Went up by 205 bridge off gov't island and tried our luck at shad we where in about 15 ft of water about 30-40 feet off the shore. IT WAS HORRIBLE the amount of GUNK in the river was horrid you could not get your line set to fish without being drug down by a branch or stick, we had a 30 ft tree bounce off the bow of the boat on it's way downstream, needless to say not a single bite and we headed back to the dock
anyone else have any luck ?

I've been meaning to give shad fishing a shot... Has anyone tried it near McNary?

reports have the shad going over the dalles dam in high numbers so i would presume that fishing should be great up in that area to. Maybe you will not have all the gunk washing down stream up there
columbia full of grass and sticks and the willamette is now a alge fest and it is difficult to fish either
good luck and have a hay day out there