I went to the Benbrook Marina Tuesday afternoon and spoke with the owner of the Marina. She said the lake had come up a foot overnight and was now just 1 foot from being full. Keep in mind, that was after the rain we got earlier in the week. It was light compared to the gully washer we got today. I don't know about you guys, but I was getting pretty tired of rolling over those stumps at Richardson Slough.

Amen to that Kevin

It's good to see it filling up again. The last time the lake was as full as it is today was June 15 2005. HISTORICAL DATA LINK It's been a long time coming

Well the link won't take you to the exact table that I had pulled up; it takes you to the home page. From the home page on the left select "Daily Reports". Then when the daily reports page comes up half way down the page in the middle you will see "Historical Reservoir Reports" with 3 drop down boxes. In those boxes select the lake you want to see, then the year, then elevation. Benbrook is full at 694 Feet above sea level. It's interesting to see how the lake level has changed over the years.

Do you remember when the picnic tables were under water and the ant balls were floating across the late? That was a far cry from what the lake looked like last year.

It sure has been different. There was (I don't know if it is still there) a dumpster on the South bank of Richardson Slough that floated across the lake from one of the parks during the flood you are talking about. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how it got there until a Game Warden told me about it one time when he was checking me. If the rain keeps up like it is predicted we might see something similar this spring.

I dont know about you guys...but I think Im gonna be going to Whiskey Flatts this weekend. With all this rain and heat it could shape up to be a good weekend. Anyone hitting the lake this weekend?

How do you get to Whiskey Flats?

Whiskey Falts could definitely be active this week. You better bring some waders because the banks are going to be down right nasty after all of this rain. I slipped off of the bank and into the drink up to my neck a couple of years ago after a rain storm by the power lines. It was a little scary trying to claw my way back up the slick bank. Bear Creek might also start producing with the rains.

Whiskey Flats is where the Clear Fork of the Trinity River crosses Hwy 377. (Probably about 3 or 4 miles South of the YMCA on 377). There is a walkthrough gate at the base of the bridge and you can walk up and down the bank of the river.

I tried whiskey flats last year around june, now I know it was way too late for any action. Anyway, I just fished a couple of pools and caught nothing but a buffalo.

Yeah Cowtown that dumpster is still there. Should be well under water now. Saw it last year when the lake was maybe 6 feet low. No more running fast through Rocky Creek or RS for that matter after this rain. There will be a few stumps covered by this rain. Thought I had them marked really good on my GPS. While running my "trail" (one that I have ran at least a dozen times the last few weeks and have seen nothing) back into Rocky Creek at 45mph I just happened to look down and see a stump that was right under the surface maybe 5 feet out. Shut her down real quick and just idled back there. Not really trusting the ol GPS right now. Seemed to have me a little off my normal course.

Here is the 11pm graph for Benbrook...

Well, I just got back from the Benbrook Marina. The lake is now about 3 inches past full. This means the lake has come up almost 3 feet this week and the runoff from todays rains hasn't even made it to the lake yet, not to mention the rain we are going to get tonight and tomorrow. Now we just need it to shut off and let the water calm down and then it's on!

Lots of lakes still 3-10 ft low (or more), but it's nice to see them all coming up!! Historically Benbrook opens the gates once water gets above 694 (to maintain 694) and we may see that again since tonights rain and runoff will probably push the level up another foot or more. Sure wish we could keep the water for later in the summer.....

Wow, 3.5 feet ABOVE conservation pool as of this morning - - I'm about to go take a quick look.

Went to Longhorn - - water is up to the circular-drive portion of the ramps. From a distance away, it looked like the pier on the west end of the dam was almost at the water level. And several of the points on the N end of the lake (like swim cove) now have trees in the water. Water outlet gates were closed, with lots of fishermen giving it a try.

I went back to the lake today. What a difference a night makes. Yesterday evenening, the lake was about 3 inches about conservation pool. Today, as of 6pm, it is about 5 feet above conservation pool and still rising. Most boat ramps are barely visible, if visible at all. There is a lot of debris on the lake and the water is very murky, as expected.

To give you an idea of how much the lake has changed, heading back into Richardson Slough, there use to be a forest of trees sticking up out of the water at the entrance. Now, there is only one tree top visible above the water. After a couple of days, the water should settle down and the fishing should pick back up again. Of course, they are predicting some more rain middle of the week.

I will be heading out today a little before noon to burn some gas and maybe hook into a few hybrids. I will have my little dude out with me for the first time. He is 8 months old today and will get to spend about an hour on the boat before I drop him and the old lady off at the dock while I catch a few more fish. Ensign, if you get out today and want to hangout for a little while, call me and I will pick u up at the dock. If your dad is still in town, he is welcome too. Plenty of room.

Keith