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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Cold and Colder Weather
January 17, 2010
The recent cold spell has separated the fair weather fishermen from the hardcore anglers. The chill has been so frigid that even some of the hardcore crowd have been missing in action. While most anglers prefer to fish in more tolerable conditions, some of the fish don’t seem to mind. Stripers, white perch and spotted bass relish the cooler water temperatures.
This column, however, is not about the fish, but the fishermen who brave the cold winds of January and February. The fool hardy say,“ I’m from up North and I’m used to the cold.” They proceed to under dress and freeze during a fishing trip. On the other hand, the astute angler dresses as if he were going duck hunting or snow skiing and stays warm, dry and comfortable.
You can tell by the way people walk when they approach the boat, if they are wearing enough clothes. Those dressed properly are layered so many times that they waddle like a penguin. Those who don’t, pay the price and beg to come in early.
The key to staying warm in sub-freezing weather is simple. Protect the head, hands and feet, and layer the arms, body and legs. Make sure that the final layer of clothing is an insulated suit, parka & bibs or some type of heavy-duty outerwear designed to repel rain and cold wind.
More times than not, it’s the feet that get cold first. Insulated boots and warm socks are a necessity. Tennis shoes, while comfortable in the summer, are not appropriate for winter fishing. If insulated boots aren’t available, leather deck or work shoes are an alternative.
Protect your hands with mittens or gloves. Waterproof insulated gloves are best. If you must remove your gloves to dip minnows, wear a pair of latex surgical gloves. They do not keep your hands warm, but keep them dry. The head and face are best protected with a hat, toboggan or hood and a ski mask.
When everything is said and done, invest in a set of fishing wear for cold weather. For great fishing, the added expense is worthwhile.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
Hand and foot warmer packages are inexpensive and help to keep you warm. Some anglers use a catalytic propane heater to warm the face and hands. A popular model is commonly used in golf carts and can be safely mounted in the cup holder of the boat’s steering console.
Upcoming Events:
A free fishing seminar entitled “How to Find and Catch Winter Striped Bass on Lake Norman” is scheduled at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC for Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. This informational session will be conducted by Capt. Gus. For more information, call 704-658-0822.
Hot Spot of the Week:
Fishing for stripers, perch and spotted bass is quite good, in spite of, or because of the cold temperatures. Schools of herring are in the deeper sections of creek runs and along the edges of the old river channel. Best bets are Reed, Davidson, Mountain and McCrary Creeks.
The lake level is currently 95.8 or 4.2' below full pond. The water surface temperature is in the forties.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704.617.6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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