Battling Texoma’s high waters

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The day begins with Elites leaving the dock as the sun rises over the spillway. Day 1 of BASSfest is here, and high floodwaters won't stop the Elites from finding their limits.
The day begins with Elites leaving the dock as the sun rises over the spillway. Day 1 of BASSfest is here, and high floodwaters won’t stop the Elites from finding their limits.
The lake level is up at least six feet, making this campground unusable.
The lake level is up at least six feet, making this campground unusable.
Despite the high water, Texoma can really show off it's beauty in the morning sun.
Despite the high water, Texoma can really show off it’s beauty in the morning sun.
All is not lost with the flooded campground...
All is not lost with the flooded campground…
Birds get their own picnic tables.
Birds get their own picnic tables.
Three or four years ago, the water was even higher according to my boat driver. Plenty of old docks are still in need of some repair.
Three or four years ago, the water was even higher according to my boat driver. Plenty of old docks are still in need of some repair.
And some are being fixed even as the high water forces the work to be done on even higher ground.
And some are being fixed even as the high water forces the work to be done on even higher ground.
Nearby I find Edwin Evers...
Nearby I find Edwin Evers…
...and Greg Vinson, who is holding a fish as we arrive.
…and Greg Vinson, who is holding a fish as we arrive.
This one is too small, unfortunately.
This one is too small, unfortunately.
Normally I'd hop out of the boat and bring you some close-up shots. Not today.
Normally I’d hop out of the boat and bring you some close-up shots. Not today.
We also find Jared Lintner. The following is a painful sequence where Jared almost boats his first fish.
We also find Jared Lintner. The following is a painful sequence where Jared almost boats his first fish.
This was pretty painful to watch. But Jared was rewarded...
This was pretty painful to watch. But Jared was rewarded…
...with another one!
…with another one!
When he looked up, I honestly thought he'd lost this one too for a split second...
When he looked up, I honestly thought he’d lost this one too for a split second…
...nah, I got it!
…nah, I got it!
We leave Jared...
We leave Jared…
...and Greg to find Russ Lane in the distance.
…and Greg to find Russ Lane in the distance.
Lane quickly hooks up.
Lane quickly hooks up.
In you go.
In you go.
Gerald Swindle enjoys the show.
Gerald Swindle enjoys the show.
Vinson heads out to new water...
Vinson heads out to new water…
Drew Benton flies by.
Drew Benton flies by.
We stay with another angler in the area- Andy Montgomery.
We stay with another angler in the area- Andy Montgomery.
Kelley Jaye was clearly looking to fish where Andy is. He stopped by and saw him there and moved on.
Kelley Jaye was clearly looking to fish where Andy is. He stopped by and saw him there and moved on.
Andy stealthily caught this bass when I wasn't looking.
Andy stealthily caught this bass when I wasn’t looking.
This time I'm ready...
This time I’m ready…
But the fish isn't.
But the fish isn’t.
As I'm writing a blog about Andy, he does it again.
As I’m writing a blog about Andy, he does it again.
This no parking sign is doing a pretty good job right now.
This no parking sign is doing a pretty good job right now.
Brandon Card was also nearby, fishing with just 1 in the livewell.
Brandon Card was also nearby, fishing with just 1 in the livewell.
Chad Morgenthaler was also in the area.
Chad Morgenthaler was also in the area.
More flooded buildings and structures. Easy to find on this lake right now.
More flooded buildings and structures. Easy to find on this lake right now.
At least this turtle finds a use for an old dock.
At least this turtle finds a use for an old dock.
Someone tell this little girl there's a giant hole under her please.
Someone tell this little girl there’s a giant hole under her please.
We head to another part of the lake and find Casey Ashley...
We head to another part of the lake and find Casey Ashley…
...and Kevin VanDam.
…and Kevin VanDam.
Uh oh, KVD is smiling.
Uh oh, KVD is smiling.
He's smiling because he's been catching bass all day long. He may not be at the top of the Leaderboard at the end of the day, but a happy KVD is a scary KVD.
He’s smiling because he’s been catching bass all day long. He may not be at the top of the Leaderboard at the end of the day, but a happy KVD is a scary KVD.