Dennis,
Those smolt releases are a dinner bell wherever they happen. The first week of February is always the release of smolt in the Feather and that seems to start all the locals fishing again. Some of the stripers do arrive before the release of the smolt though. My largest striper to date came on Feb. 6, 2013 before the release.
There are numerous other places they release smolt as well closer to the bay such as Benicia and above the Antioch bridge all to help with the downstream migration, but I don't think this actually triggers the stripers to turn on the bite. The stripers are simply hungry and are opportunists to whatever food is available. Dumping a bunch of food right in their face simply provides an easier meal and less work to hunt and stay alive themselves.
Tony
TONY BUZOLICH
Feather River Fly
Yuba City, CA.
(530) 790-7180
Bookmarks