March 2026 Roanoke River Shad Report

I just got back from a week on the Roanoke River targeting Hickory Shad on fly and ultralight spin tackle with my clients.  I've been visiting the Roanoke River, where it flows through the town of Weldon near the NC/VA state line for close to 20 years.  The Striped Bass fishery has had its ups and downs over the years but the Hickory Shad fishery has continually been first rate.  This year was no different.

Last year I fished the Roanoke in May while it was at 5000cfs, one of the lowest I had ever seen.  This year, a new record was set for me, as far as lowest water fished on the Roanoke.  Most of my fishing was done at 2400cfs, except for the last day when it was brought up to 3300cfs.  Normally the river is flowing between 6,000-12,000cfs or higher.  With drought in the mountains of Virginia (where the Roanoke starts) and the Corps of Engineers holding back water for the reservoir lakes upstream, this was the most treacherous I've ever fished the Roanoke.

Normally, you have a cushion of 6-20ft of water under you each spring.  This year, I found myself idling with 2-4ft of water in most places and occasionally finding a 10ft deep hole.  Rocks were everywhere just under the surface, for the first mile heading downstream from the ramp.  Let's just say a lot of zigging, zagging and praying was going on.  Fortunately, the East Cape and Suzuki made it through the week unscathed by the subsurface rocks.

There were plenty of fish in the normal places, and quite a few more downriver, with the low flow.  Once thing I noticed this year, was that there were a lot more fish in the center of the river, again, likely a product of the low water.  With the water extremely clear (the only time I've ever seen the bottom of the Roanoke) the best bites were early and late, although we caught fish steadily throughout the entire day.

Plenty of other boats joined in, from poling skiffs, to aluminum river boats, to trout stream drift boats, and even canoes.

Shad are one of those fish that are easy to catch, but still extremely fun and rewarding.  The perfect fish for kids, for new anglers, for beginner fly fishers, and for old-timers who still know how to have a good time!

Everyone had a good time!  

Everyone stayed busy on these shad trips, a sure sign of a very healthy fishery.

The all important "tripled up" shot.

Last year, we caught a couple of these invasive Alabama Bass.  This year we averaged 5-10 per half day trip.  I've heard these fish are making short work of the Largemouth Bass population, displacing them right out of their own habitat.  

Always good to have clients come back for multiple years on the Roanoke.  

Lamprey! One out of every ten shad have a red mark on them, from where a Lamprey was once attached.  Most of the Lampreys drop off before the fish make it all the way to Weldon, but some stick it out and make it the whole way.

Not a shad!  Doubled up on a shad trip, in a shad hole, on a shad fly, with a baby Striped Bass and an Alabama Bass.

Even with the dodging of the rocks, I had a fantastic time chasing these little silver bullets on 4wts and ultralights.  They are a sure sign that spring is here and what a fun way to kick off the season!  I can't wait to get back next year.  Enjoy!

If you missed out on shad this March, I hope you'll consider giving it a go in 2027!  Thanks.