River/Creek Digging???

[davidjett]

Ok, looking for some advice from some with a lot more experience than myself!
I'm taking a metal detecting canoe trip down a local river in a few weekends and plan on metal detecting in creek channels and lower river areas all day. I went last weekend and did some limite detecting in the river and had no problem find targets. The problem I had was actually digging the things out. I've thought about one of those aluminum beach scoops you can buy that you press down with your foot but those of you around rivers know that a river bottom is not near as soft as a sandy beach.

I kneeled down in the river, water wasn't too deep and attempted to dig the target.. Problem is that in the current when I dug out debri it just immediately refilled with. Anyone have any experience digging in rivers and creeks with actively moving waters? What methods have you used and what tips might you be able to share?

Thanks in advance!