As the week of the massive mudslide of last year approached so did this year’s monsoonal weather and the first ThunderBoomer of the season. We missed the anniversary date by one day with the first summer rain coming in on Tuesday. We did have a few sprinkles on Monday the actual anniversary and a few individuals that spent the night in the parking lot last year came by to reminisce.

We had a few more big fish caught over the week even thru the ThunderBoomers. William Goodman (7 y.o.) with help from his right hand net man, Broc Fishman (what a GREAT name) landed a nice 3-1/2 pounder using a jig – and these two are anglers for life! Vonda Solomko brought in a respectable 4-pound RainBow using a Rapala. Buck Sanchez brought in a whopper of a fish weighing in at 5-1/2 pounds. Pinched Garlic Worms and Spinners were the name of the game for Karl – 3-1/8 pound, Rich – 2-3/4 pound and Steve – 3 pound fish for dinner.

Once again, pretty much the same things are working on the Lake, but we’ll add Gulp Pinched Garlic Worms to the list this week. So we’ve got NightCrawlers, Rapalas, Mini-Jigs, PowerBait, MiceTails and Spinners to the list this week. And where you ask – pretty much everywhere – DingleBerry Inlet, Little George Inlet, George Inlet, drifting the Lake, in front of the Dam and around the rock piles.

It’s a pet peeve of mine that 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.

Exciting times on Thursday, we had a big Black Bear trying to get in to the Dumpster – Rick scared it off with the aid of an air horn and that bear hasn’t been back. Earlier in the day, we had four deer come up the back of the dam. The Eagles are still flying and reports of the Osprey have been heard.

KEEPING THESE ITEMS FROM LAST WEEK

Boy are the wildflowers blooming – Penstomens – both wild and hybrid, Indian PaintBrush, Columbine, Lilacs, Lillies and lots of yellow and purple flowers that I have no idea what their names would be. If any of you amateur botanist or hippies have a clue – fill me in!

Just an FYI – We have no clue on when the Fall colors will start. With the late Winter and late Spring and late Summer, who knows, we certainly don’t.

Still big issues with skeeters, 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.

Fishing etiquette is once again 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.

Hikers:

Bishop Pack Outfitters are finally able to get on the trail making sure its passable – shoring up a washout, moving trees and rocks off the trail, please have respect for them if you meet them on the trail with stock animal – always take the low road so if a mule is spooked it will go to the high side and not down into the Lake as what happened a few years ago.

If you’re planning on hiking – PLEASE BE PREPARED – hike with a buddy – leave a note on where you’re headed – when you’re expected back – what you’re wearing – take plenty of water & food – dress in layers – you’ll start out cool, but will probably warm up – CHECK THE WEATHER! Not only is your life on the line, so are the Search and Rescue Teams. Also, if you meet stock on the trail, please go to the low-side, that way if the mules are startled they’ll go to the high side and not down the canyon.

Looks like our ThunderBoomers have come and gone at least for the time being. Here is the forecast for the week from www.weather.gov (enter Aspendell, CA in the search and scroll down to see the temps).