Man, oh, man, what a weekend. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous - a bit on the cool side - 16 ? at 7:00am and it took quite a while for it to hit our high of 32 ? on Saturday, but that didn't stop those fisherpeople who couldn't wait to wet a line. Lots of those line-wetters couldn't believe the fishing. Many had limits before 8:00am and came in for Breakfast as their trucks were blocked and they couldn't get out of the lot.

Father and son, Don and John McLaughlin, spent their 38th year out on the ice for opener. Dragging a power auger, out at 6:00am to the back natural lake, they drilled over 30 holes and caught and released 120 fish - Father Don and son John - tied this year 60 to 60. Just about anything that hit the water was swallowed - many anglers wanted to get down deep thinking they might pick up a Brown, but the hook was snagged by a Rainbow or Brookie before it hit bottom. Some complained that their beer froze cuz the fish just wouldn't leave their line alone - boo-hoo. Another comment was "it only took 30 seconds between catches". WOW! ! !

No huge fish, but plenty hold-over fish in excess of 2 pounds came out - Randy Garcia (3 yrs old) of Bishop reeled in a Rainbow almost as big as him - weighing in at 1-3/4 pounds - way to bring in dinner for the family Randy!

Forest Service and the campground hosts worked hard to get the campgrounds available for Opening Weekend. BitterBrush, Big Trees, Four Jeffery and the Forks are all open.

Didn't hear of anyone this year going thru the ice, but as the weather warms, please be careful - also, remember your polarized dark glasses and sunscreen - we saw a few anglers that looked a bit like cooked lobster. You've got that sun coming at you in ALL directions and the rays from the snow are deadly!

Looks like temps are going to warm up toward next weekend - not good for ice fishing, but good for opening up the Lake. Doesn't look like any of that nasty w-i-n-d due in like we had this past week - gusts up to 51mph - thought the 5th-wheel was going to tip over. 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.

LakeSabrina Boat Landing will serve Breakfast from 7:00am to 11:00am and Lunch until 4:00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for now.