As the weather cools in central Florida, anglers eagerly await the arrival of schools of a certain silvery fish that eats flies, fights hard, and often jumps clear of the water when trying to escape. No, it’s not tarpon. Those won’t show up for another few months. The fish I’m referring to is the American shad.
If you hit the run right, these fish are incredibly abundant, easy to locate, and often very easy to catch. All you need is a 5 weight fly rod, a handful of flies, and a way to get out on the water.