It was great to finally get wet again. And what a day to do it. Severe clear conditions above and below the surface. We dove at Vista Point with Bill (PhxSki), Mike (RudeBob), Chris K, Chris (seagraves?) and Rob (rawalker). The morning was a little chilly but the water is warming up. 61 VT3 degrees on the surface with a slight thermocline down to 58 degrees below 40 feet. It's funny how a few weeks ago 55 degrees at the surface was, as Bill put it, biting cold as it infiltrated the zipper of our wet suits but just a few degrees warmer takes the edge off just enough.
We split up into two groups of three on the first dive. Bill and I dove with Chris K while Mike, Rob and Chris buddied up. Since I was stupid enough to forget my PADI bag, I was sans light and compass.
(See, kids, what happens when we don't dive every weekend?) Bill had the honors of leading the dives. We descended at the bouy and I was surprised to see that the lake was still pretty clear. There was a lot of suspended material down to about 40 feet then it cleared up almost completely.
We swam over to the deep wall then worked our way back to the boat ramp area. Close to shore the bass were red eyed and aggressive. As we got deeper the natives weren't quite as restless. The visibility was awsome. I'll bet it was over 40 feet. The best I've seen anyplace in my limited experience. Who'da thunk that Ol' Lake Pleasant would offer near Caribbean visibility.
We arived at the boat ramp at about 90 feet. No light needed. I was able to look up and see the sun filtering through. We swam along the rail on the east side of the ramp up to about 60 feet. Bill led us over the far side of the ramp into what I've heard called Spring Canyon Landing. I had explored that area pretty extensively last year but hadn't been back since last April. We saw a large group of bass bachelors just hanging out. They weren't very old judging from their size. Probably the equivelent of bass teengers wondering what girl basses are all about.
After a presure check we started back to the area where Bill's dive bouy was anchored. On the way back Bill was dive bombed several times by one of those red eyed devils. After Bill swam by I became the object of RedEye's ire. He decided to sit in front of me, nose to mask, and not let me pass. He was not impressed with my blowing bubbles at him. These behaviors absolutely amaze me. After a bit I inched forward until he gave up and let me pass. We ascended to safety stop depth during the swim back so we didn't have to hang out by the bouy very long before ending the dive.
This was the best dive I've had in weeks. The switch over to using a weight harness has been a bit troublesome. The weight belt and my BC's cumberbun were not getting along. Over the last few weeks it became obvious that I was going to have to either make major changes to my trusty Outback or replace the lost weight pouch with a new set. I'm glad I opted for new pouches. My bouyancy control and attitude were greatly improved. I dropped another two pounds off the pouches too.
The other two dives were just as much fun. We went to the Spring Canyon area again (a place I forsee many visits to) on the second dive and played with the fish some more. By the third dive it was just Bill, Mike and me. Everybody else had left for the day. We dove straight out to the huge bouy anchors that hold the large round bouys marking the enterance to the Pleasant Harbor Marina. I saw a couple of medium sized catfish and some carp along the way. All day long I just couldn't get over how clear the lake was. It won't last for long though. I hope it stays like this for the Scuba Show on May 2nd.
See you at the lake.
Steve.