Syracuse.com - Winner of Cicero-Mattydale Lions Club Walleye Derby on Oneida Lake tells how he did it

[HuntingNY-News]

He caught the fish 15 minutes into the competition from shore on Scriba Creek. He earned $1,000 for his catch.

Joe Collins holds up his 26-incher the morning after he caught his prize winning fish. 

Joe Collins, of Olcott, is one lucky angler.

His 26-inch walleye won this past weekend's 35th Annual Cicero-Mattydale Lions Club Walleye Derby on Oneida Lake. The two-day tourney, which each year marks the opening o the walleye fishing season, saw nearly 2,000 anglers competing.

Thomas won $1,000 for the catch.

The interesting (and lucky) part about it is he caught his fish a mere 15 minutes or so into the competition. He hooked it fishing from shore during the dead of night on Scriba Creek, he said, just above the DEC hatchery in Constantia.

Check out the top 25 finishers.

Listen to Thomas tell his story...and what he plans to do with his prize money. (Hint: His wife is getting a cut).

Joe Collins with his trophy.  

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog