Excellent numbers of shad are on tap for Sacramento River anglers in the stretch of water from Woodson Bridge to the Red Bluff Diversion Dam, reported local guide Kevin Brock. "The shad are really stacked up right at Woodson Bridge", observed Brock. "You could even go just a little way below Woodson Bridge with a prop boat and catch a bunch of shad. The fish are mixed sizes, with some larger females up to four pounds."

Brock tipped, "When the water is up and green like it is right now, the best lure color is a red head with a chartreuse/silver flake tail."

The higher water has also brought some nice striped bass into the vicinity of Scotty's, according to Richard Peeples at the Tackle Box in Chico. "The high water has brought the stripers back up. Some better stripers up to 15 pounds have been caught the last few days right out of Scotty's on anchovies and trolled Rebels."

Sacramento River Shad Derby

There's still time to enter the Sacramento River Shad Derby, taking place on Saturday [June 13] at Scotty's Landing on the Sacramento River. Final weigh-in will be at 3:00 PM, and late sign-ups on Saturday morning will be taken at Scotty's starting at 8:00 AM.

Prizes will be awarded in several categories, including catch-and-release, ladies and juniors. Entry fee is $30, which includes a T-shirt and tri-tip dinner. For more information, call 521-1032.