Have not fished this year but the last 3 years in June-August have caught good when the levels were below 15' and dropping. We pretty much had the lake to ourselves too! It's true there are lots of gar and carp but crappie can be caught with good numbers and decent size. With the higher river levels the last few years it didn't drop to good levels until summer but this year has been different. Sardis is 50 miles closer for me and with the fuel prices I have changed my fishing patterns. I'm like you and would love to hear some recent reports.