We kept some of the hand hewn logs on the side of the lodge. They are from the 1940's and cut from the wilderness here at Blackburns which has never been logged. 
A view at the lake.
The lake level is 554.68 and down just a bit with 3-Hours of running 1-1/4 generators from 7-9 PM with a little more scheduled for today. The White River at Newport is 5.03 feet and very low. The surface water temperature is 76-degrees and dropping. It is cloudy and cool today but is to be warmer and nicer tomorrow. We missed the hurricane and almost everything kept east of us. The water clarity remains poor down to about 25-feet and clear after that. Several Bass and Bluegill are in brush from 25-34 feet deep with Walleye being all over the place around, under and in front. of brush piles. Many of them are throw backs but there are also some nice ones. I am not seeing nearly as many Crappie as I was. White Bass are in their fall pattern and some good ones too and a few small Stripers are with them. Look off steep windblown banks on shad in 50-ft. of water 30-ft. down. Drop a Bink's Spoon on their heads and reel up fast. There is also some top-water some days but nothing to count on. Just be ready if you see them with a 6-1/2 ft. medium heavy rod and a clear Zara Spook. A bone colored also works on cloudy days. If it is sunny the clear one sparkles and is the best. You need some backbone to your rod to work the spook properly. Spitin Image works better for top-water bass. When they go down cast the spoon past the fish and hop it back to the boat keeping it from sinking too fast. October is not usually a good month for fishing but the lake turned over early we will see. Things are changing rapidly and I will keep you informed. If you are in the Mountain Home area stop by and check Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental out. We are not far from town and you will be welcome. We do not mind turn arounds and do have the best prices on both cabins and boat rental in the Ozarks. Check out our dock and boats. It is in a sheltered cove good for kayaking. Compare prices and give Debbie a call at 870-492-5115 for a reservation. You will like it here and the price is right. We have many repeat customers and are family owned and family operated. We cull.
