Norfork Lake Scuba Diving Report for June 4, 2015

Norfork Lake Spearfishing Season Is quickly approaching. It begins Monday morning June 15th. Now is the time to check out your gear and get it ready. Your air tanks have to be hydro-tested every five years and an internal visual check performed annually. This is for your protection. The hydro test takes several days so now is the time to take them in to the dive shop. Check to see that your BCD inflates properly and does not leak down. Check the straps on your mask and fins. It only takes one thing to malfunction to stop your dive. The morning of your first dive is not the time to begin checking equipment. Spear guns also sometimes leak down during the winter and need to be pumped up or oil added if they are pneumatic and check the bands if you use a band gun. Almost everyone in this area use pneumatic ones. A lot of divers use a paralyzer tip in this area on their speargun. I used to do this but have since changed to a butterfly tip and now use the largest more powerful gun. It shoots completely through the fish and I now do not lose any. Walleye travel in pairs a lot of the time and some people carry two guns. I do not do this as I have enough trouble keeping one from tangling. Wax the zippers on your wet suit and check for proper operation. Same for your boots. Keep a check list on all equipment so you do not forget anything. Many times I see people that forget one thing and have a day of diving ruined. A very important thing is to check your mouthpiece for wear or cracks. There is a thermocline forming at about 21 feet now and several fish are just above that. Many brush piles are too deep this spring but will come into play as the water level drops. If you can find brush or large rocks at 20 feet or less on the main lake there will be fish on them. This looks to be a good year so good luck. There are not very many good places to dive from the shore so if you need a dive boat call 870-492-5115. Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental has several. Do not forget to get your fishing license.