unscrewed off the reel as I wasn’t paying attention – some fish is headed south with purpose, and the newly “crankless” reel is spinning merrily while attached to the rod.

Being a grizzled Old Timer whose youth was spent with a rotary phone, I stabbed a forefinger into the largest hole and started cranking…

A cell phone user would’ve been helpless…

My attraction for the old Scientific Anglers (Hardy) System reels is well known; loud, largely indestructible, no finish to wear as half the reel is anodized aluminum – and they command a cheaper price than all the other old Hardy click-pawl reels.

… and has large enough ventilation holes to forefinger a Shad …

While I’ve admired owning some of the newer reels – their large arbor housing always seems sharp and thin – capable of slicing cheese if you’re on a picnic – not something I’d want to stuff a forefinger into with a hot fish on the other end.

… yes, I am shamefully biased, and make no apology.

American River shad are explosive compared to their Sacramento River cousin – most notable is the fight isn’t for deeper water, it’s more of a line peeling, surface battle – with a slab of mint bright silver heading every direction but yours…

The fish can swim in any direction regardless of their attitude, and is more apt to jump or roil the surface than bulldog for the deep water. As the above fish demonstrates, it’s the only freshwater fish capable of “moonwalking” at terminal velocity, absent the White Glove, naturally.

The “Shad Shower” is a constant; they get close – and you get wet. It’s a welcome spray of water once the sun’s out, and if the fishing is fast and furious you’ll be showered accordingly.

Both Sunday and Monday mornings found me chest deep in the river, I took Wannabe.Travelwriter along on the promise of “they might be there” – they were – but not in large numbers. I’d hit passing schools for 2 or 3 fish each, while watching Travelwriter curse aging rubber chest waders, whose crotch seam chose to burst in the pre-dawn chill.

Naturally I offered to take him to breakfast in a public setting, which was summarily rejected. He did a fair job of feigned disappointment – whilst lounging on the riverbank keeping the iced beverages from overheating. 6 or 7 fish later he was anxious to get all wet again…

If it weren’t for the American Shad we might have an accent, and you’d be on better terms with Blood Pudding and her Majesty the Queen. Alossa Sapidissma is the Latin, “Sapidissma” means “delicious” – and apparently salted Shad was the last remaining foodstuffs sustaining the colonial army at Valley Forge.

I’ve tried them smoked, and it’s a big sardine. I’m thinking those frostbitten colonial tastebuds would’ve given microwaved shoe leather a four star rating, higher if feet were still occupying the uppers…

The party appears to be starting in earnest – so the next couple of weeks should bring large numbers and an equitable distribution throughout the watershed – spreading those chasing them over a mighty large area.

I’ll be the vocal fellow cursing a screwdriver, feel free to crowd me.