Boats in the water - check, docks afloat - check, Misty Falls (the DingleBerry creek waterfall) is arippin' - check, the first DFG stocking of the season - check, the Lake coming up about 2 feet a day - check, the parking lot full - check, the trees are a'bloomin' - check, the skeeters that could carry your firstborn away - check - the 2011 Season at Lake Sabrina Boat Landing has officially begun - a month or so late, but we're not complaining - it's here!

This week at Lake Sabrina you had to fish for the fish - some did well others not so well. Those of you liking to still fishing try using NightCrawlers, Salmon Eggs, or PowerBait. Those out in a boat trolling might try flashers and a NightCrawler or a Thomas Buoyant lure and you all know the tried and true color for our Lake - Red & Gold and those of you also out in a boat that like the peace and quiet might try drifting NightCrawlers. The Inlets are pretty much roaring with water and people, if one inlet is packed try another, please be respectful of those that are already there. There's fish all over this Lake and you might discover a new great hole!

We had a number of nice catches this week, Zachary Jones (5 yrs) of Tempe, AZ caught his very first fish ever at Lake Sabrina using a NightCrawler. Jerica Stroing & Ginette Vandal of 1000 Oaks and Newport Beach were "Feeding the Family" using Salmon Eggs. Brad Laddusaw of Phillips Ranch landed a nice 2-3/4 Alper with Salmon Eggs. Chris & son Moses Salem of Temecula limited out using gold lures and Tony & son Tyler of Lake Forest also limited out using Red & Gold Thomas Buoyants. Then there was the private fishing tournament - The Table Mountain Annual Fishing Invitational - participants (neighbors, siblings, college friends) from Santa Barbara, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Corona, Riverside & San Luis Obispo met at Lake Sabrina on Saturday - the winner: David Baker - biggest overall fish. I guess another winner of the group would be Scott who proposed to Cynthia and we think she said "YES"! CONGRATULATIONS Scott and Cynthia!

The water is coming up fast and we're now starting to look like Lake Sabrina and, along with the Lake coming up, so are the Sucker fish - DON'T BE FOOLED! They're the ones with the ugly mouth.

All the campgrounds in the Bishop Creek Canyon are open. The only campground to take reservations is Four Jeffery (www.reserveamerica.com and enter Four Jeffrey) all others are first come first serve. There is a full hook-up campground also on the South Lake road, Creekside RV Park. Remember to take it easy on all the mountain roads, the deer are on the move and there's lots of hikers out there.

The George Creek continues its powerful course down the mountain, crossing the Blue Lake trail into the Sabrina Basin. It's one of the first creek crossings you come to and one misstep and you'll have quite a jaunt down the mountain and into the Lake over quite a few rocks.

Lo the Lion-Hearted finally got his new do - thought I was going to have to put him on a diet (as you know he loves fries - but please let me monitor his intake), but after Rick shaved him - he's pretty much skin and bones and so very much cooler and happier.

The water rose enough for the Department of Fish and Game to give us a load of fish and that they did on Friday - Thanks, DFG! It should become a regular happin' thing now at the Lake!

The temps finally supplied enough heat to bring out the blossoms - we've got flowers on the CrabApple tree, the Red Delicious Apple and Yellow Delicious are in bloom as is the White Lilac on the small trail down to the launch ramp and Yellow Columbines behind the white picket fence outside the front door. And best not forget the purple flower on the Chives. Temps are expected to remain in the mid 70's for highs and the high 40's for lows. 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. REMEMBER A JACKET - IT TENDS TO BE BETWEEN 25 AND 30 DEGREES COOLER AT THE LAKE.

Like I said the skeeters have returned with a vengeance - remember when applying bug juice, sunscreen, SANITIZER or any other FU-FU juice, WASH YOUR HANDS! The juice you apply will taint your tackle and bait. You know it tastes yucky, the fish think it tastes yucky, too, although have you ever tasted PowerBait or Worms - to each their own.