Shad watch on April 16. When hot weather reigned, buck and roe shad were taken in the Delaware River near Easton (river mile 184) in 56 degree water, and at Portland (river mile 207) in 52 degree water. But a cold front moved through the next day and spread “lockjaw” among the shad, as one fisherman put it.

There’s also a report that shad were taken on April 18 at Shawnee, just above the Delaware Water Gap. Bear in mind that Narrowsburg is at river mile 290 and the Water Gap is about 80 miles below.

Experienced anglers advised me that shad advance eight miles a day as they move upriver but are slowed by high water and stream temperatures below 50 degrees. Spawning is deferred until stream temperatures reach the mid-60s.

	TRR photo by Ed Wesely Coltsfoot flower on Easter Sunday. At the right is an unopened bud. (Click for larger image)

Coltsfoot on Easter Sunday. The humble coltsfoot opened brilliant flowers on roadsides up and down the river valley. Resembling dandelions, it thrives in waste places, especially on disturbed road shoulders. How the plants survive the winter’s buffeting by snowplows and road salts is a mystery.

Right now, almost any splash of yellow and gold along rural roads will be a patch of coltsfoot. Small reddish scales on the stem clearly identify the species. A color image of coltsfoot is available on riverreporter.com.