One likes it hot at Randleman Dam

August in North Carolina is called “The Dog Days” because that’s when “dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies” (Brady’s Clavis Calendarium, 1813).

What that means, basically, is when the eighth month rolls around, it’s hot and humid enough to make life outdoors barely tolerable and almost everyone, including dogs, seeks shade or air conditioning.

Don’t tell it to Joel Richardson, a bass-fishing guide from Kernersville. There’s no place he’d rather be than at two-year-old Randleman Dam Reservoir in Randolph and Guilford counties during August.

“I’ve been whackin’ (bass) in August the last two years,” he said.

Of course it helps to have cloud cover to alleviate recent triple-digit temperatures, but Richardson (336.643.7214, www.joelgrichardson.com) said come cloudy or sunny weather, bass angling has been good at the 5,000-acre reservoir off U.S. 220 south of Greensboro. Take the Level Cross exit, then left onto Adams Farm Road (if you turn right, the road leads to Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction camp).

“Usually if you get to the lake at daylight, the temperatures will be in the 70s and you can have two or three hours of real comfortable fishing,” Richardson said. “After that, it’s just a matter of putting on sunscreen, drinking water and looking for deep fish.”

During a recent trip, Richardson and a visiting outdoor writer caught about two dozen bass, ranging from 2 to 4 1/2 pounds — and lost two large deep-structure fish.

“A Pop-R, Zara Spook or buzzbait will work well early at shoreline brush in the lake or at rocky areas,” he said.

As the morning grows longer and the sun pops out, Richardson fishes a series of deeper water spots (he has the lake’s only known topological map which he developed). He’ll use jig-and-pigs and his favorite, a 12-inch-long blue or chartreuse plastic worm, rigged Texas or Carolina style to fish deep water.

“You’re always looking for mid-lake humps with rocks on ’em,” he said. “This lake has a lot of rocks. The (Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority) also has put several artificial fish attractors in the lake that usually hold good bass.”

Surprisingly, some bass have remained shallow this summer, “probably because of all the rain,” Richardson said. “Bass don’t orient so much on structure in this lake as they do baitfish, and it’s got tons of shad in it.”

Visiting anglers should be prepared to pay $15 per bass boat. The lake office also has free folders that contain a lake map with buoys marked. Through Aug. 31 all boats must be off the lake by 8 p.m. After Sept. 1, closing time is 7 p.m.