The easiest way to fish upstream of Weldon is to take a canoe and launch it underneath the Hwy 301 bridge in Weldon. “The Rockfish Capital Bridge” has a dirt path alongside it that runs right to the river. It is a simple matter to drive down and launch a canoe or other cartop boat. There is a big pool above the Weldon rocks and shad will stack up in it. The water is deep. If you are going to be flyfishing you will need a sink tip or sinking flyline. Spin fishing anglers will find a larger shad dart than the usual 1/8 ounce model will get down a little deeper and get more strikes.
If you really want to get away from people there is another option. The one I like is to launch at the wildlife ramp in Gaston off of Hwy 48. At this ramp you will be floating almost the entire rocky part of river from where it comes out of the Roanoke Rapids Dam canal and on down to Weldon. There usually isn’t much action right there at the ramp. I usually don’t start fishing until I get to the I-95 Bridge. Stay to the right as you go downstream. Once you go past the nice house that sits on the right side, just as you get to I-95, you are in good fishing water. I look for the “Happy Shad Roll” to tell me where the fish are. When shad are relaxed and in a place they like in the river, they will roll and splash and generally make it known that they are about. I have also been able to tell when the fish are downstream of me by watching an Osprey swoop low over the river. Birds of prey don’t bother doing that unless there is something worth going that low for. At this time of the year, for Osprey, the shad is what they are feeding on.
Let’s assume you have found the fish, they are right there in front of you. You can see them swimming past you in the water, it is quite clear, and they are splashing in the pool. I prefer to fish with a light flyrod, generally a 4 or 5 weight, with a floating line. A small 1/8 ounce shad dart is perfect for spinfishing. Keep the fly or lure above the heads of the fish. If it goes beneath them they will move away from it. Anything that goes above them will get a look. You will actually see the reaction of the shad as your hook goes by them. Some will rise up for an instant and go down, others will give chase and turn away, then one will come right up and slash at it. Often they will miss. But often enough they won’t! Shad are great fighters. The bigger ones, those approaching 18 inches or more, will make great leaps that are reminiscent of tarpon. It is nothing but fun!
On down the river there are a couple places you need to be careful of. If you are a good canoeist then you know what to do already and don’t need my help. If not, you will want to check ahead when you see a drop off and decide whether you want to run it or portage. Keep your gear light for just such an occasion. I recommend that you do not try to run the rocks at Weldon at all, no matter what your experience. One other place that will warrant special consideration is the area known as “The Gap”. You will see large boulder formations on either side of the river that form…a gap. The river takes a big turn through a pretty narrow area here. It would be wise to check it out ahead of time if you have not done it before.
Other than that the river is pretty mild and goes through very nice country and there is a good chance you will see eagles, osprey, deer, turkey and who knows how many different species of assorted birds and ducks. Add the chance to fish for hickory shad by the thousands in almost total seclusion and it is a trip that has definite rewards for the intrepid angler.