Hi! Carl, I plan on going up to Fredericksburg for a shad trip sometime the last week of March (March 28-31). Not sure which day yet but probably will be Tues, March 30. I have a call in to the Va Game and Fish guys in Fredericksburg to find out if the shad are in the river there. Will post when I get the results of that phone call. As to what to bring, you will need waders as the water will be cold (in the 50's). I also bring along an extra set of clothes in case I fall in and get wet. (learned that lesson last year!), some drinks and lunch, a wading staff (you can find a branch along the bank and make one if you don't have one), stripping basket, and extra leaders, flies, etc. Dress warmly and in layers as even if the air temp is in the 60s you will be standing in 50 degree water and that can get cold. You can always take sweatshirts off, hard to find them along the shore if you aren't wearing them or didn't bring them. Will be leaving from my home in Hampton around 7am and getting in to Fredericksburg around 9:30 am and fishing until around 4:30 pm and then travel back. I usually stop on the way back at the Islamorada Restaurant in the Bass Pro Shop just north of Richmond on I-95 to eat. Really good food! You are welcome to come along. If you or anyone else wants to go, give me a shout on my email mike4519@verizon.net. Will have more details as we get closer to the end of March. Thanks and tight lines, mike buss