FLY Of THE MONTH  AD or  Al's Dart   
        By Alex Barkume
This month's fly of the month is a pattern I call the AD or Al's Dart.   I developed this pattern to fish the Columbia's massive annual shad run.   With run sizes exceeding 3 million fish annually, a guy can have a lot of fun when these guys are running.  Al's Dart was designed to imitate one the more deadly shad lures used by conventional gear fisherman - the red and white shad dart.   The more successful shad fishermen cut the white bucktail off of the back end of the shad dart.  Interestingly enough, this improves the effectiveness of the lure.  It would seem that although shad enjoy some glitz, too much can result in fewer strikes.

The AD invokes the sparseness of the trimmed down shad dart along with the best color combination: red and white.   It has proven to be as deadly for me on the fly rod as the trimmed shad dart has been for the gear fisherman.  You'll find these easy to tie and by the way, that will come in handy as you'll need more than a few during the day's fishing.

Al's Dart (AD)
Originator:  Alex  Barkume

Hook:   Tiemco 9394 - size 6 (3X strong, 4XL, nickel plated ring eye)
Thread:   Florescent red/orange, 6/0 thread
Wing:  White Marabou Fibers
Eyes:  3/16" Real Eyes (brass hour glass with prismatic tape eyes)
Head:  Florescent red Edge-brite figure-eighted around the eyes.

1. Tie in a small clump of white marabou fibers about 3/8 of an inch behind the eye of the hook.   Make sure the marabou wing does not extend past the end of the hook (helps prevent short strikes).
2. Tie in one or two pieces of pearl crystal flash on each side of the wing - the same length as the marabou.
3. Tie in 1/8" wide strip of florescent red Edge-brite just in front of the wing.

4. Lash in the Real Eyes splitting the distance between the wing and the eye of the hook w/ many figure eight wraps.   Making several wraps behind and in front of the eyes helps hold it on top of the hook.
5. Cement or Super Glue the thread wraps and wait a half minute or so for the cement to penetrate and firm up.   This too will help hold the eyes on top of the hook, once the cement hardens
6. Wrap a figure eight w/ the red Edge-brite and tie off at the front.    .
7. Tie off a neat head and whip-finish.

The shad run has been exceptional large this year and the fishing has been correspondingly good.   Shad, like other anadromous fish, seem to ride up the softer water along the current edge.   The water is running high and fast this time of year (run-off) and I use about 5 feet of Deep Water Express shooting head which when coupled with the weighted eyes, allows the shad fly to swing along just above the bottom.   I use the standard wet fly swing and the shad typically hit just as the fly reaches the end of its arc.   Sometimes they just bump it a bit, but other times they will nearly rip the rod out of your hands. 

These oversized herring have a body like a giant crappie and are very good at using the current to their advantage.  Many times they jump which I always enjoy.   Henry Hoffman (of Hoffman Hackle fame) gave a recent talk to the chapter about shad fishing and mentioned that he always sets the hook hard.   Although people talk about their thin skin just behind their lips, Henry feels that many lost fish are a result of not getting good penetration into the bony lips themselves.   I tend to agree....  hit 'em hard, but then play them carefully.   These guys are fun on light tackle.   If you haven't tried it, tie up a dozen of these guys and head up to Bonneville, John Day or McNary Dams and give it a try.                      Alex