The lake level is 554.62 and has dropped over 2-inches in the last 24-hours with both generators running continuously. I hope they keep this up but the White River at Newport is at 15 feet. Maybe they will cut down on generation on Bull Shoals first as they are below power pool and Norfork is still above. You cannot tell what they will do but at least they are trying to help now. The level drop will stick some of the debris on the shore upstream and prevent it from coming here. As of last night at dark I saw no evidence of anything that had made it's way to Blackburns area and the lake is in good condition here despite predictions of doom from some people. You have to be around here for a long time to predict what will happen on Norfork Lake. I have been here 27-years and still cannot do this. I might be a little slow on the draw but all I can do is report what is happening and I am out there almost everyday either on or below the water. I went out yesterday morning to check out conditions and it was foggy. The lake surface water temperature was 54.5 and it was very still. I decided to go out on the boat in Blackburns Creek and headed out to crappie rock to check things out. There was a big school of bass in the creek channel in about 25-ft. of water and they were biting. Mike came out and enjoyed the fun as they were biting at every drop of the spoon. They quit after about an hour and I came in and went back out late in the afternoon and caught some nice crappie as did Mike. The fishing overall was the best that it has been for a while and there seemed to be no negative effects of the big rain. The water was stained green but I could still see my lure down a few feet in the main lake and less in the creek. It was foggy again this morning but is gone now. It is to get into the 70's again for Christmas Eve day which is friday. This is the shortest day of the year and from now on it is heading in the right direction. If it was not for Kentucky Bass, crappie and bluegill, fishing would be tough for me but I do not fish open water much and am happy with what is biting. I did not check winter bass banks for black bass last evening but will today. The lake surface water temperature is dropping very slowly and probably will stop dropping with the warm weather at least for a while. I remember one year where it did not get below 50. Things are a lot better than last winter so far and it is just good to be out and I am thankful that I do not live in a city but Mountain Home is growing into one and very quickly. I am not sure how much I like that but we have to make the best of what we are dealt and count our blessings and I have many. My idea of planning a fishing trip is when I go down to the dock to feed the fish I decide if I want to go out or not. The answer is mostly yes.
