Spring has returned and along with the warmer temps, the bite is back. Doug from Bentonwas heard to exclaim ??? "You could throw anything at them and they'd go for it!" Even some of the BIG Alpers got into the buffet.

Jason Speed of Agoura landed a 4-1/2 pound Alper on Orange PowerBait while Lee Bell of Bishop caught a nice 3-3/4 pounder on Rainbow Gulp. Then we heard Doran Follis of Santa Ana brought in a beaut of a 3-3/4 Alper. Father and son team, Brad and Max Garrett along with fishin' buddy Darren Colton earned a place on the "Board of BIG Fish" harnessing a 5-pound lunker on PowerBait ??? Brad being the catcher, Max and Darren whoopin' and a hollerin' for support! Husband and wife team Tim and Lori Carnahan of SkyValley had a very productive weekend. Tim catching the first yellow tagged fish out of Lake Sabrina ??? a nice 3 pound Alper on a Gold Kastmaster, while Lori fought hard for her 3-1/4 pound hook-jaw BROWN using a Rapala.

Speaking of that yellow tagged fish ??? you can still register for the BISHOP CREEKCANYON SUMMER CLASSIC TAGGED TROUT DERBY. Rainbows (Alpers) ranging in size from 2-1/2 pounds up to 8-1/2 pounds were stocked in the stillwaters a week ago Sunday ??? that would be LAKE SABRINA, SOUTH LAKE, INTAKE II, NORTH LAKE and WEIR POND (and that would be the little pond below South Lake) courtesy of Bishop Chamber of Commerce of INYO COUNTY ??? Thanks INYO! You can register at the following locations: Lake Sabrina Boat Landing, Parchers' Resort, South Lake Landing, Bishop Creek Lodge, Creekside RV Park, Cardinal Village Resort, Culvers, Macs, Owens River Fly Shop and Bishop Chamber of Commerce.

The Paiute Palace and Adopt-a-Creek is sponsoring the "CASH OF THE DAY" where the waters of INTAKE II, NORTH LAKE and the BISHOP CANYON CREEKS will be stocked with tagged fish redeemable at the Piute Palace for CASH. No registration required ??? just fishin' and catchin'.

The Dingleberry Inlet is still producing lots of action. Just free-lining Salmon eggs or a worm into the current and letting it float on down. (Free-lining is just you, your pole, your hook and your bait ??? no weight, no bubble, no bobber, no swivel, no nothin'.) The LittleGeorge Inlet (the one in the back left corner) generated lots of action for those not able to get into the Dingleberry Inlet, in fact, that's where the 5-pounder was snagged. Those trollers drug around gold Kastmaster and the always popular Red ???n Gold Thomas Buoyant. Dropping NightCrawlers and PowerBait around the rock piles sent plenty of poles a bobbin'. Remember if you put on any bug juice or foo-foo juice ??? wash your hands before baiting up ??? they contaminate your bait!

The lake is once again on the rise and for you private boaters, the water is up to the ramp. We've had a bit of pine pollen showing (that's the lime yellowish-greenish stuff on top of the water) and Rick thinks the lake is about ready to turn ??? meaning the warm water on the bottom comes to the top causing the water to look a bit on the murky side. The Department of Fish and Game stocked on Thursday.

The temperatures are going to fluctuate. One day warm, the next cool, BUT NO WIND in the forecast. I know the early morning temps have been dropping a bit ??? Friday morning it was 56 at about 7:00am, Saturday am was 43 and Sunday am was 37, but the days were pleasant. Hopefully, no snow due in until October, but you never know. You may want to check out Howard's forecast at www.MammothWeather.com.

Remember your sunscreen, dark glasses and bug juice as we have a few of those pesky skeeters making an appearance. Ponchos may also be needed this weekend - you never know!

ALWAYS PACK A JACKET! ! ! !

Lo finally got his lion cut this week. His whole personality changes ??? he thinks he soooo special with his new doo and we all know he is special. Nimrod took his first boat ride of the season ??? all went well until it was time to get back on the boat at the back of the lake. He wouldn't get on the boat or let Rick catch him. He'd run 5 feet from Rick, fall down and as soon as Rick took a step toward him, he was off another 5 feet ??? Let the games begin! Hi is just alayin' around, giving a yap to let us know another dog is around.

Here's the info on the Trout Derby:

BISHOP CREEK CANYON SUMMER CLASSIC TAGGED TROUT DERBY
Sponsored by Bishop Chamber of Commerce of Inyo County
June 1st through June 30th, 2008

Entry Fee - $5 per angler
Kids 12 & under - Free

Tagged Alpers Trout were stocked in the STILLWATER fisheries of the canyon on June 1, 2008:
Lake Sabrina, South Lake, North Lake, Intake II and Weir Lake (the pond below SouthLake)

Tagged fish will be redeemable for cash prizes from $50 to $500. There are 5 tags worth $500 out there.

In addition to the tagged fish, all registered participants are entered in a raffle to be held at the end of the Derby. Raffle prizes include a $500 prize, a $500 Fall Fishing package, a beautiful trout wood carving - courtesy of High Sierra Wood Carvings and other tackle and bait sponsors.

Huge loads of Alpers Trophy Fish were stocked in area lakes to keep the fishing FANTASTIC during the month of June.

Sponsors thus far: LIP RIPPERZ, BERKLEY, OKUMA, FISH TACO CHRONICLES, HIGH SIERRA WOODCARVINGS, BISHOP CREEK LODGE,
PARCHERS RESORT, CARDINALVILLAGE, SOUTH LAKE LANDING, LAKE SABRINA BOAT LANDING and ADOPT-A-CREEK

Hope to see you all soon!