TROLLING
A number of different trolling lures will tempt the lake’s trout effectively, as long as you consider their primary forage before making your selection. Threadfin shad are the trout’s favored prey. Lure and color selections should be made accordingly.

Chrome-and-blue spoons account for many of the largest trout taken by trollers. Other good choices include small minnow plugs and light shad-colored plastic grubs. When the trout are playing hard to get, a slow-trolled threaded night crawler fished without flashers or a dodger is often just what the doctor ordered.

While trolling and bait-fishing, I’m a firm believer in fluorocarbon leaders. When fishing Collins, I also make it a practice to apply Pro-Cure Super Gel, in either the threadfin shad or herring scent, to my lures.

Though Collins trout might not be the most sophisticated fish in the world, a stealthy approach is still a good idea. When top-lining, I like to employ an electric motor and keep my lures from 150 to 200 feet behind the boat.

In the spring, I typically concentrate on working the top 10 feet of the water column. But as the season matures, I work progressively deeper water, using my downriggers.

As mentioned earlier, trout really stack up in the thermocline during the heat of summer, and the strongest concentrations of fish are almost always found above the submerged creek channel.

BAIT
During both the spring and fall, soaking bait is a popular pastime for veteran Collins Lake anglers. Since I always buy a two-rod sticker, generally I start out with one rod rigged with a sliding sinker rig, and the second setup with a slip-bobber for drifting bait suspended below the surface.

The most popular baits at Collins are PowerBait, Power Eggs and night crawlers. But I’ve enjoyed very good action while using minnows, too.

Most bank-anglers fish the stretch of shoreline on the western side of the lake between Elmer’s Cove, located roughly behind the store, to the corner of the dam. One of the most productive and popular areas is the sandy flat around the swim beach.

Boat-anglers get in on the bank-fishing action, too. Instead of fishing the area where shore-bound anglers ply their trade, boaters go up the lake and beach their boats near likely-looking structure. Then they get out on the bank to fish, or toss their baited lines off the back of the boat.

All things considered, this is really my favorite way to fish the lake. Using a boat takes you to areas that receive relatively little pressure from bait-anglers.

Plus you get to enjoy the kicked-back relaxation you just don’t experience while trolling.

FLIES
Elmer’s Cove and the face of dam represent prime areas for fly-anglers working from float tubes. There is little or no dry-fly action. But slowly stripped streamers such as Woolly Buggers in brown, olive, black or white often receive a rave reception from the trout.

While trolling the dam, I’ve seen fly guys catch a number of husky trout in the 3- to 4-pound class.

If you haven’t yet sampled the exceptional trout fishing that Collins Lake provides, make it a point to visit the lake this fall. I think you’ll be pleased by what you find!