Inside the Wakefield Shad Planking

The Wakefield Sportsmen’s Club, in Wakefield, Virginia.

A freshly caught American shad.

Wetting a line in the James River.

The fire is lit before the six hours it takes to plank a shad.

The Wakefield Shad Planking’s roots reach back to the early 1930s, when a group of men gathered to cook shad on wooden planks along the James River.

Ernest Crockett with butterflied shad.

Crockett carries fish to the fire.

A row of planked shad during the smoking process.

Tending to the fire.

Prepping the shad.

Mopping a planked shad.

A planked shad.

Crowds gather beneath the trees.

A line forms at the Wakefield Shad Planking.

Lunch is served.

Attendees enjoy the food and fellowship.

The James River.