CHAPTER XIX. 



THE SHAD Aloxa sapidissima (Wilson Storer.) 



The fish this paper treats of makes up the tail end of the amateur 

 angler's list, and yet the capture of the first shad in the North River 

 is heralded in all the Metropolitan journals. The fish itself is re- 

 ceived in Fulton market by a deputation of citizens, then decorated 

 with ribbons and hung up to the admiring gaze of hundreds. 



The shad does not, however, possess the same interest for the fish- 

 erman as does the mossbunker. 



The shad is found all along the Atlantic Coast from Florida to- 

 Newport; in fact the fish is seen all over the world; in European 

 livers and in China waters. 



The migration of shad commences in Spring at the Florida coast, 

 and as the fish move northward they increase in size and in flavor. 

 Those which first reach the New York market come from the shores 

 of the Carolinas. The first North River shad was caught and taken 

 to Fulton market April 10. From that date onward to July 1st the 

 fish are taken by thousands and get to be very cheap. At the close 

 of the run Connecticut River shad are brought in and bring fancy 

 prices, as they have a far more delicate flavor than those called 

 Southern shad. 



The shad run in from the ocean up to fresh water to deposit their 

 spawn, and advantage is taken of this great movement to take them 

 in huge nets set across the current. Seine nets, stake nets, drift nets, 



