Fishing lore has it that when cows are lying in a pasture, fish are resting on the bottom of the lake.



Scientific studies are inconclusive on the subject, but some findings suggest that cows lay down just before a rain storm. Others indicate they lay while chewing cud in order to complete the digestion process. Some say that cows spend over half their lives (fourteen hours a day) lying on the ground for a variety of other reasons. Regardless of what the reasons might be, there is a strong belief among fishermen that when cows are lying down, fish are resting, not biting. Conversely, fishing lore has it that when cows are eating, fish are biting. While this notion has never been proven, there are those who strongly believe there is a parallel between the two.

There are also times when cows are spread out all over a field and other times when they are bunched tightly together in a heard. Isn't it strange that fish are the same way? On some days, you catch one here or there, while at other times, they bite like crazy in tight knit schools.

A very interesting fact is that cows seem to bunch up in the same places day after day in areas with shade trees in the summer or in places where there is hay and water. Isn't that what fish do? They seek shade around docks and brush, and search out forage fish that hang out in the same places day after day.

The next time you drive to a boat ramp, take note along the way of what the cows are doing!

As an aside; there are some who predict the times that fish are biting by the activity in a bird feeder. The information gathered from these observations lead observers to believe that when birds or squirrels are fighting for a space at the feeder, fish are actively feeding. And not surprising, bird feeders are void of activity at least half of the time.

Note: The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission stocked 162,500 hybrid striped bass in Lake Norman on June 23^rd. Half of the fish were deposited in Stumpy Creek and the remainder at the Long Island Boat Access. This is the second year that hybrids have been stocked instead of striped bass. Last year’s stocking appears to have been successful, based on the number of 10”-12” fish reportedly being caught in recent months.

Tips from Capt. Gus! Beat the summer heat and pleasure boat traffic by getting an early start. Some of the best fishing in recent days has been between 5:30 and 7:00 am.

Hot Spots of the Week: A few stripers are being caught on trolled baits along the edge of the river channel between channel markers 8 and 3. Best trolling lures for summer stripers are Alabama Rigs, Roadrunners and long lipped crank baits. Live shad and herring have also been productive baits, particularly after dark. Spotted bass are surface feeding throughout the day off channel points and around deep water piers and docks. White perch are hitting minnows and Sabiki rigs in water to fifty feet. The bigger fish, those up to a pound, are suspended in water 40 to 50 feet deep. Flathead catfish are stalking the white perch schools. Use a stout casting outfit to catch cats. Set the reel in free spool, the clicker on and drop a live bait to the bottom. Blue cats are very active. It’s best to fish for them with fresh cut bream and perch or chicken parts marinated overnight with garlic powder. Crappies have moved to deep water, where they are hitting minnows fished vertically.

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 1.4’ below full pond on Lake Norman and 2.9' 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.