Mike's First Doubles Dive

As the winter has set in, Mike Hill and I had to go for a dive. With the Lake Ice formed and not many places to find open water he headed for Upper Brewers Mills, on the Rideau River. Today would prove to be a day of firsts. Mike's debut in diving with a set of doubles, and my first time at Upper Brewers Mills. The water was a cool refreshing 36F with a vis of 15 to 20 ft. with a mild to medium current, what more could two divers ask for. Mike proved that diving doubles is the way to go, judging by the smiles after the dive no difficulties were found. We went around the bowl 3 times observing crayfish and fingerling Walleye's. Ending the dive with a bottom time of 31 min and two divers happy to get in the water once again...

Americans enact Shark Conservation Law..

There was a lot of criticism of the lame duck Congress leading up to the turn of the year. It turned out though that quite a lot was actually achieved. One very important piece of legislation didn't make the headlines. President Obama signed a Shark Conservation Act into law on January 4th. Details in the link you can reach by clicking here.

Diving Adventurers..

Conditions in the Lake are really pretty good at the moment. Despite near frigid water temperatures, the visibility is fantastic, and entry and exit are straightforward. Todd and Dan enjoyed amazing sightings of Gizzard Shad yesterday and today. You can see a video of the large shoal of fish here on You Tube...

Shad-tastic..!

It's not entirely clear just what species we encountered in the waters near the Marine Museum yesterday and today, but what's quite certain is that we enjoyed an experience that is rare in local water. This link will take you to video that shows just what we were privileged to enjoy. So numerous were the fish, and so intent on shoaling, that they actually collided with the divers. If you listen carefully, on a couple of occasions you can hear a fish bump into the camera housing.

Happy New Year everyone!

THE BI-CENTENNIAL MAN...

Today's immersion in the frigid lake was an important landmark in Todd's dive logbook.....his 200th dive this year. Since I am currently completing my PADI Underwater Photography Specialty, it was only logical that I would attend to take a few "Hero Shots" for our newly-appointed Club President. We entered the water at the old corvette launch near the Marine Museum this afternoon for a swim around the old wharf, and to examine the entry to the Alexander Henry's drydock. This being my first jaunt that far along the shoreline, I realized that there is even more to explore past the old familiar line out to the barge. We swam past an old anchor, tires, and some construction debris from this year's recent rebuild of the drydock. What we weren't expecting were the schools of Lake Shad that we encountered upon entry, and around the drydock area. See for yourself in this video:

... The fish were so abundant that Todd had to eat his way through the school (or he found himself a New Year's Eve date for this evening...) (pictured is Todd with fish-in-hand.... you be the judge on what he is doing...)

.... and last, but not least.. the best picture of the dive today:

Amazing what fish will do when you stay motionless at 15 feet for a safety stop.. They were as curious of me as I was of them.. Total dive time: a frisky 61 minutes, max depth: 37 feet, water temperature: a freezing 36 deg F.

D.O.G.s or Huskies..?

The weather's definitely getting colder - and the water temperature in the Lake too. But, that's when the viz starts to clear and the diving crowd starts to thin out. This morning - to celebrate Todd's 300th dive appropriately - three of us ventured forth to Howe Island to plumb the 'hidden' depths of the South Channel. Despite the lower water levels of this time of year, before the bottom started rising back to Wolfe Island in mid channel, we achieved 119'. It was a cool dive on at least two levels. First of all, the water temperature was down to 43℉ (6℃) at the bottom and, secondly, it just an excellent, relaxed experience. Congratulations, Todd, on your 300th lifetime dive.

Great fish diversity

Last Tuesday Todd, Steve and I went for a nice little night dive in Portsmouth harbor. I have to admit, this dive was so far the best in term of fish diversity. I'll let you judge! These pictures were all taken on the same dive.

Smaller pike seen in the shallows on the way back by the pier

Lake shad

Catfish (minus a chunck on the face!)

Walleye seen chilling on the bottom under the pier close to the first opening

Sucker

BIIIGG pike seen on our way to the pier leaving from the line to the anchor

Family reunion of perches

Big Small mouth bass

Mudpuppy

Rock bass

Sorry, I didn't bother taking pictures of gobby, but obviously, they were there also.

See you next dive!

DOGs on the prowl..

Here's a link to a few minutes of video fun on the KGH wreck yesterday. If you have friends who wonder why you dive - and what you see, show them this...

City of Sheboygan in great shape..

Seven of us went out with Kingston Dive Charters this morning to dive the excellent wreck that is the City of Sheboygan. Conditions could only have been improved by a little bit more sunshine, but the Lake was relatively calm, and the visibility was superb. A water temperature of 52℉ (11℃) ensured that no one got unduly cold. A lot of video was taken - and a short edition of the highlights is on You Tube here..

Portsmouth Harbour Wrecks..

For all those who have not had the opportunity to visit the wreck fragments that lie just off the Breakwater at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, here's a little video pulled together in October. To view it click here.

It comes as a complete surprise to most Kingstonians that these links to the City's maritime history are literally yards from shore.