Go away W-I-N-D! Fishing this week was on the slow slide what with the W-I-N-D. We've decided not to say that word for a while - we'll just spell that four letter word! Not many anglers venturing out.

Let's get into the ugly - Fishing and catching were on the slow side this week. Excuses, I mean possible reasons - Full Moon, W-I-N-D, the build-up of Thunder-bumper clouds, W-I-N-D, you all held your tongue the wrong way, W-I-N-D - if you have any other 'reasons' let me know, I sure there'll be another slow catching day. Did I mention the W-I-N-D?

Fishing the Little George or DinglerBerry Inlets was the place to go, even if you didn't catch fish cuz you were out of the W-I-N-D. Those fishing back there were using NightCrawlers, PowerBait and PowerWorms - you know the usual. There were a few anglers having some luck using flys. Those fishermen that tried trolling in this W-I-N-D were using flashers and a NightCrawler or small Rapala's by the rock piles. And it was almost like the drifters were trolling (what with the W-I-N-D) past the rock piles using NightCrawlers or PowerBait. Shore anglers were fishing NightCrawlers or PowerBait. The Dam fishermen fished a lot in the Aspens behind the dam this week.

Kiley Denembo of Fountain Valley landed one of the 2-pound Alpers stocked by Southern California Edison a couple of weeks ago as did Dave Moore of Rancho Cucamonga. THANKS AGAIN, SCE! There are plenty of those Alpers still to catch. The Department of Fish and Game stocked the Lake Monday with a bunch of pan-size fish.

The Lake is still plum-full and spilling and not just because the W-I-N-D is splashing it over. SCE tells us the plans are to keep it up this year (unless you all down in SoCal use too much water and need extra) to about September, then glub, glub, glub, but that just means less lake for the fish to swim in.

Lots more flowers popping in Rick's garden as well as all over Bishop Creek Canyon - almost as pretty as the fall colors. North Lake HAD a field of Iris (oh,man) - Rick got there a couple of days late - could you just imagine the color a few day earlier (oh,man)?? The yellow Mule Ears flower popped this week along with a few pink BeaverTail cacti out on the Big Island - maybe we should name that Rick's Rock. The Wild Roses underneath the CrabApple Tree have started showing some pink blossoms. We, also, have a new sign on the Aspens in Rick's Garden 'Welcoming you all to the Lake' from the Smith Family - the Family that build the Lake Sabrina building some 45 odd years ago - Thank you, Linda!

The SKEETERS are still out in force especially around the shore of the lake and in the back country - Rick calls them our 'Back-Country Protectors'. The temps were in the mid 70s for highs and the mid 40s for lows and W-I-N-D. Haven't had a chance to hear Howard at www.MammothWeather.com so you can try his website 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.

Not sure if I'll get the webpage up-dated or a fishing report out to you cuz I'll be out of town over the weekend. I'll try Saturday morning, but NO promises - I hope I'm too busy at the lake! J

* * * 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! ! ! !

She's here - Samantha - Sam for short (Juanita's grand-daughter) is here and will be working Monday and Tuesday - WOOHOOO! ! !

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! Juanita, Rick, Patti, Samantha, Bryan and Linda.