Lake Sabrina is ice-free, but still low. Not much of a run-off yet. What would you expect with temps this weekend not getting above freezing? Had a bit of snow thru the week with nothing sticking then, but today (Sunday) we woke to 10 inches of snow and the wind-chill temps at 5 degrees. Yes, you read that correct five degrees, but that didn't stop the two Georges from braving the weather early this morning to fish. And yes, they did catch fish.

Fishing was decent this week again. With snow and wind and the temps in the teens, it still did not stop those that needed to fish. The farther back the fishermen trekked, the better the fishing got. Using Night Crawlers, Salmon Eggs or Crickets (pick those up in Bishop) was working the best. Just ask the 3 friends that hiked to the DingleBerry Inlet and with Rick's Helpful Hints caught all kinds of fish. Steve Muhlethaler (Beverly Hills - the slum area), Lee Patterson (Oxford, Mississippi - long way from home) Greg Hinchman (Arroyo Grande) had lots of fun Saturday fishing the lake. With the lake ice-free you can now fish behind what is normally the island. Just watch where you walk and watch out for those ice shelves.

The lake is still coming up slowly. Rick says we'll have boats for rent later this week. Temps for next week are up and down with a new storm due in Tuesday night and Wednesday. Not sure if there is something coming in over next weekend, but you can check www.weather.gov and enter Aspendell, CA on the site and it will give you a fairly good hint at the weather or check in with Howard at www.MammothWeather.com

Looks like all the campgrounds will be open for Mule Day Weekend. The price this year to camp at the Forestry camp grounds are $21.00. The only USFS campground that accepts reservations is Four Jeffery. There 31 sites available for reservations: you can book on-line at www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. All other campsites at Four Jeffery and the other campgrounds are first come, first served. There is a full hook-up RV campground - Creekside RV park which is on the road to South Lake.

The roads to North Lake and South Lake are now open. Just be careful in the morning due to ice on the roads. Also, take it easy on Hwy 168, the deer are moving around and darting across the road. We've heard about quite a few vehicle verses deer accidents in the Canyon and saw the results on the truck - not pretty.

Remember your polarized dark glasses and sunscreen. You've got that sun coming at you in all directions and the rays from the snow are deadly! Also, you need to wash your hands when after applying sunscreen, bug juice or any other fu-fu juice. The juice you apply will taint your tackle and bait. You know it tastes yucky, the fish think it tastes yucky too.

Lake Sabrina Boat Landing is going to summer hours even though it still looks like winter out there. That means we'll be opening at 7:00am and stay open until 7:00pm. The Café is now open daily for Breakfast at 7:00am to 11:00am with Lunch being served from 11:00am to 4:00pm. We have HOMEMADE pie, sodas, beer, wine, coffee, tea and hot cocoa. Bryan from last year returns Monday for the summer. So the crew is here and looking forward to seeing you all this year.