On Friday, July 10th, sixteen divers from Nebraska converged on Pontiac Lodge Resort, on Bull Shoals Lake in Missouri. A meal on the outside deck at the Pontiac Cove Marina restaurant that evening gave most of the group a chance to meet and greet before Saturday's dives began. Most of those present had met before, if only briefly, but a few divers new to Husker Divers joined us, as well.
On Saturday morning, the group converged on the dock and loaded all the tanks and equipment on the two pontoon boats rented for the dives. After setting up dive equipment, everyone settled into a seat and
we were underway. Joe Tyler drove the 35-foot boat, and Kelsey Weiss, a Husker Divers DiveCon from Imperial, Nebraska, drove the 24-footer.
we were underway. Joe Tyler drove the 35-foot boat, and Kelsey Weiss, a Husker Divers DiveCon from Imperial, Nebraska, drove the 24-footer. This was a mixed group, with several newer divers and a few with more experience. Bull Shoals is ideal for a group like this, as many of the dive sites have a combination of gentle slopes or shallow rock ledges and deeper wall dives. Abundant fish and varied terrain make each site unique and fun to explore.
One of the divers had completed her academic and pool requirements over the winter and was doing her required open water dives for certification during this trip. It was a fantastic first open water experience. She even found a mask and snorkel on the bottom during one of her dives.
That mask and snorkel were just some of the dive booty found at a site that turned out to be just about everyone's favorite. Everyone on the larger boat, anyway. Divers from that boat found a $10 bill, a $5 bill, a brand new bass lure, and a nice, useable pair of sunglasses. One of the Husker Divers staff found a new 10-pound anchor at another site, which made a total of two anchors found and hauled aboard on this trip. Various other fishing tackle was found during the trip, as well.
A highlight of the trip for five of the divers was the deep dive. Joe Tyler led the group down 
through the murky thermocline and into the 50-foot visibility below. The water temperature there, at 57 degrees, was not as cold as expected. The group found an underwater forest and swam through the tall, dead trees, ducking under branches and maneuvering around the trunks. One diver dropped down to the sloping forest floor, where she found a huge, white-shelled clam (one buddy pair, 20 feet above, said later they saw her carrying the clam and could tell what it was in the clear visibility). At 121 feet, the bottom continued downward but the forest seemed to thin out. It was time to begin the ascent. A large walleye was spotted briefly on the way up, at around 95 feet. During the safety stop, one diver spent the time building sculptures out of the rocks and slabs of shale on the bottom at about 19-20 feet. The group continued to explore the rocky ledges and overhangs as they made their way back to the boat.
through the murky thermocline and into the 50-foot visibility below. The water temperature there, at 57 degrees, was not as cold as expected. The group found an underwater forest and swam through the tall, dead trees, ducking under branches and maneuvering around the trunks. One diver dropped down to the sloping forest floor, where she found a huge, white-shelled clam (one buddy pair, 20 feet above, said later they saw her carrying the clam and could tell what it was in the clear visibility). At 121 feet, the bottom continued downward but the forest seemed to thin out. It was time to begin the ascent. A large walleye was spotted briefly on the way up, at around 95 feet. During the safety stop, one diver spent the time building sculptures out of the rocks and slabs of shale on the bottom at about 19-20 feet. The group continued to explore the rocky ledges and overhangs as they made their way back to the boat.
Back at the resort, the group spent the evenings grilling on the deck outside the rooms and swapping stories. Pontiac Lodge Resort was ideal, with very clean rooms and kitchenettes in each room. The kitchenettes are stocked with pots and pans, dishes and utensils. A charcoal grill sits outside eatch room (bring your own charcoal and lighter fluid). All linens are provided.
The marina staff was professional and friendly. Our two pontoon boats ran great and were clean and well-maintained.
This trip to Bull Shoals was absolutely wonderful, as was the June trip. Next year's two trip dates are set, and divers can contact Husker Divers for dates and to reserve your spot. Call the store at 402-420-6338 or e-mail huskerdivers@prodigy.net with any questions. Or stop by the store at 5600 S 48th Street in Lincoln (1 block south of 48th Street and Highway 2, across from Sonic). We hope you'll join us next year!
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