Between Trenton Falls, which is the start of the tidal flow, and the junction with the West Branch at Hancock, the Delaware River stretches for exactly 200 miles. All along the way, and even farther into the northern branches, anglers can catch migrating and spawning American shad.

After a mysterious downturn around the turn of this past century, shad fishing has picked up again over the last two or three years. If you've been away, get out there and rediscover what shad fever is all about.

Most places noted here provide some of the best shad action in the Delaware River each year:

BUCKS COUNTY START-UP
Until the water temperature reaches about 50 degrees, shad fishing gets off to a slow start in the lower non-tidal Delaware. But when that magic number is reached, Bucks County is where the action begins.

This section of the river offers a combination of fishing from shore and boat, with the latter more dominant due to the character of the water and the availability of access.

Bucks County has three boat ramps directly in front of good shad spots. In the lower end of the county are the Tinicum and the Yardley accesses, both on the circuitous river highway, Route 32.

Tinicum is near Erwinna and Yardley, at the north end of the borough of the same name. Farther upstream is the Upper Black Eddy access, also along Route 32, just below the bridge crossing to Milford.

Parking at this site is unfortunately limited because it's hemmed in by housing. In addition, if you are coming from the north, the turn into the lot can be downright dangerous.

Nevertheless, all three launch sites can lead the boating angler to good shad channels and narrow pinch points, where shad must venture in order to continue their migration.

Wade-fishing in Bucks County is problematic due to the width of the river and access problems. Anglers like to concentrate their efforts above the footbridge north of New Hope and in the Point Pleasant area, both narrower settings.

For adventurous anglers, a key to access is the Delaware Canal. In selected spots, the canal is practically adjacent to the river, as opposed to several thousand yards away, or on the east side of routes 32 or 611.

These unofficial access points can put you close to shad. Ambitious anglers walk along the towpath and then climb down an embankment to these lesser-used locations on the river.

In addition, places along the Palisades area and Route 611 offer easier shore access. These spots usually have parking for the historic canal locks and towpath, which anglers will use to reach the river.

One good site is across from the brownish red industrial plant on the New Jersey side.

In addition to access in Bucks County, many shad anglers cross the bridges and launch or wade-fish from the parks and access points in New Jersey. Two of the best are at the Kingwood Access about a mile south of Frenchtown, N.J., on Route 29, and at Bulls Island, also off Route 29.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
The number of boat-launch sites increases only slightly in Northampton County, but the amount of wade-fishing opportunities increases dramatically.

In Northampton County, the river is still wide but there are more spots where it narrows down. Fortunately, this gives shore-bound anglers a better chance at reaching the deeper channels where shad are migrating.