Darrel from Bink's Guide Service with a nice Norfork Lake Bass. 
The lake level is 553.90 and is down from 553.99 at this time yesterday. They run the one operating generator from about 9:AM until 5:PM yesterday and are just starting it up again today. The spillway getes are still open just a bit but not much. The White River at Newport is 12.38 feet and has leveled off. The surface water temperature was 48-degrees yesterday afternoon on the main lake. The creeks stained up some but the mainlake is fairly clear and Scuba Steve could see his lure down 8-9 feet on the main lake. There were several boats out there in the nice weather with no wind. It was very pleasant with sunshine and ambient temperatures near 60. It is hard to believe February is 1/2 over already. Fishing is not the best but you can catch a few if you work at it. I was out from 4:PM unti 6:PM and caught two crappie and two bass and released them under the dock. I have Tom Kelly's Trophy pond all stocked up and ready to go. They will be surprised what they catch out of it this year. I talked to a troller and he said he caught two White Bass fishing the flats out in front of the houses at Mallard Point in 50-ft. of water 30-ft. down on shad. There are not a lot of fish on brush at this time but they should move back in the creeks on that brush as the water warms. The lake is in excellent shape and at a good level and it is nice to just be out there let alone catch a few fish. I got my property tax bill and my car insurance bill and they both raised significantly. I had no claims on insurance and no added buildings on the property but that does not matter. The property taxes raised their maximum of 10% again this year. Baxter County has 100% Republicans running the county and they spend like drunken sailors and brag about how much tax money they are bringing in. Despite all of this Blackburns will not raise prices for 2024. I cannot do to my repeat customes what is being done to me and will fight against increases for as long as I can. If you get as irritated about increases as I do give Debbie a call at 870-492-5115 for a reservation when it happens to you. You have an option. I cannot wait to get my homeowner's insurance bill and resort insurance bill. (yeah right) I had no claims on those either.
