Examining Grand Lake conditions

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We head far up the rivers and tributaries that feed into Grand Lake for the final practice day of the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, to get an idea of what the contenders are facing on the water.
We head far up the rivers and tributaries that feed into Grand Lake for the final practice day of the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro, to get an idea of what the contenders are facing on the water.
The signs of recent high waters abound in the Neosho River.
The signs of recent high waters abound in the Neosho River.
A few anglers scouting around.
A few anglers scouting around.
Recent high water has reached this railroad bridge and lodged magnum logs in the rafters.
Recent high water has reached this railroad bridge and lodged magnum logs in the rafters.
An impressive sight.
An impressive sight.
Making our way down the river, we take a closer look at the habitat fish frequent this time of year.
Making our way down the river, we take a closer look at the habitat fish frequent this time of year.
Shallow brush may play a big role here this week. Muddy waters, warming water temps and the spawn have fish pushing shallow.
Shallow brush may play a big role here this week. Muddy waters, warming water temps and the spawn have fish pushing shallow.
The cliché 45-degree bank became a cliché for a reason, it holds fish.
The cliché 45-degree bank became a cliché for a reason, it holds fish.
All sorts or rock along the shorelines here.
All sorts or rock along the shorelines here.
Everything from gravel to boulders line different stretches of Grand.
Everything from gravel to boulders line different stretches of Grand.
Floating docks offer some normalcy to a lake where fluctuating water levels have made ‘normal’ exceedingly rare.
Floating docks offer some normalcy to a lake where fluctuating water levels have made ‘normal’ exceedingly rare.
Wood everywhere along the shoreline in these rivers.
Wood everywhere along the shoreline in these rivers.
The docks rise and fall with the water level here, very few poll docks here.
The docks rise and fall with the water level here, very few poll docks here.
Another look at a different style bank here on Grand Lake.
Another look at a different style bank here on Grand Lake.
Most of the seawalls are a little dry.
Most of the seawalls are a little dry.
This will make a good topwater pile later in the year. This 20ft tall pile of debris is a result of one homeowner’s cleanup after recent floods.
This will make a good topwater pile later in the year. This 20ft tall pile of debris is a result of one homeowner’s cleanup after recent floods.
The police are out and about on Grand today.
The police are out and about on Grand today.
Suited up for the cold.
Suited up for the cold.
Somehow the cables holding this dock haven’t snapped despite the massive amount of debris washed into it.
Somehow the cables holding this dock haven’t snapped despite the massive amount of debris washed into it.
A flock of pelicans hang around an emergent sandbar in the middle of the river.
A flock of pelicans hang around an emergent sandbar in the middle of the river.
The most action we’ve seen so far this morning.
The most action we’ve seen so far this morning.
Away they go.
Away they go.
The water level is evidently lower than normal no matter where you look.
The water level is evidently lower than normal no matter where you look.
Laydowns are a dime a dozen.
Laydowns are a dime a dozen.
You can even shop appliances.
You can even shop appliances.
A full dock has washed in to this pile.
A full dock has washed in to this pile.