Once again, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers this past week during the fire. We understand that there were approximately 30 lightening-started fires Saturday between Bodie and Lone Pine. Our fire, the Forks Fire, had burned 3,268 acres north and northwest of Bishop Canyon as of Wednesday; there were as many as 17 hand crews, 25 engines, 6 helicopters, a water tender and air tankers available on demand according to the Inyo Register. We would like to say thank you to all the fire fighters and the local volunteer groups which manned evacuation centers. A few crews made it up to the lake toward the end of the week while they were on stand-by - US Forestry Little Tujunga HotShots and a crew from Bakersfield BLM. Thanks again, guys!

Fishing this week remained slow - we're thinking maybe the warm weather. Those bringing in stringers were having luck trolling using flashers and a NightCrawler or a Hellgrammite (an 'ugly' bug that hides under rocks in the creek - you need to get them yourself). If you're fishing the inlets, get your NightCrawler, Cricket (bought in town) or PowerBait down in deep water. Drifting NightCrawlers or PowerBait - down deep. Fishing from shore, once again, it's NightCrawlers, Salmon Eggs or PowerBait. The fish are liken' cool, cool waters, so fish deep. Department of Fish and Game double stocked the lake Thursday (as we didn't get a stock the week before - we're watching out for ya'll!) with pan-sized Rainbow Trout.

Wonder of wonders, the lake is still spilling! Not sure how much longer though. With temperatures in the mid 70s for highs and mid 40s for lows, the snow pack is a-melting down, but the lake did rise about 3 inches over the week due to the heavy thunderstorm downpours at times. There is still a chance for afternoon thunder bumpers for the next few days.

Didn't get a chance to meander through Rick's Garden looking for more flowers, so no new blossom pictures. Hopefully, that will happen this week barring any unforeseen circumstances or mandatory evacuations. We did have 'something' in the trash last Saturday night - Rick thinks it may have been Yogi (or his twin brother), it took a bag and up the mountain he went. We haven't seen it again - yet, but play it safe and practice the "Forestry Bear Food Rules".

The SKEETERS are still nastier then ever especially around the shore of the lake and in the back country - Rick calls them our 'Back-Country Protectors'. Their bite will even go through your jeans. OUCH! Howard is once again on vacation, but you can access his weather guides at www.MammothWeather.com or try this website for a pretty good weather guess for the Bishop Creek Canyon area, www.weather.gov, enter ASPENDELL, CALIFORNIA, in the search area and that will give you information about the weather in the small community you pass just before getting to Lake Sabrina.

* * * NEWS FLASH * * * Verizon has removed the payphone out in front of Lake Sabrina Boat Landing. Cardinal Village will be your closest option as not very many cell phone providers work in the area; Bishop Creek Lodge, Parchers Resort and Creekside RV Park are your other choices

With the return of warmer weather the skeeters have returned, so remember the bug juice and COMMIT TO MEMORY, IF YOU PUT ON BUG JUICE, SUN SCREEN OR FOO FOO JUICE, WASH YOUR HANDS! THEN RUB THEM IN WORM GOO, TROUT ATTRACTANT OR POWERBAIT - GET THE OTHER SCENT OFF!

Also, don't forget your sunscreen and dark glasses, the glare on the water is soooo bright, they just might blind your eyeballs. PONCHOS or COATS MAY ALSO BE NEEDED - YOU NEVER KNOW!

ALWAYS PACK A JACKET! ! ! !

You all have a great week and if the stress gets too great, you all know where to come to get some relief! But, remember you don't need to be stressed to come. WE JUST WANT TO SEE YOU SOON!