You may have noticed I haven't posted anything new lately concerning stripers in the Feather. Believe me it's not for lack of trying. Yes, they did start dumping the smolt last Wednesday a week ago, and a few stripers did get caught to the guys dunking live minnows and throwing hardware. But, for the most part, something's different. They're not biting like years past. Why? Very very low water? Low water temps at 48/49 degrees? Maybe they're just not here?

Here's one more possible reason.



In this mornings Appeal/Democrat on the front page story is "Falls Fall at Shanghai Bend". Over the years even clay will erode and that's what has happened at Shanghai. A large section of the falls has eroded through opening up a nice clear channel for fish to migrate past. Note the white water in the picture and the channel below it. There is no fall or sharp drop-off here like before. This used to be only a small seam or slot and fish would have a tendancy to stack up below this clay barrier called "Shanghai Bend Falls."

As this is a natural occuring event it will aide in the migration of various species of returning fish that spawn here and farther upstream. But for now, striper action on the Feather is slow slow slow
TONY

For more of the story go to www.appealdemocrat.com .