Cone-head shad fly
Classic Shad Dart
Core European shad pattern
ShadSubsurface
The defining European shad fly: a bright body behind a tungsten cone, small enough to swing cleanly and heavy enough to hold the migration lane. The cone-head is the form sold and fished on the Loire, the Allier and the Garonne.
Fish this when
Main migration lanes and current seams, moderate depth, fish holding mid-water. The default fly on French and Iberian shad rivers.
Why it works
The cone gets the fly into the lane without the bulk of a lead head, and the bright body triggers a migration-aggression response. Shad are not feeding — they are reacting.
Typical zone & fishable range
usually
Shallow
Subsurface
Deep
Setup sensitivity: low
Quick facts
Heritage
ModernClassicHeritage
Modern
Included in packs
Darts, chenilles & soft hackles