Hg&e Shad Derby Postponed!!!

[Sean Coughlin]

We have just been notified that the Shad Derby that was scheduled to continue operations on this weekend (May 20th and 21st) has been postponed.

The Derby will continue next weekend (May 27th and 28th)

Spread the word! There are quite a few people that come a long distance to this event so make sure you tell eveyone you can.

Thanks.

[fisher16]

Here are the readings on the river from the Northeast River Forcast prediction center. It seems that Mother nature was a little late this year. Usually we get this type of water in late March early April.
http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/images/ahps2/hydrographs/hlym3_hg.png

Westfield River:
http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/images/ahps2/hydrographs/wsfm3_hg.png

Chicopee River:
http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/images/ahps2/hydrographs/indm3_hg.png

Do you know if they shut down the fish ladder's in Holyoke/Westfield due to high water?

[Sean Coughlin]

The lift does not operate in high water conditions.

I read somewhere (and I am still looking for it to confirm) that shad do not move upstream very much in high dirty water conditions.

That may no be correct as it would not explain why there seems to be good numbers of shad in the Chicopee River.

If they didn't move forward in muddy water how so many fish be coming up the Chicopee river from the main stem?

[grizbear13]

Wink1 Because the Chicopee river is a cleaner water source with less current ,it acts as a stageing area for the shad and the stripers just like a rip or current break!!! Fishing1 Fishing1