Menu Close

Russian River Shad Fly

This shad fly is part of The Pfeiffer Collection.

The Russian River Shad Fly, also known as Carl Ludemann’s Shad Fly, is similar in style to the Shad Fly and Hayden Shad Fly and was a 1950’s favorite on the Russian and Sacramento Rivers alike. The hackle fiber tail makes it easier to tie than the Hayden in my opinion.

Russian River Shad Fly Pattern:

Hook: Size 4 Mustad 34007
Thread: Red Danville’s flat waxed nylon
Tail: Red Hackle Barbs
Body: Large Silver Oval Tinsel
Wing: Palmered White Saddle Hackle
Head: Red Chenille

EDIT 12/26/2024: I happened across a May 1959 copy of The Elks magazine where the story The Bad Shad by Ted Trueblood also talks about this fly. I think I need to fatten up that body and ditch the 34007 hook for a streamer hook!

Ludemann Shad Fly from The Elks, May 1959

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *