The spring striped bass run on the Feather River is heating up, reported local guide Kevin Brock. "We've been releasing over 30 stripers per day since last weekend on the Feather River near Shanghai Bend", related Brock. "Nothing too big, mostly schoolie-size up to about seven pounds. The larger fish won't start to arrive until it warms up a little more.

"Best baits for us have been pile worms, but folks have also been catching fish on cut sardines, live minnows, and trolling lures. The bite on the Feather should stay good, and possibly get even better. The Sacramento's flows may come down enough by next week to allow things to get going over there."

"All of the stripers have empty bellies right now, and are feeding on whatever they can find. The way we are rigging the pile worms is to thread an entire worm onto a size 1 Owner Mosquito hook, then use a regular drifting setup and 2.5 foot leader with about three ounces of weight.

"Trollers are using P-Line Predator Minnows in rainbow or red-head colors, with a 6-inch white plastic worm trailer on the back hook. Sardine baits are wrapped around a long-shank hook, and a little Pro-Cure sardine oil also helps.

"We are using baitcasting reels with 12-pound main line and 10-pound leaders, but fluorocarbon leader material is not necessary. Be sure to change the bait often, and give the fish time to eat it. When the line gets heavy, then set the hook.

Brock added, "Best areas are in fairly shallow water near sand bars. The flows on the Feather are high, and are expected to stay high".