This weekend's Fun Dives at Table Rock Lake were enjoyed by seventeen divers in total, though we were never all in one place at the same time, and a number of divers were diving Table Rock for their first time.  Nine of us opted to share in the rental pontoon boat on Saturday, and used it to make a long easy dive on Duck Island followed by lunch and then a dark deeper dive through the trees along the wall at Breezy Point.  Supper at Shorty Smalls was followed by a group night dive at the dam, where some were making their first night dive and we were treated to lots of huge crawfish at all depths.  Now we know why the crawfish come out to play at night-more on that later.  Some of our participants moved on to other Branson family activities Saturday eve and Sunday, but most were at the dam Sunday morning for a couple more dives before returning home.  Some of us started off the day with a deep dive (to 80 ft.) while some others stayed in the shallower warm water where most of the fish were visible-bluegill, bass, catfish, croppie, and walleye mostly.

While pursuing one of our favorite safety stop pastimes of breaking open freshwater mussels to feed the bluegill (feeding frenzy, and they'll eat right out of your hand) one of our divers found a small crawfish that had not completely hidden itself and grabbed it and brought it out in the open . . . where the bluegill attacked and tore it apart in seconds!  Once excited, the bluegill were also nipping at our fingertips and a couple took pecks at my partly exposed bare head as well-though no blood was drawn and no pain felt.

The weather was perfect for diving-all sunny with a high of 92 and a nighttime low of 72, and a gentle breeze to keep the warming heat from becoming unpleasant.  Visibility was about 10 ft. in the shallow water, pretty hazy just below the first thermocline, and then better than 20 ft. once you were below 40 ft.  Water temp was 86 F in the shallow water, 72 F below the first thermocline, 60 F below 40 ft., and 56 F from 60 ft. on down.

Our next planned excursion is to Mermet Springs on Sept. 25 & 26.  Although the water will still be warm and inviting in the shallows, this will also be the weekend of DUI DOG Days-a great chance to try a dive or two in a drysuit or get certified to dive dry.  For less than the normal price of admission you can make drysuit dives and get a free lunch as well!

Sept. 25-26 you could also take the opportunity to get certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver or as a Specialty Diver in Dry Suit, Deep Diving, or Night Diving by a brand new instructor.  Will it be the first time I have taught these classes?  Far from it!  But it will be the first time I will be authorized to sign the paperwork and have my name printed on your certification cards.  If interested contact Y-Kiki Divers (either store) to inquire about details and prices and to sign up for the classes.

Dive safe and often,

Bill