View Full Version : Viz at conger alley
Helen and I dived CA last night and the viz was .... sh!te. However, the conditions topside were excellent: glass calm, clear skies, light snow on the hills, pink sunset. Really beautiful. The viz throughout the dive was less than a metre, with a slight ebbing current.
Does anyone know whether it's possible or not to predict the viz at sites in Loch Long. For example, does ebbing tide = low viz? Does a flowing tide flush the toilet, so to speak? I have a feeling that this may be the case, and it would be worth trying to dive Conger / Caves / Finnart /etc. on an incoming tide.
Any thoughts?
bubblemaker
24-03-06, 16:49
Vis at conger is invariably better when the tide is oot. oh... and last wed...i was playing with the octopus that's there, and had about 4-5 meters vis..(tide was oot)
Hi Bubblemaker.
Welcome to Conger Alley.
This link should show a 7-day tide table for Conger Alley:
http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/easytide/EasyTide/SelectPrediction.aspx?PortID=0401
So next Thursday low water is at 6.30pm. Ideal ... if your theory is correct. You up for testing it. btw where does the octopus live?
bubblemaker
26-03-06, 18:17
the octopus' location is clasified!! it lives in a fairly capacious hole, with a tiny entreance that unless you have eyes like a 'shit house rat' or know where it actually lives, you have very little chance of finding!! and given the size/ amount of congers, and the fact that a seal patrols these waters, i don't want it scared away!! So if you want to see it... dive with me!
Well.....
The words 'diver soup' come to mind!
The vis was quite bad - tide was coming in when we went in and nearly high tide when we finished.
That help any of your theories?......
Have a good week!
Hi Urchin.
Welcome to Conger Alley.
the octopus' location is clasified!! it So if you want to see it... dive with me!
How about Thursday evening? We can test your low tide theory as well ...
The viz throughout the dive was less than a metre, with a slight ebbing current.
Does anyone know whether it's possible or not to predict the viz at sites in Loch Long. For example, does ebbing tide = low viz? Any thoughts?
Update for today.....
Vis was shockingly bad! Cant remember the last time i was there and it was that bad!
Tide was more or less fully in.
On the plus side though we did find these dudes http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lynseyallan22/Psolusphantapus.jpg and http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lynseyallan22/Psolusphantapus2.jpg which im certain is Psolus phantapus - is a sea cucumber that is only found in the North of Britain and even there it is not very widespread. There was a group of about 3 of them, at 10-12m just where the sandy/gravelly bit and the reef meets at Conger.
Happy diving at the weekend! (i'm working all weekend :( )
bubblemaker
01-04-06, 02:12
i'd be inclined to agree with little urchin!!! it was bloody awful today.. was kkind of like diving in a nice beef stock!!! which resulted in me seeing bugger all, no congers, no octopus, oh.. i did see... wait for it.... a painted goby!!! inmpresive stuff huh??? one dive, 25 minutes under the water, and i saw a 2 inch fish!!! oh, and it was bloody freezing as well... there are some days you should just stay in bed..
bubblemaker
08-04-06, 00:48
ahhh.. it occurs to me that previous threads might make it seem like I'm not a fan of this site!! On the contrary.. IMHO it is the best site we have near Glasgow. the variety of life that can be found on the reef is staggering, the entry is very easy..and in times of acceptable vis.. it is an amazing dive.
obviously different people dive for different reasons, and different people like different things.. but i reckon..the only problem with conger... is that all too often..it is over dived.. by other people who seem to dive it..'just so they have been in the water'
I think it is an amazing site.. and i really wish.. all these people who rocket over it and don't actually look at anything would bugger off and dive the caves!!!!
I have personally seen... a seal, octopus, tadpole fish, sea scorpions, pipe fish, ballen wrasse, saithe, goldsinny, dogfish, dragonettes, rock cook; black, leopard, and painted gobies, common prawn, lobster, nudies, and bugger loads of anemones, urchins, crabs, and various other stuff....
tell me one site... one site.. that accessible, that close to Glasgow.. that offers that???!!?!?!?!
go on...tell me..
I have personally seen....... nudies, and bugger loads of anemones, urchins, crabs, and various other stuff....
Excuse me, but i have never dived conger in the buff!!! :eek:
tell me one site... one site.. that accessible, that close to Glasgow.. that offers that???!!?!?!?!
go on...tell me..
... the caves? :rolleyes:
Don't get me wrong BM, I also lurv Conger (I love it so much I bought the fekin domain ferrchristsakes), but I also dig those caves, man. Espesh at night, in good viz, with a few other divers silouetted by their torches in the middle distance. The overhangs gives good atmosphere you just don't get at Conger. Plus it's less than a mile as the seal swims from Conger, so the fauna you get there, you'll also get ... er there. I'm losing track of my sentence. gotta go for some breakfast ...
BTW I need to be off line for a few days. You, Urchin and Gogs are in charge. Don't let the newbs flame eachother!
Had an incredible night dive here in November 2004. Surrounded by hundreds of Shrimps, all frantically attracted by the Diving lights. They were constantly bumping regulator, mask and the Light. Very impressive
bubblemaker
09-04-06, 18:54
Excuse me, but i have never dived conger in the buff!!! :eek:
ahhh.. what a pleasant thought!!! If only!! :D :D :D
Had an incredible night dive here in November 2004. Surrounded by hundreds of Shrimps, all frantically attracted by the Diving lights. They were constantly bumping regulator, mask and the Light. Very impressive
Thats happened to me once before too!
It was amazing, kind of freaky too! All these shrimps zooming about like bumble bees bumping off of you!
*checking log book....* It was October 2004 it happened to me!
Wonder if its a seasonal thing?
Had an incredible night dive here in November 2004. Surrounded by hundreds of Shrimps, all frantically attracted by the Diving lights. They were constantly bumping regulator, mask and the Light. Very impressive
Hi Keith how r u its a great site for some pics if the viz is good
Saw your red sea gallery on the SSAC site. look like it was a good trip.