Another gorgeous weekend, but was it cold during the week. With lows in the single digits and gusts of wind up to 56mph, not much fishing got done at the lake this week. But then the weekend returned along with sun.

With the high winds during the week, Edison came to a decision not to work on the dam this year, so the lake is on the rise - sort of. With the still cool night temps, not much melting is occurring, but there is enough to see pockets of water starting to form in the boulder field at the bottom of the lake. As the water coming into the lake is 'warmer' than the ice and the ice in lots smaller pieces than it would have been if Edison had not taken the lake down, the front third of the lake will be going ice-free a bit sooner than the back two-thirds which still has about a 3 foot layer of ice on it. JUST WATCH WHERE YOU WALK - WATCH OUT FOR THOSE ICE SHELVES.

The small pond on the lake side of the dam pretty much got fished out over opening weekend. Quite a few anglers made the 1-1/4 mile trek across the natural lakes to get to the DingleBerry Inlet (back right hand side of the lake) for some spectacular fishing - there's about 20 feet of open water. Once again, anything that moved got a hit. So what I'm saying is you can still throw just about anything at those fish. Quite a few stringers were seen drug across the ice on their way to a nice hot skillet.

Not only was the fishing spectacular, so were the views. And to sit in the back when the sun hits the ice and the noise that emanates from Lake is something to behold - loud-sounding cracks that echo across the lake and the moaning when ice shelves slide against each other - like I said - something to behold.

The following campgrounds are open in the Bishop Creek Canyon - BitterBrush, Big Trees, Four Jeffery and the Forks. The price this year to camp at the Forestry campgrounds are $21.00. The only USFS campground that accepts reservations is Four Jeffery. There 31 sites available for reservations: you can book on-line at www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. All other campsite at Four Jeffery and the other campgrounds are first come, first served. There is a full hook-up RV campground - Creekside RV park which is on the road to South Lake.

The roads to North Lake and South Lake are still impassable due to snow and ice. But there are new residents under the bridge at the North Lake road - beavers and what a new home they have built. Stop by and take a peek.

Haven't heard of anyone this year going thru the ice - yet, 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 winter may be on the way out - well at least we don't have snow in the forecast for next week. Some breezes on Monday and Tuesday with the highs expected to be in the mid 50s (but if there is a breeze - don't forget to facture in the wind-chill. Wednesday and Thursday a bit cooler with highs in the mid 40 and lows in the low 20s. Friday they're saying low 50s, so maybe spring is on its way. 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 open on Saturday, April 24th, at 7:00am and will serve Breakfast until 11:00am and Lunch until 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Cafe will close during the week and re-open on Friday at 8:00am. The store hours are as follows:

Sunday 7:00 to 6:00 pm
Monday 8:00 to 6:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 to 6:00 pm
Wednesday CLOSED
Thursday 8:00 to 6:00 pm
Friday 8:00 to 6:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 to 6:00 pm

And, of course, we'll have HOMEMADE pie, sodas, beer, wine, coffee, tea and hot cocoa!

We're looking forward to seeing you all this year!