Sierra Opener / Ice Breakers

I covered the Eastern Sierra trout opener this weekend. Here's the scoop:

Opening day:
Heavy stringers at Convict Lake topped by an 8-5 rainbow. Best fishing early. Very little snow, no ice.
Crowley, lots of fish opening day. Bite tailed off on Sunday-Monday.
Mammoth Lakes - road closed past Twin Lakes. Slow fishing. Upper lakes, good ice fishing at Lake George (3.5' of ice) - ice unsafe at other lakes.
June loop, slow fishing. Best another 8-5.

Now the fun part. I fished Virginia Lakes with a Mammoth local on Monday. About 2/3 of the lake was still coverd with ice. I think the pictures tell the story just fine:

 

That is nuts, and looks like a nique adventure.

However, but I am giving your partner a D- for fishing near ice with no PFD...that is 100% no bueno.

I LOVE fishing Virginia Lakes! Awesome fishing.
Thanks for the report and pics,
PK

However, but I am giving your partner a D- for fishing near ice with no PFD...that is 100% no bueno.

I was wearing neoprene waders with a wading belt AND a PFD. I ALWAYS wear my PFD (well, not when the air temp is over 95 F), and recommend others do so, especially in situations of heightened risk such as this one or fishing boiler rocks or running water. In fairness to my fishing partner, a former wildlands and municipal firefighter, he was cognizant of the risks. The water throughout the lake average less than 5 ft deep, and unlike a walker who falls through the ice, we created our own escape route.