Why is it that boats launching from Blythe Landing fish north of the Highway 150 Bridge, and those that put in at Pinnacle Boat Access run south to fish the Ramsey Creek arm? Maybe there isn’t a good answer, but we like to think,“The grass is always greener on the other side.”



For whatever reasons, fishermen have always traveled long distances to fish. So far, in fact, that at times they drive past some of the best spots because they think they’re too close to something - like the boat landing or the marina. I was reminded of this earlier in the month when a group of us traveled to a lake in northwestern Ontario.

Our trip began with a 6 a.m. flight from Charlotte, NC to Winnipeg, Canada with a change of planes in Chicago. Arriving in Canada at 3:30 p.m., we boarded a sea plane, which carried us to Halley’s Fish Camp located on an island in the middle of Umferville Lake, near Kenora. In total, our odyssey took twelve hours to complete, so it was no wonder everyone went to sleep early.

The next morning, there was much discussion about where to fish, and guess what? Most chose to travel to fishing holes located ten or fifteen miles from the lodge. One would think that after going a thousand miles to a remote lake with trophy size northern pike and walleye swimming under the boat dock that fishermen wouldn’t want to stray farther. But that wasn’t so. In fact, some of the more adventurous opted to fly out by seaplane to a distant lake where even bigger fish were rumored to be hanging out.

On one particular morning, everyone was asked to stop fishing for northern pike long enough to catch enough walleye for a shore lunch. Once again, many traveled to far reaches of the lake in their quest to catch lunch. But, the boats that caught the most walleye fished a ledge almost within casting distance of the lodge.

So, why do fishermen spend so much time riding from place to place instead of actually fishing? Some say the thrill of the chase is more fun than catching them. That will be particularly true as long as there are faraway places to fish and fast boats to take anglers to them.

Free Fishing Seminar – “How to Catch Summer Bass, White Perch and Crappie” - Jake Bussolini and I will conduct this ninety minute seminar beginning at 6:30 p.m. on June 18th at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.

Hot Spots of the Week! White perch are hitting minnows and Sabiki Rigs fished in twenty to thirty feet of water. Cove openings and creek channel turns are your best bets for bigger perch. Bass are schooling on points throughout the day with the best bites at sunrise. Summer weather has channel and blue catfish biting the best they have all year. Try chicken livers for the channels and cut baits for bigger blues.

Tips from Capt. Gus! School is out! Take a kid fishing and enjoy the smile each time a fish is landed!

The surface water temperature varies by location, but is mainly in the eighties in open waters not affected by power generation. The water level is about 1.3 below full pond on Lake Norman and 2.7' below full on Mountain Island Lake.

Capt. Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an outdoor columnist and a full time Professional Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, www.Fishingwithgus.com or call 704-617-6812.