Lake Sabrina is full and spilling for the first time since 2011 and what a beautiful sight to see. The docks are hooked to the ramps and we’ve actually had a bit of flooding down by the block wall. Had a bit of smoke in from the Lake Isabella fire over the weekend with the south breezes we’ve had, but today (Monday) all is fine. Temp’s about 79 degrees with a slight breeze from the south and big fluffy white clouds and the bluest sky ever – should I go on?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Catching is catching on – Lots of limits coming out over the weekend (once the winds let up). NightCrawlers, Salmon Eggs, PowerBait and Jigs are all working at the Inlets. Drifting NightCrawlers by the rock piles (which are now underwater) are also bringing in limits. Trolling is finally picking up with flashers and a NightCrawler or you might try pulling a Thomas Buoyant or just a swivel, splitshot and NightCrawler (DON’T FORGET THE SWIVEL). Now with the Lake up to its gills, finding a place to fish from shore is at a premium – but remember the dam – lots of dam fisherman this week. Many were using NightCrawlers, PowerBait and Lures.

Lot of family and friends catching limits this week. Chris and Lexi Voeltner along with Mike Greenwood and Phil Moores all limited out using NightCrawlers, Salmon Eggs and Thomas Buoyants (sound familiar?). Phil Moores went back for more and more he caught – a nice 3 pound Rainbow using a Red/Gold Thomas Buoyant. The Levindofske Family was out for fish – Dad Mike caught two nice trout – a 4-pounder and a 3-1/4 pounder on Salmon Eggs back at the Inlet. Twins Michael and Jacob along with Mom Jessica helped bring them all in along with a couple of extras! Another group of family and friends, JB Feaster along with Stella, Milo and Jess Muehlhausen brought in limits using Pinched Gulp Crawlers and Rainbow PowerBait. It was the 13th Annual TMAFI FishFest – a group of family, friends and neighbors competing every year for bragging rights – this year’s winners were Bryson Barnes with a 2-3/4 pounder on a NightCrawler and Jon Bartel with a 2-1/2 pounder on a Yellow Rooster. Sabrina Garcia was one of the Dam Fisherman pulling up a nice Rainbow caught on a MiceTail. Grandpa Gene Case brought the young’uns up for some fishing lessons and boy did he do a great job – Liz and Isaiah were in on the lessons, but it was Amirah Case that brought in a 3-1/2 Rainbow on a NightCrawler. Good job to all that brought home dinner. DFW have gone to the weekly stockings – got a nice one last Friday.

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’! 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. The trails are starting to clear of the snow.

The House Wrens update: The House Wren babies have hatched. Keep an eye out for the Mama & Papa – they’re on a mission to feed their babies – almost got hit by them a couple of times. The juvenile Bald Eagle’s tail has turned a beautiful white, not much longer we will consider him a juvenile – keep your eyes open!

And, we’ve got wildflowers starting to bloom. We’ve got Purple and Pink Penstemons, White Flowering Phlox, Purple Lilacs and lots of Yellow Flowers.

Well, the Skeeters didn’t get taken out by the cold or the wind; they are here and here with a vengeance. Heard they were particularly nasty up at the North Lake campground, at the back of the Lake and in the backcountry – 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.

Looks like Summer is here to stay and with Summer comes periodic afternoon ThunderBoomers. We have a chance of those thru Friday, so pack those ponchos and don’t forget a jacket. Temps are expected to be in the high 70s and the lows in the high 40s. 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.

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.