Upper Roanoke River Spring Stripers

If you have ever dreamed of catching 100 fish in a day, then you should fish below the fall line of the Roanoke River in Weldon during the spring spawning run for shad and stripers. The season begins in late February and March with the first showing of American and Hickory Shad. The shad has often been called the “poor man’s tarpon” for its ability to jump out of the water and make screaming runs. It is truly a great fighting fish on light to ultralight conventional or fly tackle. The shad run continues through early April and ends with the beginning of the striped bass spawning run in early April which usually peaks in late April and continues throughout May. May is my favorite part of the season with exciting topwater action in early mornings and late evenings and excellent fly fishing.