Water detecting is one of my favorite metal detecting methods, especially in the summer months. Not only does this type of hunting keep me cool, it relaxes me at the same time. Water hunting is one activity involving metal detecting that is the easiest on my poor `ole, tired body. I mean, let's face it, water supports you when you are in it provided you are in it most of the way. I hunt all the way up to my chin in most cases and believe me, it is at this depth where I find most of the jewelry.

Water detecting takes a metal detector that is water proof of course, and there are many different types. The choice is not as important as the idea of simply getting into the water and hunting. You know, simple logic tells you that where people swim, there is going to be jewelry. Ironically, there are many coins in the water, too . . . Hmm, why folks swim with money is beyond me, but the coins are always there and usually outnumber the jewelry.

First of all, when your hands are in water for extended periods of time, they have a tendency to shrink; hence the rings. Women who wear jewelry other than rings tend to have children with them who are constantly clinging around their necks. I think most of the jewelry I find in the water belonging to women, is directly contributed to their children's actions. They unwittingly, while clinging to mom, pull off her necklaces and bracelets, and even earrings. Well, mom might lose some of her own jewelry, too, but it is the children who provide most of the jewelry finds in the water for water hunters.

Children lose their own jewelry but I need not mention how. If you've seen children frolicking care-free in the water, you know exactly what I mean.

Not all beaches are good providers of jewelry. There is often stiff competition with other metal detecting hobbyists plucking every bit of new jewelry that falls each day. Public beaches, even in the water, are some of the most hunted grounds in the country. You are better off hitting those small, out-of-the-way swimming holes that folks frequent in the summer months to cool off. Here in Florida they are the many springs and small, sandy bottom lakes that dot the landscape. In your area they might be those small lakes, even ponds that are often off the beaten path.

Not all maps show popular swimming holes, not even detailed county maps. The best bet is to find out where they are in your area by word of mouth. My best source has been the Fish and Wild Game Commission and also the Fresh Water Management Authority for my state. One time while sitting in a car dealer's service waiting room, across from me was a uniformed fresh water marine patrol officer. "Do you know of any small, sandy, fresh water beaches or swimming holes that would be good to metal detect in your area?" I asked.

You would be surprised at all the swimming holes I had never heard of that he verbally rattled off to me. I had to slow him down to write the locations on a piece of newspaper to get every one of them. Over the next few weeks I hunted each one and did very well. Most were virgin sites producing quite a few silver coins. All of them produced jewelry finds.

While I hunted some of these little out-of-the-way swimming holes I learned of other places from the people swimming there. Two places I learned about were not even used for swimming anymore because their county governments put in boat ramps. Hunting the sandy areas beside the ramps at both locations still produced jewelry and coins.

Recently I have been flying over my area with the intent of finding more places where there are small, out-of-the-way fresh water beaches. Yes, an aeronautical view is an advantage few ever get to use and my Cessna is perfect for the job.