Shad History
It was said that the first year the Bethlehem Moravians arrived to build a settlement, shad saved the lives of many people who had nothing else to fall back on because planting was upon them and nothing was beingproduced in the fields at that time.
In early days, many people were farmers. Fewer were merchants, did laundry, had pubs, and other businesses.
The shad run was announced each year by the wives of the farmers going to the pastures to milk the cows in the Ferry Street hill area and west. The ladies created a news outlet. Each had a small stool and containers to hold the milk of their cows. As they worked each day, the known news was passed. The husbands were always happy to learn the shad run was on. The farm ladies also went to The Great Square with produce, meat, chicken, milk, butter and cheese. There they passed shad new as well
During the shad run, the shad were so tightly stacked in the two rivers, a person could walk across either river (the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers no dam at that time) on the backs of shad. Certainly can't understand how it could be true, but that's was widely believed, later thought of as folk lore. Not only did the Indians get enough shad to feed them until the next year shad run, Easton and Bethlehem settlers did too.
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Shad Tournament History
Twenty-six years ago, I received a phone call from my good friend Gretchen Wrenshall, then City Coordinator. Two men were in her office requesting free parking on Larry Holmes Drive during the shad run. Getting tickets for parkingtrucks and boats became frustrating, because the only access to the river was the Easton boat ramp in Scott Park. She suggested I hear their story since I was working on downtown events, parking, etc.
They came to my office in the Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce (TRACC) building on North 4th Street. We talked about parking problems and the huge number of area anglers fishing for shad. The guys, Fred and Jeff Gensheimer, offered to organize a clean-up-the-banks program each spring in return for free parking during shad fishing season.
I took their request to the board of directors. Jack Bennett, former retailer, agreed a contest of some was kind was in order- -especially since he saw approximately 500 plus anglers lined-up each year to fish on the banks of the Delaware and from boats in the water. Jack asked Rotary Club members to help coordinate a fishing event. A good many Rotarians worked to complete the task. Sorry, I can't remember the names of everyone who worked on the event. However, I do remember that Howard Hill, Bill Bray, Dr. Terry Pundiak, a past Chairman, Dr. John Updegrove and Dr. Gary Poole gave a great many hours. Local anglers happily cleaned the river banks gave input for the event. Also, Dr. Pundiak computerized the event to the joy of past and current tourney directors.
While Rotarians worked on the event, the City of Easton offered Scott Park as the location of the weigh station, and contacted Harrisburg to ask for free parking on the drive during tournament dates. Rotarians wrote the rules. I started my education about fishing and the specie of shad, and became coordinator for the first event in 1983.
The City of Easton and its Recreation Department provided complimentary use of Scott Park for the Shad Tournament, which extremely helpful and made it possible for the tournament to grow as it did.Early on, the addition of vendors (Dixie in particular) selling hooks and colorful bangles (to encourage shad to slow
down on the way to spawning grounds so they could be caught.
Largest shad ever caught during tournament hours was 9 lbs. 7 oz. It was caught by angler Anthony (Tony) Fortebuono in the Delaware River. He's was an Eastonian at that time.To my knowledge, the world record is still 11 lbs. 4 oz., caught up in New England. Prize money kept the tournament running.
The first year, registrants paid $1 for every fish weighed. Generous sponsors donated fishing gear for prizes. The founders quickly learned that an exciting, alluring fishing tournament must have monetary prizes to be a success. The next year the registration fee was $2.50, then $5.00, then $7.50 and so on- -and now the fee is $25 for early registration October thru January 31 -$30 February to last day of registration.
For 13 years Rotarians Robert Conroy and Barry Miles were chairmen who worked on the quality and appeal of the tournament. Later Mark Mulrine, a Rotarian, joined them and then the tourney had tri-chairmen. Mark still serves as chairman. Thanks to strong early leadership the tournament grew. Jeff Gensheimer had the winning fish the first year. He's still active in the event and serves on the tournament committee.Many people formed it, molded it, and lovingly and energetically kept it alive. Current director "Pic" Schoenek, and the 25th year committee deserve praise for another outstanding event. My apologies if I've missed anyone who played an important role in organizing the Shad Tournament.
The City of Easton is fortunate the Shad Tournament takes place each spring. Take time next year to stand in Scott Park at the Forks of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers and see and feel the strength of the converging waters as the Lehigh River flows into the Delaware River. Such a magnificent resource!
A big thank you to anglers and all folks who understand the unique shad run- -a rite of spring- -and the part it played in the early settlement of Easton.
Evie Gulick
Former Tournament Director
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**Special thanks to the "City of Easton" for their help & support.**Special thanks to the County of Northampton for their financial support.**Special thanks to Senator Robert Wonderling and State represenative Robert Freemans and their staff for their help and support.**Special thanks to the PA Water Rescue & Garden State Underwater Recovery Units support for the Shad Fishing Tournament & Festival.**Special thanks to the Easton Fire Department Water Rescue team.------------------------------------------------
"Family Challenge"This new challenge is designed to introduce our youth to the sport of fishing. Each team, comprised of an adult and a child, will be challenged to weigh in the best weight of two Shad.
And here are the rules:
*The adult must be registered for the Tournament
*The child cannot be more than 15 years old
*The two must be related - (father/son, mother/daughter, uncle/nephew, grandfather/grandson, etc.)
*Best weight of two Shad (one fish per entrant on the team)
*One team takes all - winning $350 prize.
When: 'Family Challenge' will be held on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 What Time: 9AM - 4PM Where: Delaware River Prize will be awarded on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at our Closing Ceremonies at Scott Park, Easton, PA 2:30PM.
**All Tournament Rules apply to this and all challenges **
**All decisions of the Tournament Committee will be final**
How to apply: go to the "applications" section of this web site and fill out two applications. One for the adult and one for the child. Mail the applications to:
"Family Challenge 2008" P.O. Box 907 Easton, PA 18044-0907