Can you believe it’s the middle of August? Looks like most the kids are heading back to school next week or the following and then its Labor Day Weekend and the Tri-County State Fair (don’t forget FREE Fishing day on Saturday, September 3). We’ve got yellow showing in the Aspens across from the Lake in several locations and the Lake is starting its downward trek – losing about 6” a day and it’s taking a wee bit longer for the sun to hit the building in the morning. “Watch out for photographers” time is near! Looks like Fall is quickly approaching!

The catching part of fishing is still going gang busters. Fishing the Inlets with Garlic –Scented PowerBait, NightCrawlers or Red & Gold Thomas Buoyants. Trolling a Dave Davis Flasher and a NightCrawler (yup, going old school) or just a NightCrawler (that’s Rick’s preferred method). If you’re trolling lead core line you might want to try a NeedleFish or Thomas Buoyant at about 6 colors. Drift around the rock piles (some are starting to peak out of the water) or shoreline with NightCrawlers or PowerBait. Shore fishing with Salmon Eggs, NightCrawlers PowerBait or try tossing lures. DFW loaded the Lake with another great stocking on Wednesday.

Ruben Bustamante caught a very nice 3-1/2 pound Rainbow that he claims he weighed on a digital scale. Sure is pretty fish – thanks for the picture, Ruben! And news alert, Jack VanDam finally caught a fish!

We’ve been seeing more and more of the Bald Eagles, both PaPa & MaMa and the juvenile and the Ospreys are still diving into the Lake for their meals. No sign of the bear lately, but we have heard of a mountain lion sighting with kittens toward the back of the Lake.

Looks like we might have a slight chance of some ThunderBoomers in the forecast for next weekend. Temps are in the upper 70’s at the start of the week and drop to the low 70’s over the weekend. Lows start out in the upper 40’s and only drop to the mid 40’s for the weekend. PACK YOUR RAINGEAR, just in case! You can check out the weather forecast according to Howard our local weather ‘guesser’ at www.MammothWeather.com. You can also check out www.weather.gov – enter Aspendell, CA (which is the little community right below Lake Sabrina) in the search field and you’ll get the forecast for at the higher elevation. You may need to scroll down on the webpage to see the temps.

They just won’t go away those pesky skeeters. Just when you think they’re gone, you wake up with a gigantic skeeter bite - might want to make sure you bring your bug juice - plan accordingly. When using the bug juice, try not to get it on your hands – you’ll transfer it to your bait and the fish just don’t like bug juice or sunscreen or lotion or cologne or perfume. Wash your hands in the stream or Lake to get it off, and then use some fish attractant on your hands. If you’re coming to the Lake, don’t forget sunscreen and dark glasses –the snow and sun makes it pretty bright against the blue sky. DON’T FORGET THAT JACKET.

With Fall just around the corner, thought we’d let you know the Fall hours for Lake Sabrina and the Café.

Store Hours:

Monday thru Thursday 8:00am to 6:00pm
Friday thru Sunday 7:00am to 7:00pm

Café Hours:

Monday thru Wednesday 8:00am to 4:00pm
Thursday CLOSED
Friday thru Sunday 7:00am to 4:00pm

People, sure would be nice if y’all would pick up your trash when you leave. It’s really not that hard. Just sayin! If you need something to put it in, come into the store and we’ll give you a bag.

A pet peeve – if you catch a big fish or a limit just to have your picture taken for the webpage and then try and give your fish away – we won’t post your picture, but then again we may post it as ‘WASTER OF A PERFECTLY GOOD FISH TO EAT’! Crimp down your barbs, take a picture on the boat and release it for another day.

If you’re hiking stay safe out there. Remember to leave a note about your destination and approximate return time and a clothing description. And you might want to hike with a buddy.

Fishing etiquette is becoming a bit of a problem at the Lake and we don’t like problems. If you come upon someone fishing, please don’t fish right next to them – take a bit of hike farther down and don’t cast over into their spot. Same at the Inlet, there are so many areas to fish on this Lake go find another ‘soon to be’ favorite spot.