Muskie - Collins River Post Spawn Fishing

Fishing in Eastern Tennessee

In Eastern Tennessee there is an abundance of good fishing. I mean solid fish. You can run down the list of walleye, bass, trout, crappie, catfish, musky and stripers. You can catch trophy sized fish year round. Now, not everyone is going to catch these fish, but they are there. Knowing when and where to wet your line is about having good intel. It is about knowing the water and what the fish are doing each and every month. Knowing the water, albeit a lake, river, reservoir or creek is the keystone. Without a well grounded fundamental understanding of what lies below the surface you are at a huge disadvantage. You have to know the topography, in order to know where the fish will hold. You don't go out and learn this fishing a few times a year. You learn this spending countless hours on the water studying water movements, how fish respond to those movements, where various species will set up to feed and what they feed on. If you just look at the surface, well then, everything looks very similar.

You can catch trophy-sized fish year-round. However, not everyone will be lucky enough to catch these fish. The key is knowing when and where to wet your line. Understanding the water and the behavior of the fish throughout the year is crucial. Without a deep understanding of the underwater topography, you're at a disadvantage.

In The Spread

At In The Spread, we collaborate with seasoned fishermen who delve deep into the intricacies of fishing. We provide insights from captains, guides, and anglers who are deeply knowledgeable and passionate about the craft.

In our recent video about post-spawn muskie fishing on the upper Collins River, we introduce Dwayne Hickey. He's akin to a river rat - savvy, attuned to the environment, and deeply familiar with the river ecosystem. Dwayne knows the Collins River like the back of his hand, from every weed bed to deep hole and creek mouth. His expertise on muskellunge is unparalleled.

During our filming, we observed fly anglers hastily searching for fish, overlooking many prime spots. Dwayne's deep understanding allowed us to fish in spots they missed, leading us to wonder why they skipped such promising areas.

Dwayne's knowledge extends to every feature of the river, both visible and hidden. He shares invaluable tips on fishing various river features, making his insights applicable to any muskie-holding river in the south.

Key Takeaways from the Video

In our post-spawn muskie fishing video, Dwayne will guide you through:

• Upper Collins River: Exploring its clear, shallow waters.
• Muskie Tendencies: Insights for late spring.
• Lure Arsenal: Using shallow crank bait, bucktail, spinner bait, and live bait.
• Fishing Spots: The intersection of wood and weed beds as prime muskie spots.
• Deep Holes: How muskies use them and the importance of nearby wood and weed beds.
• Muskie Baits: Recommendations on bait colors and when to use them.

By the end of the video, you'll gain a deeper understanding of fishing river systems for muskie, thanks to the insights of this river rat. Dwayne Hickey is revered as the Godfather of Eastern Tennessee for good reason.

What is the significance of understanding water topography?
Understanding the water topography helps anglers determine where fish will hold. Without this knowledge, they are at a disadvantage.

Who is Dwayne Hickey?
Dwayne Hickey is an expert fisherman with deep knowledge of the Collins River. He specializes in muskie fishing and has spent his life understanding the river's ecosystem.

What is the focus of "In The Spread"?
"In The Spread" collaborates with seasoned fishermen who have deep knowledge and understanding of fishing, rather than just surface-level information.

Why is the intersection of wood and weed beds significant for muskie fishing?
The intersection provides both feeding grounds and cover for the fish, making it an ideal spot for muskie fishing.