Scuba Diving Fast Water in the American River

[@PinkPowerAllyTreasureHunter]

SOOOOO COOL!!! I could watch this all day long !!

[@mokpot]

Aw…Ally! You are so sweet.

[@goofusmaximusII]

I always liked your American river clips.

[@mokpot]

TY Fred, I am glad you enjoy the video

[@davidstadtlander1461]

Great adventure! the speed drifting looks fun, always like to see the fish lurking near by!

[@mokpot]

Sadly I was only able to get a couple of fish on video... things happened pretty fast on this day.

[@ellengraham4677]

So glad you enjoyed drifting in the beautiful water, it didn't matter that you didn't find much but it's a wonderful video so thanks for sharing.😘😘

[@mokpot]

Thank you Ellen...

[@NickatLateNite]

Hey Mark... Those people that left their trash have class... It's just all low! Thanks for the wild ride!

[@mokpot]

LOL

[@mattbyrne1822]

I imagine the river is a lot fuller and moving a hell of a lot faster than last year. Great video. Keep up the great work 👍

[@mokpot]

it isI

[@mattbyrne1822]

And one more thing, the thumbs-up will never get old 😂😂👍

[@mokpot]

👍Great!

[@shirleymatthews2980]

One I missed love the American river👍👍😎keep it safe

[@mokpot]

Always safe! : )

[@rayc.1396]

The rafters that left their garbage are now call ecologists. Great video.

[@mokpot]

I wonder what the peer pressure was in the group that out of the 12 or 15 people, no one was willing to grab it. I would have.

[@glenturney4750]

​@@mokpot: That hole in the rock you were looking for "goodies" in looks like it's an old Indian grinding hole that they used to ground acorns in to make a flour. There are a couple of those across from my place in serpentine rock. Very fascinating, the history.

[@drewmcvicker1445]

WOW, wicked current!!!

[@mokpot]

It was so much fun

[@cheyennemauritz9911]

Awesome hat band and paddle congrats

[@mokpot]

Thank you

[@tammyfrazier8720]

Hello, I love watching you just drift in the water although you be careful. The people have done a pretty good job on picking up after themselves, but that doesn’t help you get the treasure. Keep on filming and I’ll keep watching.

[@mokpot]

Hi Tammy. this whole year has been a little slack on "treasures" which I suppose can be seen as a good thing. There are a lot more people out hunting the water these days, with all the KZbinrs out showing how fun it can be it is only natural that others will start enjoying it as well.

[@jond988]

Big current, deep holes, always looking for treasure in the depressions. Water just a hair too fast. Stripers always interested in shiny objects. Great dive!

[@mokpot]

Thanks Jon

[@kdpjsp]

Great video! Glad to see you back. I was missing you!

[@mokpot]

Thank you for tuning in!

[@underthesurface4435]

Great footage.

[@mokpot]

Thank you

[@shirleymatthews2980]

I miss the American river some day you will find a big chunk of gold keep it safe and thanks for video

[@mokpot]

Shirley, I need to remember to look for gold! What I really need is to be familiar with what placer gold looks like under water!

[@glenturney4750]

​@@mokpot: Do you have a metal detector? Mine is waterproof down to 10 feet of depth.

[@mokpot]

@@glenturney4750 I sure do, I have a few metal detectors. two are rated to 200 feet. The problem is using them in river currents which, brings up at least two (or 3) issues. One being having so much gear hanging off of me, this creates snag hazards and drags in the water. second, using a detector underwater can be quite tiring "swinging" it against the water, which is 800 times denser than the air. Often in the river current it requires me to hold on to something to prevent being swept downstream, so detecting and attempting to recover a signal is done with just one hand/arm. Recovering a signal can take a long time, with a limited air supply...

[@Tuk9978]

The river look nice😊

[@mokpot]

Thank you Tuk. 🙂

[@mikehurricane5767]

Hey Mark ,,,,, Wow ,,,, that current brings back memories of diving in the inlets in South Florida ! I never had to buy saltwater fishing tackle . Even a cast net which , BTW, I still have ! Just a wall hanger now. Thanks,,,,,,,,

[@mokpot]

Mike. I also have an awesome casting net I found in the river, which I need to hang!

[@capttom7772]

LOOKS COLD ! When the camera was being dragged when you lost your grip...I waz twistin and duckin and bending ... Just like I was there ! NICE 👍

[@mokpot]

LOL. I hope you didn't bonk your head on anything. not to cold... mid 60sF

[@geraldingram9351]

Wow that looks hard, the river is so fast, not many people on the river, water is clear.

[@mokpot]

It was a good day.

[@Mrrnobody]

This is awesome I grew up on this exact stretch of the river! Amazing summers great times. I wonder if you could search the San Juan rapids I heard stories from my family they used to dive there in the 80s and 90s and would find all sorts of rad stuff too! Currents strong but non the less great spot👌🏻 This totally made my day thanks 💯

[@mokpot]

Hello Nobody, this was just below the SJ rapids. I have friends who've them, but they do it 'free diving' with no tanks. I have on a couple of occasions attempted but it is to shallow for me.

[@tinman7130]

That had to be strenuous fighting the current. It was funny the kayak people wanting to know if you needed a lift. Interesting dive and I guess it was a semi official one what with the boat fin.

[@mokpot]

Yes,,, the fins are the hot item these days

[@mokpot]

Maybe fun should make them official…🤔

[@MsAliceinwonderland]

Bravo 👏 👏 👏

[@mokpot]

Thank you Alice

[@JT-xh4zm]

Another fun video. Seems like you get adopted by at least one fish in each video. They always turn to look at you like they are saying....hey, follow me! Thanks for sharing!

[@capttom7772]

Yes ! ... although I look at the fish in a different view kinda like; "Are they at least Pan Size"⁉😂

[@mokpot]

🙂The fish are usually hoping I will kick up an easy meal for them I think...

[@RandolphRelicRecovery]

Strenuous dive.

[@mokpot]

It was, Scuba diving can be very good exercise... if you do it right.lol

[@glenturney4750]

​@@mokpot: Have you ever been to upper Lake Clementine?

[@RandolphRelicRecovery]

@mokpot when I was young in the keys. I used to drift the reef in a 13 ft whaler. When I saw a fish or lobster, i wanted. I would ride the anchor down. The water was usually 30 to 40 ft. Well, within free diving range.

[@mokpot]

I have not, That lake is not a friendly design for scuba diving.

[@Mutley-qn2bn]

Looks like you might need to wear a crash helmet with some of those obstacles. Enjoying you videos. Regards from Lindsay, "Down Under" (Adelaide, South Australia)

[@mokpot]

Y'know, years back I looked into helmets, some people wear them cave diving. They were one size only and to small for the big head with a hood.

[@befrea]

Thanks Mark, enjoyed the trip up the river! I especially like when you show your dive watch. I am always curious about the depth and water temp.

[@mokpot]

I try to remember to show it

[@metaldiver]

Strong current, dive scooter is good way to dive there, whitout it impossible.

[@mokpot]

It would be possible if the goal was to end up way downstream. 😂

[@debbie4220]

Too dangerous!! Back to the lake! I leaned a lot! Thx!

[@mokpot]

LOL Debbie! that means you had fun also maybe.

[@debbie4220]

@@mokpot I never said I didn’t!! LOL!

[@donniesavage2051]

Never thought about looking for gold there might be some gold and those crevices

[@mokpot]

This is gold country....

[@burningsandsexploration3711]

I have some friends that pan for gold on the American River. My son-in-law used to Scuba dive for gold there with his dad. Have you done any of that?

[@mokpot]

not really, but I would like to try

[@alanatolstad4824]

Mornin' Mark, this was one wild ride! (Did you pick up that hat in the last shot?!)---I liked the topside view of the current, helped put things into perspective!

[@mokpot]

Good Morning Alana's did not pick up either hat. It may sound silly, but they would have acted with the same effect as a sail would on a boat, in the water they would drag me around and perhaps have caught on something.To sum it up... it was dangerous to take them in these conditions. I hope all is well with you.

[@alanatolstad4824]

@@mokpot The 'sail' makes sense, I did think you hesitated just a blink before moving on. Not the same conditions as at the lake.

[@wandlbaker]

You made a comment (in text) that the river is surprisingly clear this year. Well, no duh. Higher than normal rain fall/snow fall and that increase in flow will tend to "FLUSH" the system of loose stuff. Stay safe Mark.

[@shirleymatthews2980]

No need to be smart ass

[@alanatolstad4824]

It does make one wonder just how far downstream most of the stuff Mark usually picks up actually ended up...?

[@mokpot]

True story Mr. Baker! I love it when we have high flows, not only does it clean it up, it rearranges everything, giving me new things to explore.

[@glenturney4750]

Yeah, what happened to this "drought" California is supposed to be having? I think it's just a bunch of political garbage, 'cause in the past when we've had wet Winters and Springs and lots of snowfall, the lakes filled up, then newsom let it all out through the dams to flow back out into the ocean to make our water sources low, so he could fine everyone for using too much water. Strange how HIS yards were always green though?

[@lifeisgoodenjoyeachday438]

Great video, really demonstrated how the river speed can effect your movement. I'm a metal detector and nothing gets under my skin more than lazy inconsiderate people leaving trash around. Keep working on the audio it's close to working. Cheers.

[@mokpot]

The audio is never going to be any good with the cameras in water proof housing. but I tried

[@roylamkin7177]

Please stay safe

[@mokpot]

Safety is always on my mind Roy… TYSM

[@rickdearmont9950]

So, what is the ‘smelly juice’???

[@mokpot]

It is the smoking alternative, VAPE juice, they have quite a variety of "flavors" all are very strong smelling, the containers sometimes leak, I toss them before I travel home (when I remember)

[@Cola64]

was that Freddie Krugers Hat?

[@mokpot]

I sure hope not! Kinda looks like....

[@KurtElliott]

I picked up a park pass the other day and I was not too happy when I seen they do not let you park by the water anywhere anymore, that's democrats for you! you can't even drive down to the water st Sunrise now! The high water we had must have flushed the litter out of the river!

[@mokpot]

well, the 1/4 mile hike carrying 100+ pounds of dive gear and accessories keeps me young...😥

[@KurtElliott]

@@mokpot Hey, I'm not old as I smell !!!

[@philipcallicoat3147]

Since the middle of the 18th century the American river as well as much of the State of CA's waterways have been dredged and torn apart by gold seekers....I didn't see a fish during your dive...💔

[@mokpot]

There were several… although you did need to look hard as the blend with the water… i think I labeled on in comment…🤔

[@ricoswavez1024]

How far are you from Lake Tahoe? Kyle

[@mokpot]

2.5 hours

[@Rasputin-p4e]

Where American River located? Im a Frenchman.

[@mokpot]

Hi It ends where it merges with the Sacramento River. This confluence occurs near the California state capital, Sacramento. From there it is easy to follow it on a map/Goggle Earth. Thanks for tuning in