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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Fish Caller
November 25, 2007
The gift giving season is upon us and many wonder what type gift to give a fisherman. Buying tackle for someone else is no easy task, especially when most anglers have difficulty buying for themselves. A simple solution might be a gift card or certificate and a few stocking stuffers or gag gifts.
A few weeks ago, the Carolina’s Catfish Club presented me with a unique gift at its annual fish fry. Like most gag gifts, this wooden “Fish Caller” had little, if any, practical value, but it was unique and everyone enjoyed the presentation. Interestingly, I had received the exact item as a Christmas present in 2004. When I asked where it was purchased, the answer was, “at a gift shop somewhere in the mountains”. You might remember the following article about the original fish caller:
”I had to laugh when I read the words "Fish Call" on the packaging of a small gift I unwrapped over the holidays. It seems that every now and then one receives a present that is really quite useless, but nevertheless, very intriguing. The fish caller looked similar to a wooden train whistle that makes noise like a locomotive. The fish caller was smaller and came with a lanyard. When I blew into it, it made no sound. I tried again and again, but to no avail.
Somewhat frustrated, I returned to the directions and read the information on the back of the package. It clearly stated that “sound frequencies emitted release a simulated hunger pheromone in fish, which causes them to bite anything within fifty feet.” That statement convinced me that the fish caller should make some type of noise. I continued reading the testimonial by a person described as a "fishing enthusiast” who stated that “he had never heard anything like it and felt confident that no one else ever would.” After reading all the instructions twice, several of us tried to get the caller to make a noise, but no one heard a sound (and no one ever will!)
The words “new and improved” were written all over the package, which made me wonder how difficult it must have been to make the older version of the caller work. One of the selling features stated “unlike older models, you don't have to stick your head in the water.” Now, can you imagine someone trying to make this thing work with his head under water in the middle of winter? Regardless, the gift brought many moments of holiday fun and laughter.”
Hot Spot of the Week:
The Hot Spot of the week is Mountain Creek, where excellent catches of stripers have been taken on down lines with live shad and trout. The deeper sections of the creek are holding suspended fish at depths to thirty feet. On weekends when the creeks get crowded, try the river section adjacent to Hagers in the vicinity of Marker 13. This past week fishing has been very good for stripers, bass and white perch.
Tips from Gus:
Cold winter waters make schools of juvenile striped, spotted and largemouth bass seek shelter in the power plant hot water discharges. The hot water also attracts poachers who keep more fish than the creel limit allows and do not release undersized fish. To report violations, call 1-800-662-7137. A North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission operator will take your number and within minutes, a wildlife officer will return your call. The officer will act quickly and accordingly, based on the information you give him.
The lake level is 93.2 or 6.8' below full pond and still dropping. The water surface temperature is in the low to mid sixties.
Captain 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, 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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