Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3818 August 16-30 | Page 11

VOL.38 • ISS. 18 Brought To You By BASS ANGLER NEWS! August 16-30, 2019 Trout, Bass & Family Fun At Collins Lake! A s I motored away from the launch ramp I spotted a mature bald eagle setting in a tree on the far side of the lake, it’s snow-white head stood out distinctly against the grey- green backdrop. The electric trolling motor churned silently beneath the surface, pushing me toward the dam as I rigged my rods. On the first rod I tied on a chrome and blue Cripplure, while I armed the second with a 3-inch minnow plug. I was about midway across the dam when the rod toplining the Cripplure dipped and then popped back up. The fish had missed getting hooked, but a beat later it struck again and this time luck was on my side. The rod drew down into a satisfying arc and line started flowing off the reel before I could get the rig out of the holder. The thick-bodied rainbow put up a determined battle, but within a few minutes it was safely in the cooler. For the rest of the morning I worked back and forth along the face of the dam. By early afternoon I’d hooked and landed more than two dozen rainbows. Most of them were quickly released, but I did keep three rainbows and a lone brown in the 2 pound class. As I eased the boat back onto it’s trailer I looked across the lake and was surprised to see that the eagle was still sitting on it’s perch. Between seeing the eagle and battling a bunch of hard fighting trout it had been a majestic morning at Collins Lake indeed! Collins Lake, sits at 1,200 feet in eleva- tions, about midway between the cities of Marysville to the north and Grass Valley to the south. When full as it usually is in the spring the lake features 1,600 surface acres of water and 12.5 miles of shoreline Unlike a lot of the state’s premier trout fishing destinations the Collins Lake Recre- ation Area offers 3818 all the amenities an angler requires and is family friendly. The recreation area’s facilities fishing. The lake’s rich waters provide an exceptional forage base in the form of prolific numbers of threadfin shad. Yet, the most important factor is the recreation area’s commitment to providing a top notch fishing experience. Collins boasts the most aggressive trout stocking program in the north state. Spring and fall big numbers of rainbow trout are planted. by Cal Kellogg In addition to trout, Collins is home to a strong population of spotted bass and there are also plenty of big Florida strain large- mouths, along with crappie, sunfish, catfish and more! If you haven’t yet sampled the exceptional trout and fishing Collins Lake provides check them out online at www.collinslake. com and plan a late summer or fall visit! 15TH ANNUAL CUSTOMER APPRECIATION TOURNAMENT SEPT. 14-15 • CLEAR LAKE • KONOCTI VISTA CASINO include a boat ramp and marina, picnic grounds, camping sites, RV sites, rental cabins and trailers, general store, laundry equipment, hot showers, sand swimming beach and a children’s playground. If you don’t have your own boat don’t despair. The marina offers outboard equipped aluminum fishing boats, patio boats and ocean kayaks. So what makes Collins Lake such an awesome fishery? Well there are a couple of driving factors behind the lake’s superb trout • $200 Per Team Entry Fee • $10, $20 & $20 Big Fish Options • Entry Fee Includes Saturdays Raffle • Fri. Check-in On Sept. 13th At 4-6 PM All proceeds donated to the Children’s Hospital of Central Calif. Amateurs & Families Welcome • Closed To All Pro Anglers! For More 1608 Oakdale Road • Modesto, CA 95355 Information: (209) 551-2165 • www.bobsmarine-ca.com LAKE AMADOR RESORT • IONE, CA NorCal’s Premier Fishing & Camping Destination! • • • • • • • 9 QUALITY BASS CAUGHT WEEKLY Spring Through Fall Swim Beach Boat Rentals Tent & RV Sites Disc Golf Course Clubhouse & Cafe Boat Launch Waterslide Over Stocked With: BASS • TROUT CRAPPIE • BLUEGILL • CATFISH Moonlighter Team Bass Tournament On Aug. 10th. Call Now For Details! 209-274-4739 7500 Lake Amador Drive, Ione, CA 95640 WWW.LAKEAMADOR.COM Book Early For The Best Dates And Rates For All RV & Tent Camping! FISH • STAY • PLAY • EXPLORE!