Tom Clifford fishes for shad under Chain Bridge, on the District side of the Potomac. He's holding a lure called a Nungesser, above which is a shad dart. (John Kelly/The Washington Post) Perspective ...

About this time of year a few friends and I travel down to the Columbia River to fish for shad. It has become an annual tradition. The reason I enjoy it so much is it is kind of old school fishing.

Now’s the time to rummage through your tackle box and take out all those off-brand lures you seldom use. The small spoons, spinners, jigs, and odd devices you got suckered into buying, or were given ...