Fly Fishing Shad
Season 5 Episode 15 | 26m 8sVideo has Closed Captions
Traveling to the Roanoke River to fly fish for Hickory Shad.
This week on Carolina Outdoor Journal, we travel to the Roanoke River to fly fish for Hickory Shad. On Gear Time, our anglers discuss the flies and tackle needed to catch shad. Join Donna Reynolds in the kitchen as she serves up a tasty fried oyster recipe.
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Carolina Outdoor Journal is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
Fly Fishing Shad
Season 5 Episode 15 | 26m 8sVideo has Closed Captions
This week on Carolina Outdoor Journal, we travel to the Roanoke River to fly fish for Hickory Shad. On Gear Time, our anglers discuss the flies and tackle needed to catch shad. Join Donna Reynolds in the kitchen as she serves up a tasty fried oyster recipe.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[PIANO INTRO] - GOT A NICE ONE HERE.
- EXCELLENT.
WE'RE GONNA PUT THE NET ON IT.
- OKAY.
- GONNA CLEAR THE LINE.
- IT'S ROLLING OVER HERE.
- ALL YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS THE ANCHOR LINE.
- OKAY.
- GO TO THE LEFT.
THERE YOU GO.
GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY.
DOING GOOD, NOW GO THAT WAY, REAL HARD TO THE RIGHT.
GET HIM OUT OF THAT ANCHOR LINE.
- AND RIGHT INTO THE FLY LINE.
- WE'LL GET IT.
THE FLY LINE'S BETTER THAN THE ANCHOR LINE.
AWESOME.
GOT HIM.
- THERE WE GO.
- YES.
YOU JUST DID A FLY CHANGE.
- YEAH.
- YOU JUST GOT TO KEEP CHANGING UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT.
- THAT'S ALL IT NEEDED.
- [MALE ANNOUNCER]: THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: - [FEMALE ANNOUNCER]: "WILDLIFE IN NORTH CAROLINA" MAGAZINE HAS BEEN DELIVERING STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY AND INFORMATIVE ARTICLES FOR MORE THAN 80 YEARS.
- [MALE ANNOUNCER]: AND BY EZ BAIT & TACKLE.
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.
WE FISH FROM FRESH TO SALTWATER.
WE PROVIDE FISHING SUPPLIES AND ADVICE TO EVERY TYPE OF ANGLER.
FOR ALL YOUR FISHING NEEDS, EZ BAIT & TACKLE.
- AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PBS NORTH CAROLINA VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
[LIGHT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ ♪ ♪ - HELLO, AND WELCOME TO THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
WELL, TODAY'S PROGRAM WILL TAKE US UP ON THE ROANOKE RIVER, AND, JOE, WE'RE GONNA BE FISHING FOR SHAD USING FLY RODS.
- THAT'S RIGHT, YEAH.
WE'VE COVERED CATCHING HICKORY SHAD, AND WHITE SHAD IN ALL OF OUR RIVERS, AND NORMALLY WE'RE USING A LIGHT SPINNING GEAR 'CAUSE THAT'S REALLY A LOT OF FUN, BUT TODAY, WE'RE GONNA TARGET THE HICKORY SHAD AT WELDON, THAT'S THE UPPER REACHES OF THE ROANOKE, USING FLY RODS.
- AND WHEN WE DO GEAR TIME, ANY TIME YOU FISH WITH THE FLY ROD, IT JUST MAKES FOR INTERESTING CONVERSATION.
- YEAH.
WE'LL GO BACK, AND OUR FISHERMAN TODAY WILL EXPLAIN HOW THEY RIGGED UP FOR WHAT THEY USED, AND THE FLIES THAT THEY USED THAT CAUGHT THE FISH, AND THEY'LL GO OVER THAT WITH THEM.
- AND OUR RECIPE TODAY, ONE OF MY FAVORITES, HAVE TO DO WITH OYSTERS.
- VERY TASTY OYSTER RECIPE FROM DONNA TODAY, SO TUNE IN.
- LET'S HEAD ON UP TO WELDON TODAY, ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
- TARA, WE'RE HERE ON THE ROANOKE RIVER IN WELDON, NORTH CAROLINA.
IT'S MARCH TIME, AND THAT MEANS THE SHAD ARE RUNNING, AND TODAY, WE'RE GONNA TRY TO CATCH THESE SHAD WITH FLIES.
- I'VE NEVER CAUGHT A SHAD BEFORE, BUT I LOVE TARPON FISHING, ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO.
I HEAR THESE FISH HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY, AND THEY JUMP AROUND LIKE TARPON DO, KIND OF A BABY TARPON.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
- WELL, I'VE NEVER CAUGHT A TARPON, BUT I HAVE CAUGHT THESE SHAD ONCE BEFORE ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO, AND THEY DO JUMP, AND THEY ARE STRONG, BUT WE'RE NOT USING A GUIDE TODAY, SO WE GOT OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US.
WE'RE GONNA USE YOUR EXTENDED SALTWATER EXPERIENCE, AND MY MOUNTAIN TROUT EXPERIENCE, SEE IF WE CAN KIND OF TRY TO FIGURE THESE GUYS OUT.
- I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THIS.
- ALL RIGHT.
LET'S GIVE IT A TRY, SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
- ALL RIGHT.
- ALL RIGHT, TARA, WE FINALLY GOT ONE OF THESE THINGS SO WE CAN SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.
- OKAY.
- IT'S A LITTLE ONE, BUT IT IS A SHAD.
- IT'S STILL A FISH.
- THEY CAN BE CAUGHT.
- NICE.
A LITTLE JUMP THERE.
READY?
- SCOOP HIM UP.
AWESOME.
- OKAY.
- DON'T WORRY, WE'RE GONNA GET THEM BIGGER, WE JUST HAD TO GET ONE IN THE BOAT.
OKAY, TARA, SEE HOW THEY DO KIND OF LOOK LIKE A LITTLE BABY TARPON.
- I SEE THAT.
- THEY'RE IN THE HERRING FAMILY.
- MM-HMM.
- AND HE ATE A LITTLE BROWN, BONEFISH FLY.
- SO WE KNOW WE'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.
- OKAY.
THIS IS WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.
- OKAY.
- ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, FISH.
I JUST KISSED A SHAD.
I DON'T KNOW IF I NEED THAT ON MY MYPAGE.
ALL RIGHT, THERE WE GO.
OKAY, WE CAN DO THIS.
- THERE YOU GO, LITTLE BUDDY.
- IT MIGHT BE SLOW TO START, BUT WE'RE GONNA FIGURE THIS THING OUT.
- I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT THEY HIT BONEFISH.
- STEADY RETRIEVE, OCCASIONAL PAUSE, LET IT SINK.
JUST KEEP CHANGING THE RETRIEVE.
WE'LL FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WANT.
- THAT'S RIGHT.
- ALL RIGHT, NET GIRL, WAY TO GO.
- THANK YOU.
- OKAY, GET SOME MORE.
- ALL RIGHT.
- EXCELLENT.
WAY TO GO, TARA.
- YES.
GOT A FISH.
- GOT A FISH.
ONCE HIS CHIN COMES UP, YOU SKATE HIM RIGHT ON OVER HERE.
- LET'S BRING HIM ON SO HE DON'T GET THAT FLY LINE.
YES.
- THERE YOU GO.
YES.
KNUCKLES.
AND YOU HAVE A NEW SPECIES?
- YES, I DO.
- LET ME SET THOSE DOWN THERE.
- I DO.
- WHOO-HOO.
ALL RIGHT, TARA, NEW SPECIES.
- YAY.
- YES.
- MY FIRST SHAD.
- FIRST SHAD, WHOO-HOO.
- THAT'S GREAT.
- ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET THIS GUY BACK IN THE WATER.
- THAT WAS A FUN LITTLE FIGHT TOO.
- DOES YOUR LIFE FEEL COMPLETE NOW?
- IT--IT REALLY DOES.
- YES.
WAY TO GO.
- THANK YOU.
- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK ME WHAT MY FAVORITE FISH TO CATCH IS, WHAT SPECIES, IT'S ALWAYS A NEW SPECIES.
THAT'S MY FAVORITE THING TO DO IS TO CATCH OUT SOMETHING THAT I'VE NEVER CAUGHT BEFORE.
- RIGHT.
- SO YOU CAN MARK THAT ONE OFF THE LIST.
- THAT'S RIGHT, AND I WILL.
- WAY TO GO.
- THANK YOU, OLLIE.
- WAY TO GO, FISH.
- OLLIE, ABOUT WHEN DO THESE FISH START SHOWING UP?
- IT'S A TEMPERATURE THING, BUT USUALLY RIGHT AROUND THE 1ST OF MARCH WHEN THE WATER STARTS GETTING UP IN THE 50S.
- OKAY.
- IT'S EASY FOR ME TO REMEMBER, RIGHT AROUND MARCH MADNESS, ACC BASKETBALL.
MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR.
- GOT YOU.
- AND IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT EARLY, OR IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT LATE, JUST DEPENDING ON THE WATER LEVEL AND THE WATER TEMPERATURE.
I THINK WATER TEMPERATURE'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
- MM-HMM.
- AND THEY'RE COMING FROM A LONG WAY AWAY, AND THEY'RE USUALLY HERE FOR THREE WEEKS TO ABOUT A MONTH, AND THEN THEY TURN AND HEAD BACK IN THE OCEAN, AND THEN THE STRIPERS COME IN.
SO THEY GET TWO FISHERIES HERE.
THEY GET THE SHAD IN MARCH, AND THEN THE STRIPERS COME A LITTLE BIT LATER.
- I GOT YOU.
I JUST HAD A LOOKER THERE.
- ALL RIGHT.
I THINK WE GOT OUR NEXT WAVE OF FISH COMING IN.
- I THINK SO TOO 'CAUSE THERE'S BEEN A FEW ROLLING OUT HERE.
ALL RIGHT, OLLIE.
- OKAY, TARA, THAT WAS JUST SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THAT COLOR CHANGE.
I'M THROWING IN A LITTLE SHALLOWER WATER THAN WE WERE THROWING IN, SO HOPEFULLY WE GOT SOMETHING FIGURED OUT HERE.
THIS GUY'S TUGGING GOOD.
- OH, NICE.
OH, AND A LITTLE JUMP.
- THERE'S OUR JUMP.
SEE IF HE'S GONNA DO ANOTHER ONE.
I'M GONNA PULL HIM TO THE LEFT.
JUST KEEP HIM OFF YOUR LINE.
- THAT'S A NICE SIZE FISH TOO.
- OKAY.
- BEAUTIFUL.
OH, SORRY.
- GOT HIM.
- YOU GOT HIM?
- GOT HIM.
- OKAY.
- I'M GONNA LIFT HIS CHIN UP AND JUST SKATE HIM RIGHT ON OVER HERE.
THERE WE GO.
- THERE WE GO.
- GOOD NET.
- BEAUTIFUL FISH.
- ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GETTING UP IN SIZE.
- WE ARE.
YOU ARE.
- ALL RIGHT.
YOU'RE DUE.
ALL RIGHT, TARA, WE GOT A BIGGER FISH HERE.
- IT'S A BEAUTIFUL FISH.
- OUR STOCK IS GOING UP.
- THAT'S RIGHT.
- I GOT TO BE CAREFUL 'CAUSE I GOT TWO FLIES ON THERE.
IF HE STARTS THRASHING, ONE OF THOSE HOOKS IS GOING IN MY HAND.
- THAT'S A NICE SIZED SHAD.
- THERE WE GO.
- I WONDER WHAT THAT FISH WEIGHS.
- WELL, THE CAMERA ALWAYS MAKES THEM LOOK SMALLER.
WE'RE GONNA CALL IT TWO POUNDS.
COME HERE, BABY.
DIP THE NET DOWN JUST A HAIR.
- DIP IT DOWN?
- THERE WE GO.
LOOK AT THAT.
TELL ME THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A BABY TARPON.
- YEAH, IT REALLY DOES.
LOOK AT THE SPOTS DOWN THE SIDE.
- IT'S A PRETTY FISH.
- YES, IT IS.
- SEE, WE EVEN GOT A SCALE JUST LIKE A TARPON, TOO.
- NICE.
- ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE ALL CASTING IN THAT DIRECTION.
- OKAY.
- GOOD JOB, NET GIRL.
- THANK YOU.
GOOD JOB.
- ALL RIGHT, TARA.
- ALL RIGHT, OLLIE.
- TWO CASTS, TWO FISH.
- NICE.
- OKAY.
IT'S A LITTLE SMALLER, BUT IT IS A SHAD, AND AS SOON AS WE GET THIS FISH IN, I'M GONNA LET YOU HAVE THE SWEET SPOT OVER HERE.
- ALL RIGHTY.
- 'CAUSE THAT'S THE WAY I AM.
- GOT US ANOTHER BIG-- - THERE YOU GO.
LIFT HIS CHIN UP.
- ALL RIGHT.
- RIGHT THERE.
EXCELLENT.
I'M GONNA SET THIS ROD BEHIND YOU.
- ALL RIGHTY.
- ALL RIGHT.
OKAY, HERE WE GO.
SMALL, BUT GOOD FIGHT.
- OH, YEAH.
GOT A NICE LITTLE JUMP OUT OF HIM.
TOOK THE BOTTOM FLY?
- YEAH, IT'S NOT AS PRETTY AS A RAINBOW TROUT, BUT IT'S STILL A GOOD LOOKING FISH.
STREAMLINED, BUILT FOR SPEED.
- YEAH, I LIKE THE SILVER FISH BETTER.
- THE SILVER FISH ARE GOOD.
- OH, YEAH.
- ALL RIGHT.
NOW, I'M GONNA MOVE YOU RIGHT HERE.
I WANT YOU TO THROW RIGHT IN THE SWEET SPOT.
TARA, IT'S BEEN ABOUT TEN MINUTES SINCE OUR LAST FISH, SO I'M GONNA START CHANGING FLIES.
- OKAY.
- WE HAVE CAUGHT ONE ON THAT FLY, SO I WANT YOU TO KEEP THROWING IT IN DIFFERENT WATER TYPES, KEEP CHANGING THE DIFFERENT RETRIEVES UNTIL WE GET THEM PATTERNED.
- OKAY.
- AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, WE'RE GONNA CHANGE THE LOCATIONS ALTOGETHER, BUT WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT WATER TYPES HERE THAT WE CAN KEEP THROWING DIFFERENT COLORS AT.
NOW, SHAD ARE IN HERE SPAWNING, SO THEY'RE REALLY NOT FEEDING WELL.
THEY'RE JUST EATING THESE THINGS OUT OF REACTION, SO FLUORESCENTS WORK GOOD, PINKS, LIMES, FLUORESCENT WHITES.
- JUST ABOUT ANYTHING BRIGHT.
- SO I'M GONNA ACTUALLY HAVE TWO DIFFERENT FLIES ON, AND SEE IF WE CAN GET DIALED IN TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
AND SINCE WE HAVE YOU AND I HERE, WE CAN KEEP CHANGING ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS TO KIND OF CUT THROUGH THE LEARNING CURVE, FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
- WE END UP CHANGING FLIES A LOT IN SALTWATER, AND YOU JUST GOT TO KEEP THE FISH GUESSING WHAT'S COMING AT THEM.
- AND THEY'RE KEEPING US GUESSING, BUT WE'RE GONNA GET IT FIGURED OUT.
- HE'S PULLING.
GOT A NICE ONE HERE.
- EXCELLENT.
WE'RE GONNA PUT THE NET ON IT.
- OKAY.
- WE'RE GONNA CLEAR THE LINE.
- IT'S ROLLING UP HERE.
- ALL YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS THE ANCHOR LINE.
- OKAY.
- GO TO THE LEFT, THERE YOU GO.
GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY.
DOING GOOD.
NOW, GO THAT WAY, REAL HARD TO THE RIGHT.
GET HIM OUT OF THE ANCHOR LINE.
- AND RIGHT INTO THE FLY LINE.
- WE'LL GET IT.
THE FLY LINE'S BETTER THAN THE ANCHOR LINE.
AWESOME.
GOT HIM.
- THERE WE GO.
- YES.
JUST DID A FLY CHANGE.
- YEAH.
- YOU JUST GOT TO KEEP CHANGING UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT.
- THAT'S ALL IT NEEDED.
- ALL RIGHT.
I'LL GET THE FLY OUT.
- OKAY.
- AND THEN WE'LL LET YOU RELEASE THE FISH.
- OKAY, SOUNDS GOOD.
- DIDN'T YOU SAY SOMETHING ABOUT KISSING YOUR NEXT FISH?
- UM.
- I THOUGHT I DISTINCTLY HEARD SOMETHING ABOUT SMOOCHING A SHAD.
- WE'LL WAIT.
I'LL SMOOCH THE NEXT ONE.
- HOLD HIM UP.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HIM.
- ALL RIGHT.
- THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SHARP FINS.
THERE YOU GO.
NICE.
- GET A HANDLE ON THIS GUY.
- WAY TO GO.
- LOOK AT THAT FISH.
OH, YEAH, BEAUTIFUL.
- THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.
- LOOK HOW THE SUN HITS HIM.
AND HE'S OFF.
- NICE.
BAM.
- THAT WAS GOOD.
- I THINK IT'S THE ELECTRICAL TAPE ON YOUR WOUNDED HAND.
WAY TO GO.
- THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T FISH FOR A WHILE.
I THINK YOU SHOULD FISH MORE OFTEN SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ELECTRICAL TAPE.
- ALL RIGHT.
LET'S CLEAR THAT LINE, GET OFF THE ANCHOR LINE, AND LET'S GET ANOTHER ONE.
YES.
WE GOT A FISH--I'M GONNA PLAY THIS ONE ON THE REEL.
THIS IS JUST LIKE SALTWATER FISHING.
REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE TROUT FISHING, WE HAD TO WORRY ABOUT ROCKS AND LEDGES?
- RIGHT.
- ALL I GOT TO WORRY ABOUT RIGHT NOW IS THAT ANCHOR LINE, SO I'M GONNA PULL THE ROD AWAY FROM THE ANCHOR LINE.
THIS IS A GOOD FISH.
- IT'S A GREAT FISH.
- AND I MIGHT SWITCH SIDES FROM YOU IF HE CUTS THE CORNER.
COME ON, GET OUT OF THAT ANCHOR ROPE.
- THERE ARE DEFINITELY SOME BIG SHAD OUT HERE RIGHT NOW.
- OKAY, STAY OUT OF THE ANCHOR LINE.
COME ON, HE'S WANTING TO GET-- THERE WE GO.
I'M GONNA LIFT HIS CHIN UP, AND THEN JUST SCOOP HIM.
TELL YOU WHAT.
- THERE WE GO.
- NOT BIG, BUT BOY, WHAT A FIGHT.
- I DON'T KNOW, I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY BIG FISH.
- I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THESE FISH.
ACTUALLY TOOK THE LINE.
COME ON, BABY.
IT'S ON THAT PINK AND WHITE ONE.
SEE HOW FRAGILE THAT MOUTH IS?
- I DO.
- THAT LITTLE HOLE, THAT'S WHY I LET HIM TAKE LINE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO HORSE HIM IN LIKE THAT LAST ONE.
- RIGHT.
- THAT IS A GOOD FISH RIGHT THERE.
- OH, YEAH.
- AND HE'S FAT.
THAT'S WHAT WE CAME FOR.
- SO WOULD THAT ACTUALLY BE A FEMALE?
- DON'T KNOW, BUT IT'S A PRETTY FISH.
- RIGHT.
- IT'S GONNA GET KISSED ANYWAY.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, FISH.
THANK YOU FOR THE FIGHT.
- SWIM OFF.
- OKAY.
- THERE IT GOES.
- ALL RIGHT, THAT WAS ON THE PINK AND WHITE AGAIN.
- OKAY.
- SEEMS THE COLOR OF THE HOUR, AND I AM LETTING IT SINK A LITTLE BIT DEEPER IN THAT RUN 'CAUSE WE MOVED THE BOAT JUST A FEW FEET,-- - RIGHT.
- --AND NOW WE'RE OUT THERE IN THAT DEEP CHANNEL, SO WE'RE GONNA LET IT SINK A LITTLE BIT MORE.
LONG, STEADY RETRIEVES.
- OKAY.
- ALL RIGHT, YOU'RE NEXT.
- I KNOW.
- OH, I JUST HAD A FOLLOW RIGHT THERE.
WE ALMOST HAD OUR FIRST DOUBLE.
OKAY, IS HE CLOSE?
- HE'S CLOSE.
- ALL RIGHT.
- HE'S READY.
- WATCH THE ANCHOR LINE.
- I'M GONNA--WHOO!
- TWO POINTS.
TWO POINTS.
WE ALMOST HAD A DAILY DOUBLE.
- I KNOW.
ALMOST.
- ALL RIGHTY.
- ALL RIGHT.
GET MY HANDS WET THERE.
- CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT FISH SWAM HUNDREDS OF MILES TO GET HERE?
- I KNOW.
- GIVE YOU AN EVEN A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR THEM.
- IT DOES.
I DON'T WANT TO SQUEEZE ITS BELLY.
LET SOME SUN HIT THAT THING.
- AWESOME.
- JUST SEE THE GLITTER.
LET'S PUT HIM BACK, READY TO GO, TOO.
- ALL RIGHT, FLY CHANGE.
- THAT WAS QUICK, I KNOW.
- YOU CHANGED IT BACK TO A WHITE.
- THAT WAS ALL IT TOOK.
- THERE WE GO.
LET'S KEEP ON THEM.
- LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
- LET'S KEEP ON THEM.
I SEE YOU TRYING TO GET THAT ANCHOR LINE.
- THAT'S A DECENT SIZED FISH.
- THAT'S A GOOD FISH.
GETTING READY TO TAKE SOME LINE.
HE ATE THAT BROWN, BONEFISH FLY.
- GOOD.
- COME ON, BABY.
COME ON AND JUMP FOR US.
THERE WE GO.
- THAT WAS SO TARPON-ESQUE.
- YOU GOT TO KEEP HIS CHIN UP RIGHT THERE.
EXCELLENT.
- THERE WE GO.
- ALL RIGHT.
YOU KNOW, IF WE COULD CATCH TROUT THIS SIZE... - I KNOW.
- THAT WOULD MAKE MY JOB A LOT EASIER.
- MIGHT HAVE A MEAL.
VERY PRETTY.
- THERE WE GO.
ALL RIGHT, GIVE ME THAT FLY BACK.
HERE WE GO.
THAT'S A GOOD FISH.
LOOK AT THE BELLY ON THAT THING.
ALL RIGHT, SEE YOU, FISH.
- READY TO GO.
- EXCELLENT.
- NICE JOB.
- THANK YOU.
- THERE YOU GO.
- THAT'S FUN.
I LIKE THAT.
- I DO TOO.
- SIMPLY PUT, THAT WAS JUST A GOOD DAY.
- IT WAS.
WE CAUGHT--CAUGHT SOME FISH, AND OLLIE WILL EXPLAIN TO YOU IN GEAR TIME, HE-- THEY WERE NOT FISHING QUITE AS DEEP AS THEY NEEDED TO BE, BUT--AND HE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN GEAR TIME.
--BUT YEAH, THE HICKORY SHAD COMES EVERY SPRING, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK FORWARD TO, REALLY, THE BEGINNING OF THE FISHING SEASON HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA, AND SO IF YOU'VE NEVER TRIED THE FLY ROD, TRY IT.
IT'S JUST AS MUCH FUN AS ULTRA LIGHT.
- WELL, AS WE SAY, ANY TIME YOU'RE FISHING WITH A FLY ROD, IT'S GOOD CONVERSATION.
LET'S GO TO GEAR TIME.
- WELL, TARA, YOU CAUGHT YOUR FIRST SHAD TODAY.
HOW WAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE ON THE ROANOKE RIVER?
- IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
THESE LITTLE GUYS FIGHT, AND THEY PUT UP A GREAT FIGHT.
- WAS IT WORTH THE DRIVE UP HERE FROM WILMINGTON?
- VERY MUCH SO.
- WOULD YOU COME BACK AND DO IT AGAIN?
- I'M READY TO COME BACK TOMORROW.
- WELL, I DO TOO.
WE DID GOOD TODAY.
OF COURSE, YOU'RE A SALTWATER GIRL, AND I'M A MOUNTAIN GUY, SO WE CAME DOWN HERE WITHOUT ANY HELP... - RIGHT.
- AND I THINK WE HELD OUR OWN EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THE LOCALS CAUGHT MORE FISH THAN WE DID, BUT WE DID PRETTY GOOD.
WE HAD A GOOD SHOWING THERE.
WE HAD SOME TOUGH CONDITIONS WITH THE WIND.
OUR FLY LINES WERE A LITTLE BIT OFF, SO WE HAD TO FOCUS ON THE SHALLOWER WATER.
THE GUYS WHO WERE CATCHING THE MOST FISH WERE USING 40 FOOT, FULL SINKING LINES, WHERE WE JUST HAD THESE LITTLE SIX FOOT SINK TIPS.
- RIGHT.
- SO WE HAD TO CONCENTRATE ON THE SHALLOW WATER, SO YES, I DEFINITELY WANT TO COME BACK WITH A HEAVIER FLY LINE SO WE CAN GET DOWN DEEPER IN THOSE DEEPER RUNS WHERE MOST OF THE FISH WERE BEING CAUGHT, BUT WE DID GOOD.
- OH, I AGREE.
- TELL ME ABOUT THE ROD YOU'RE USING TODAY.
- THIS IS A SIX WEIGHT WHICH IS ONE OF MY RODS OF CHOICE WHENEVER I'M FIGHTING LIGHTER FISH.
IT'S GREAT FOR PUNCHING THROUGH THE WIND, BUT AS WINDY AS IT WAS TODAY, I REALLY WISH I HAD SOMETHING MORE ALONG THE LINES OF AN EIGHT, NOT QUITE THAT HIGH, BUT IT WOULD HAVE HELPED ME PERSONALLY PUNCH THROUGH THE WIND.
- WELL, I HAD A SEVEN WEIGHT ROD, AND IT DID A LITTLE BIT BETTER IN THE WIND, AND WE WERE THROWING SOME REALLY HEAVY FLIES TODAY TOO.
A COMBINATION OF HEAVY FLIES, SINK TIP LINES, WE ALSO ADDED SPLIT SHOT ON THERE, NOT A JOY TO CAST, BUT I THINK IF THE CONDITIONS WERE RIGHT, YOU COULD HAVE DONE REALLY WELL WITH THAT SIX WEIGHT ROD AND HAD JUST AS MUCH FUN ON THESE SMALLER FISH AS OPPOSED TO A SEVEN WEIGHT ROD.
BUT ANYWAY, I THINK WE DID GOOD.
I DEFINITELY WANT TO COME BACK.
- I DO WANT TO COME BACK, AND SOMETHING THAT I WILL DO NEXT TIME IS THROUGH THE WINTER WHEN I'M NOT FISHING A LOT, I WILL PROBABLY DO A LITTLE MORE CASTING JUST TO TAKE CARE OF THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO YOUR HANDS IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN FISHING IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
YOU CAN WEAR A BLISTER-- - I LIKE THE FIELD DRESSING.
I LIKE THE FIELD DRESSING.
- WELL, I'M JUST GLAD THAT WE HAD IT BECAUSE IT REALLY HELPS OUT A LOT, AND-- - 'CAUSE WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF STRIPPING.
- A WHOLE LOT OF STRIPPING, AND YOU CAN WEAR A BLISTER EASILY BECAUSE THE FISH THAT I'M USUALLY TARGETING I CAN SEE COME TOWARD THE BOAT, SO I'M NOT REALLY CASTING UNTIL I SEE THE FISH, AND THEN AT THAT POINT-- - SO YOU'RE NOT CASTING ALL DAY LONG.
- NO, AND THIS WATER HERE HAD ME CASTING A LOT MORE THAN USUAL.
- RIGHT, AND SPEAKING OF THIS WINTER, I DO NEED TO COME DOWN AND DO THE RED FISHING WITH YOU AT SOME POINT.
- THAT'S RIGHT.
- AND YOU CAN SHOW ME HOW EVERYTHING'S DONE DOWN THERE.
- I WOULD LOVE THAT.
- EXCELLENT.
- ALL RIGHTY.
- I ENJOYED FISHING WITH YOU.
IT'S BEEN A YEAR.
- THANK YOU SO MUCH.
- LET'S MAKE SURE IT'S NOT A YEAR BEFORE OUR NEXT FISHING TRIP.
- WE'LL DO THAT.
WE WILL DO THAT.
- WANT TO TRY TO CATCH ONE MORE?
- I WOULD LOVE TO.
- LET'S DO IT.
- ALL RIGHT.
- I HOPE YOU FIND THAT INFORMATION USEFUL IN GEAR TIME.
NOW, LET'S CATCH UP WITH DONNA.
SHE'S IN THE KITCHEN.
SHE'S GOT A RECIPE TODAY USING OYSTERS.
- HI, TODAY IN THE KITCHEN WE'RE GONNA MAKE FRENCH FRIED OYSTERS.
THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE.
MY HUSBAND HAD IT AT A RESTAURANT, AND THEY USED FISH, AND I WAS LIKE, "THIS WOULD BE SO GREAT WITH OYSTERS 'CAUSE THEY'RE NICE AND SMALL, AND YOU CAN JUST POP THEM IN YOUR MOUTH."
THEY'RE FABULOUS.
SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE THE FRENCH FRIED ONIONS THAT YOU BUY IN A CAN.
WE ALL KNOW WE EAT THEM DURING THE HOLIDAYS, BUT NOW YOU CAN USE THEM ALL YEAR ROUND.
THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SPRUCE UP YOUR OYSTERS.
SO WE'RE GONNA PUT THOSE IN OUR FOOD PROCESSOR AND GIVE THOSE A PULSE.
SO I'M JUST GONNA PULSE 'EM A COUPLE TIMES TO KIND OF BREAK THEM UP, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA ADD IN OUR FISH FRY, AND THIS IS GREAT BECAUSE IT'S A CORNMEAL BASED BREADER, SO IT'S GONNA GET THAT NICE AND CRUNCH, AND IT'S GONNA FRY UP REALLY GREAT.
SO WE'RE JUST GONNA CLOSE UP OUR FOOD PROCESSOR AND PULSE THIS UNTIL IT GETS ALL MIXED TOGETHER.
HERE WE GO.
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PUT THIS OUT ON OUR WAX PAPER 'CAUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE EASIEST WAY TO DO IT 'CAUSE THEN YOU CAN TOSS YOUR WAX PAPER.
PUT THESE OVER HERE.
SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT THAT OUT ON OUR WAX PAPER, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA DREDGE OUR OYSTERS INTO OUR BREADER, AND I'VE ALREADY RINSED THEM, THEY'VE BEEN SHUCKED, RINSED, AND CLEANED, SO WE'RE READY TO GO.
SO WE'RE JUST GONNA DO A FEW AT A TIME 'CAUSE YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO GET ALL GLOPPED TOGETHER, SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT THOSE IN THERE, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TOSS IT WITH OUR BREADER.
AND THIS IS GONNA BE SO GREAT, AND IT GOES TOGETHER REALLY QUICK, SO THAT'S NICE AS WELL.
AND IF YOU WANT TO THROW IN SOME SHRIMP AND DO SOME SHRIMP WHILE YOU'RE DOING IT WHILE YOU HAVE YOUR FRYER READY, AND ALL YOUR BREADER, THAT'S EVEN BETTER.
SO ONCE THEY'RE ALL TOSSED AND COATED, WE'RE GONNA PLACE THOSE IN OUR BASKET, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA DROP THEM INTO OUR OIL THAT'S AT ABOUT 400 DEGREES.
WE WANT IT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S HOT ENOUGH THAT IT COOKS QUICKLY, BUT NOT TOO HOT TO BURN AND NOT COOK INSIDE, AND NOT TOO LOW OF A TEMPERATURE BECAUSE IF IT'S TOO LOW, THEN ALL OF THE OIL IS ABSORBED INTO OUR OYSTERS, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT.
WE WANT THEM TO FRY UP NICE AND QUICKLY, AND NICE AND CRUNCHY.
SO WE'RE GONNA COOK THESE FOR ABOUT TWO TO THREE MINUTES UNTIL THEY'RE NICE AND BROWN ON THE OUTSIDE, AND COOKED ON THE INSIDE, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT BUBBLES GOING ON HERE, AND YOU SEE THAT THEY'RE FRYING UP REALLY NICELY THERE IN OUR FRYER, SO WE'RE GONNA DROP THOSE DOWN AND JUST FINISH THEM A LITTLE BIT.
AND YOU WANT TO DO THESE IN BATCHES.
YOU DON'T WANT TO DO TOO MANY AT ONE TIME.
SO ONCE THEY'RE DONE, YOU JUST BRING THEM OUT AND LET THEM DRAIN, AND YOU'RE READY TO GO, AND I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT YOU LET YOUR OIL HEAT BACK UP BEFORE YOU START YOUR NEXT BATCH.
SO ONCE THEY'RE DONE, WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS?
IT'S A GREAT RECIPE 'CAUSE IT'S SO VERSATILE.
YOU CAN DO SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.
WE MADE A PO' BOY OVER HERE WHICH YOU FIND MAYBE DOWN IN LOUISIANA.
WE PUT A LITTLE SPINACH ON HERE TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE EXTRA GREEN.
YOU CAN PUT TOMATOES ON IT.
YOU CAN PUT YOUR FAVORITE SAUCE ON IT AND EAT IT JUST LIKE THAT WITH SOME COLD WATERMELON STICKS WHICH IS NICE, OR IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN MAKE A GREAT FRIED OYSTER SALAD WHICH IS VERY POPULAR RIGHT NOW IN SOME OF THE RESTAURANTS, SO I JUST TOOK SOME BABY GREENS THAT I FOUND AT THE GROCERY, PUT SOME CHERRY TOMATOES, PUT WHATEVER YOU LIKE ON IT, AND THEN JUST SPRINKLE SOME OF YOUR OYSTERS ON TOP OF YOUR SALAD, AND TOP IT WITH YOUR FAVORITE DRESSING, AND YOU ARE READY TO GO.
SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE FRENCH FRIED OYSTERS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME HERE ON SIMPLE COOKING.
- THANKS, DONNA, FOR ANOTHER GREAT RECIPE.
JOE, HICKORY SHAD, THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE FISH.
- WELL, IT IS.
YOU KNOW, I'VE ALWAYS SAID IT OPENS THE FISHING SEASON IN SPRING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND IT'S-- THEY MIGRATE FROM THE OCEAN TO SPAWN EVERY YEAR, AND THE ROANOKE RIVER IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BETTER PLACES IN THE STATE.
ALL THE RIVERS THAT WE HAVE HAVE HICKORY SHAD MIGRATIONS, BUT THE ROANOKE FOR SOME REASON, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FISH, AND THEY TEND TO RUN A LITTLE LARGER IN SIZE TOO, BUT WHAT A GREAT FISH.
ANY WAY YOU CATCH THEM, YOU CATCH THEM ULTRA LIGHT, YOU CATCH THEM WITH A FLY ROD, IT DOESN'T MATTER.
THEY'LL GIVE YOU A GOOD FIGHT.
- AND A FLY ROD JUST ADDS SOMETHING TO IT.
- ABSOLUTELY.
- FOR JOE ALBEA, I'M JOHN MOORE.
THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THE CAROLINA OUTDOOR JOURNAL.
- [MALE ANNOUNCER]: MAKE SURE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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