The lake level is 554.82 and has risen just a bit in the last 24-hours with both generators running continuously. When they generate it stays the same and when they quit it rises. It is up to them how high it gets. It has risen just about 3.3 feet since the rain and it's low earlier this month which was 551.68 which is not bad considering we got over 6-inches total here at Blackburns. I was worried it would be worse when I heard of the floods in Ava Missouri. May of 2017 still is in my memory and sure do not want that to happen again. Things have not been the same since the Dawt Mill dam is gone as far as Norfork Lake conditions go. The Norfork River is now free-flowing for several more miles than before and has changed how fish migrate for spawn and what is washed into the river. Temperate Bass are now showing up further up the river as are walleye. I saw no brown water in Blackburns area last evening when I went out but there was some trash floating from scouring out the creeks that have not flowed for a few months because of the dry weather. The creek coming into Blackburns is clearing up already. I have lived here for a long time and the one thing you can predict is that things are unpredictable and that is why I just report on what is happening. There is no reason to fear doom at this time but we will have to see what happens to the debris that is coming south with the current that is caused by the heavy generation. It was not here last evening. The surface water temperature was 55 degrees and the water was stained just a bit from the day before. I caught some fish but overall it was not the best fishing. There was nothing to be scared of or any more danger than normal. People that fish here in the winter do not need to be told how to be safe, they have been doing it for a long time and can catch fish in most conditions. You have to fish here year around for several years to know the lake. I am still learning and need to learn more. It is not easy but is satisfying when you can catch fish almost everyday. Some are a lot better than others. It was very foggy this morning but is better now. I have some work to do and will go out later and let you know the conditions. I hope they keep generating. They can if they want to but who knows. They do not account to anybody. 555 is way too high for the end of the year. The White River at Newport is at 10-feet. That will be the limiting factor. Update: The Kentucky Bass are in the cove this morning 1/2 way back in 28-30 ft. of water and hitting the spoon. Big school and some nice sized ones. The bite lasted about an hour and has now quit. There is a little more stuff in the water but mostly small twigs that are not hurting anything. The water is stained green and is 54.5 degrees. Sun is shining.
