Southern Magic

First Look At The Collins

To my knowledge, the Collins River in central TN is the warmest climate musky fishery, if not the furthest south as well.  Even in a harsh winter, good musky action can be found in the Collins if water levels are right.  The Collins supports muskies at its latitude because it is spring fed with clean cool water, too cool in fact to support muskies in its farthest up stream reaches.  Trout inhabit those waters.

Boat Side Battle

The Collins River is part of the Great Falls Reservoir system, of which the entirety has a strong population of muskies.  Great Falls has excellent water quality due to the health of its tributaries.  Muskies are constantly moving between the reservoir and its tributaries due to seasonal change in water conditions, spawning migrations, and forage migrations.  The Collins most likely has muskies that are year round residents, but also has groups of muskies that come and go during the course of the season.

The Fight Continues

The muskies in this system are very fast growing big bodied fish, and muskies well into the 50” 30lb. range have been caught recently from these waters.  A strong population density exists as well.  The waters are fertile and warm, but not so warm that the muskies can’t find cooler well oxygenated water during the heat of the Tennessee summer.  In the Collins River, the water is very fertile due to the leaching of nutrients from the limestone in its watershed.  The musky growing season goes year round.

Admiring A Tennessee Musky

At normal water level, the Collins runs a beautiful blue in color and is very clear.  The river has good current in areas and slow holes in others.  Action is excellent all year long, though I have only fished it in winter.  In January 2008, I fished it with guide Dwayne Hickey and caught 10 muskies in 3 days.  The river was low and clear, with a measured discharge of only 150 cfs.  However, we fished it slowly, quietly, and thoroughly; and had great action.  Water temperatures ranged from 36-39 F, which forced slow yet tantalizing and meticulous presentations.  It was some of the most fun I have ever had fishing in January.

Tempted By A Cast Back

Dwayne is one of the most knowledgeable musky guides on the Collins River and Great Falls Reservoir, and has an excellent secluded stretch of the river almost completely to himself.  I highly recommend breaking the winter doldrums by booking a trip with Dwayne.  When planning a trip to the Collins, make sure to keep an eye on the USGS website for measured stream flow data.  The Collins is highly subject to severe flooding under heavy rains which are common all year, but especially during winter.  Statistically speaking, the Collins has an average measured stream flow of 800-1200 cfs at its gauging station by McMinnville TN.  However, it can reach 10,000 to 20,000 cfs very easily, at which point it is not only unfishable but very dangerous as well.

One Last Look

At average discharge, the river has good clarity, but enough color to give the muskies some security.  The river is fairly fast at this discharge level, and if the water is very cold, the muskies may be reluctant to come out and chase lures.  If cold temperatures have been persistent, fishing the Collins at lower discharge levels is a good idea.  In winter, I had excellent success with Manta Hang 10’s, #14 Husky Jerks, #12 X-Raps, and live bait.  In summer, Dwayne says there is an excellent topwater bite.  Contact Dwayne at www.stonesthrowadventures.com, the website is excellent and advertises many quality fishing and adventure opportunities in the Great Falls area.

Away She Goes