Bayfield area...end of June.

[terfmop]

I just pulled in from a trip to Wisconsin. I was able to do a two tank dive on Tuesday(26th).

I dove with Superior Adventures dvie shop, located at the Pike's Bay marina in Bayfield, WI.  I let Terry know I was a novice diver looking for an appropriate location to dive.  He took me to two locations just off of the Bayfield marina.

First dive was to a submerged Model-T located 70' down.  Entry was right off the pier rocks; a very easy giant stride. Water vis was about 20'-25'.  My 7 piece did a great job at keeping me warm despite the 43 degree temps at the bottom.  There was no abrupt thermocline, just a gradual drop in temp al the way down.  Not many fish were seen; a few bass and a single rainbow trout.  Terry said he has not yet heard how the Model-T found it's way to the bottom of Lake Superior, apparently the story is lost to time.  As a beginner, I found the dive well within my limits, had no problems descending or ascending.  The weather was perfect that day, as there was no wind and the water was very calm.

Second dive was to an old timber barge named 'The Finn McCool'.  It was abandoned in 1964 just south of the Bayfield marina.  It is located in 20' and parts of the boat can be seen sticking out of the water.  Entry was a short swim from shore.  All over the bottom was abandoned timber.  Several crayfish were seen, but not many fish.  We then swam over to an old railroad piling which was rumored to have fish.  Only thinkg I saw were a few fishing lures.  The most difficult part of the dive, was the completion of the dive.  After surfacing from the railroad pilings we had quite a swim back to the shore.  I wouldn't reccomend this swim to someone that isn't in shape.

Although I had wished to view more fish, the dives were perfect for a novice.  If I had more time, I would have like to see more of the dive sites around the Apostle Islands area.