FIXXERVI6:
I'll be in the Weston / Clarksburg area so Gilboa would probably be a haul, doesn anyone have any temperature or other information on summersville?
ahhh Clarksburg.
yes that would be a drive to get to Gilboa (about 1-1/2 hours to go from Clarksburg to Parkersburg and then for our group its right at about 4 hours to get to Gilboa).
Clarksburg is closest to Tygart. But...
If wanting and/or needing warm water then I would go to Storm. As its easy to find where to go (right beside the boat dock) the water is bound to be warm right now, and everything is connected with a rope.
If ok with passing on the warm water and wanting what is professed to be the better places in the state then Summersville or Sutton. (sorry to rehash this, but just in case)
Summersville- - check out this website:
http://www.sarges.net/
or possibly:
http://outdoortravels.com/diving_wv_overview_summersville.html
Sarges is the only dive shop that I have heard of. Their website will give you their phone number and with a quick call they can give you current status on the water etc. Last year they "saved" me a couple of trips over with warnings of super murky water and not renting pontoon boats, so probably worth a call before hand no matter what you do. I've only dove the lake a few times. First time was with them off of the pontoon boat (cattle boat with students on that trip). They parked along a wall and everyone was free to do as pleased for the next couple of hours. After getting a chance to see the area and talk to the owner and some other folks they pointed out some "shore entry places". We are attempting to do a quick group trip there sometime this summer/fall and rent a pontoon boat for checking out different coves and what not that are also supposed to be interesting. Depending on how much time you want to spend there's supposed to be plenty to see. The guided pontoon boat you will see lots of rocks, a few fish and depth as far as most are wanting to go. A good light required if going much deeper than 50'ish feet...
Hmmm for most of the lakes in WV I suggest a decent light for anything deeper than 20', and a good light for 50'... tends to get dark fast and certainly helps with communicating.... sorry to digress...
Summersville you could at least locate the dive shop and then be "up and running" ummm err "up and diving".
Sutton is very similar, but no dive shop. Closer to Clarksburg and closer to the interstate. No dive shop so you have to take your cylinders with you. It is however free and the shore dive has similar rocks and fish. Depth might be harder to obtain though... Nice thing with Sutton (beyond the price) is that there is a large bathroom near the boat dock area that has showers and an area to change. Free dive and nice changing area... Simple dive is right next to the beach area. Walk in entry.
No fill stations and/or LDS in Clarksburg, Fairmont etc... If you are bringing your own cylinders, I'm not 100% sure that Sarges is o2 clean but possibly worth the question. They might rent I'm not sure...
I'm not sure if there are other better spots close to Clarksburg- - if there are I too will be interested in reading about them!
Hope this additional info helps.
Dave
