Where Buzz Ramsey will be on Opening Day

[Buzz Ramsey]

Opening day is not too far away and California's April 28 Opener will find me at Convict Lake in the High Sierra Mountains, not far from Bishop California. This area, with dozens and dozens of lakes is a trout fishing mecca. I'm planning to trailer my drift boat there and visit Convict, June, Gull and other lakes during my 4 day stay. I fished this area during last year's opener but was restricted to only fishing Crowley Lake due to taking my 24' Willie Sled, which I couldn't get into the boat ramps of the smaller lakes like Convict. I have posted a story about that trip and what worked best for High Sierra trout.

[VanDaddy]

Convict Lake is a beautiful place, like the rest of the Eastern Sierra. When I lived in Southern Cal (I probably should not have admitted that - I grew up in Oregon and have now come back to my senses and the Pacific NW) my favorite weekend activity was to leave. I would usually go to the Eastern Sierra. I have fished Convict Lake on opening day. The weather can be unpredictable in April at that elevation. A nice side trip when fishing Convict on opening day is to check out nearby Rock Creek Lake. If the road is clear to the lake, you can hike in the last 100 yards or so to the still frozen over Lake at 9,500 ft. I was pleased to find people out ICE FISHING in CALIFORNIA. I think the local lodge cuts holes in the ice or bring your own auger. I caught a mess of trout through the ice that was 11 inches thick the year I went. It was also a sunny day with many people wearing no shirt while ice fishing. It was quite a site.


The Eastern Sierra is different the North West, but beautiful and worth a visit

[VanDaddy]

I found an old shoebox with some photo negatives and ran them throught my HP scanner. I found these gems from about 10 years ago:

Convict Lake on opening day:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CVL4.jpg

As mentioned above, a fun option on opening day after you fish Covnict is to visit nearby Rock Creek Lake:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/RCL2.jpg

Notice in the background the guy behind me on the right with no shirt (Nice Day!) and the guy on the left with the ice auger.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/RCL5.jpg

Another close by and nice option is the Owens river above Lake Crowley
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/ORV2.jpg

I have caught nice trout out of all three locations.