In early summer on the Delaware River, I used to see thousands of dead shad, lining the banks, looking like an enormous fish kill disaster. I figured that shad must just make a one-way trip, like all salmon species.
I never knew that shad can survive to be repeat spawners until I read the book - "The Founding Fish", by John Mcphee.
It is a wonderful book covering shad biology, natural history and the fishes importance in American history. Like, did you ever hear that after Gettysburg Picket's division got whupped again 'cause the top officers took off to have a shad breakfast with Gen. Lee just prior to the Yankees attacking?
Stories like that will keep you up late reading away, and sorry when you're at the last page and there is no more.
While mostly centered on the east coast, there's also a brief section about the author shad fishing on the Columbia with Lenox Dick
Your view of shad is guaranteed to change afer reading this book.
I see Powells is offering one used at $17.50