The Fish Sniffer

(Dobbins) Collins Lake anglers have a lot to look of good fishing to look forward to this since the reservoir was full by Christmas and started spilling the day after.

“Many people this week caught limits of trout from the shore either at the beach or down in the Open Area,” said Kathy Hess of the Collins Lake Recreation Area. “The main bait used was PowerBait, but worms and marshmallows enticed an 8 lb. trout for Wayne Ray at his campsite. 

Gary Roberts and Sal Abramonte of Seaside were top-lining with Rapalas when they limited out on trout.  Tom Ives and Ben Boyd also trolled with Rapalas and limited, with their biggest almost 6 pounds.

Brandon Miller says his buddy Bertoni Delong was an “expert guide” at lure trolling.  Brandon landed a 5 lb. 4 oz. rainbow under the power lines up towards the bridge. 

John Hinders of Marysville caught a 9 pound rainbow from shore on green PowerBait off the sandy beach area.     

Garrett Smith fooled a 6 lb. 4 oz.  trout off the beach with a Kastmaster and Ryan Cameron limited out on rainbows to 4 pounds, 4 ounces by the dam  on a bass plug.

Larry Hemphill, fishing guide, recently fished Collins on a four-hour afternoon trip, but couldn't do much because of the howling wind.

“I did most of my fishing at the lower end, near the dam. I missed about 6 or 7 fish, but landed 4 up to 2 lbs - all spots,” he explained. “All hits were on a D&M Piranha swim jig - craw color. I was using a Yamamoto Swim Senko as a trailer. Fish were all over the water column - from 5 to 25 feet.”