Hello fellow anglers, I can't tell you how exciting this time of year is. Many of the local rivers have opened for fishing, the higher lakes are thawing, and most important is the local kids fishing derby's are only a month away. First event will be the Lampe Park Kids derby on June 2nd and 3rd and is open to young anglers ages 3-12. You will need to preregister  for the free event, you can do this in the Walgreen's parking lot on Saturdays between 10 am and 1 pm. You may also register at Acolades Trophies, Engraving & Gifts in Gardnerville Monday though Friday during regular business hours. Sign ups for volunteers will also be taken at both locations. Registration forms may be obtained by calling Heather Gertsch at [email protected]. Volunteers can contact Laura Lonero at 775-430-0592- [email protected]. If you would like to become a sponsor you can contact Steve Hamilton at 775-392-3579 or email him at [email protected]. Now on June 2nd there will be the Sawmill Ponds Kids derby located in South Lake Tahoe 2.5 miles west of the Y on the corner of Lake Tahoe Blvd and Sawmill Rd. This derby is open to young anglers 14 years of age and younger. There is no preregistration required for the event and will run from 8am to 12 noon. For more information call Victor Babbitt at the Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters at 530-541-8208. What a way to spend a weekend with the kids. You can go to Sawmill Pond on Saturday and preregister to fish Lampe Park on Sunday. Both of these events are oriented to introduce the sport of fishing and bringing families together to enjoy the great outdoors. Speaking of outdoors. Many of us will be starting to get out and do some camping in our surrounding areas. Remember that you need to obtain a California campfire permit. You can get one at the visitors center in Alpine County CA, or you can go online to wildfireca.org/campfire-permit. You will watch a video and answer some questions correctly. You will then be able to print out your permit. Permits are valid until the end of the 2018 calender year. One last thing to make a note of, this time of year is when snakes are starting to come out. I am talking about rattlesnakes. They are not just seen at  lower lying areas, they are in the East Carson River area all the way up past highway 4 Wolf Creek area. Don't let altitude fool you, always be aware of the area around you. Now for a look at our local fishing area.