Ida Aftermath Calls Treasure Hunters

At Rehoboth Beach, many treasure hunters are hoping the remnants of Hurricane Ida will bring them wealth or at the very least an interesting find.

All along the beach there are signs of erosion, but for beach combers it’s not all bad.  As the waves moved off, the ocean dumped colorful rock and shells.

• CLICK ON THE PHOTOS ABOVE TO SCROLL THROUGH OUR GALLERY OF IMAGES TAKEN OF THE TREASURE HUNTERS

With his oversized bright yellow headset strapped onto his head, Wayne Argo is not looking for sea shells by the sea shore.  He and many others have been walking up and down the beach waving their metal detectors from side to side.

”I have been here for five hours looking for the perfect find," says Argo.

He and his buddy are members of the Mason Dixon treasure club in Frankford, Delaware.

Some are expert hunters but others are just curious.  As Gometaldetecting.com explains, being lucky is simply not enough.  You need to learn from people who have been in the metal detecting hobby for years.

There are always a few guys who know their stuff and guess what, they are more than willing to share the information that took them so many years to learn.  If it wasn't for those few experts, man would still be digging clad quarters on the beach.

Treasure hunters say the coasts of the United States are dotted by ancient shipwrecks.  Its beaches are loaded with treasure and are reloaded by Mother Nature every time there is a gale or storm, like a nor’easter.

Argo is clearly an expert.  As he opens his pouch, he doesn't stop walking and scanning; even for a moment.

”Its an old military ordinance, a .50 caliber bullet," he explains as he holds the rusty old bullet used in anti aircraft weapons during World War I.

"I have found lots of things; mostly old coins, including an old large U.S. cent piece (produced in mid 1800's) and a British half cent coin," says Argo.

Most of treasure seekers are equipped with a basic metal detector wand that sweeps across the sand.

”The metal detector emits a sound when it gets a hit. I set it on high so it locks out the bad stuff. It can be very discriminating and knows the difference between good and bad metals," said Argo.

It is a fairly crude looking contraption strapped to his waist with various dials and knobs that looks more like a battery pack. It is easy to tell once the treasure hunters get a hit even if you don't hear the pinging sound which they do.

The beach comber simply bends over and uses a large metal sand scooper to dig into the beach. It looks like a large beer mug with holes. As it is lifted, the sand drops.

Quickly, Argo eyes the find without calling attention to him and he shows little reaction.  This stoic and secretive persona seems to keep others from tracking his way like a flock of sea gulls scraping for a piece of food.

Still, he works in an almost robotic way, swiping the wand across the area to make sure he has found all there is on this stop.

Argo confesses his loot for the day is filled with gold and silver.

“It is the jewelry and chains. We all go for the diamonds and gold," explains Argo, as he lifts his hand off the wand and reveals what appears to be large expensive rings on both hands.

Indeed from this perspective the remnants of Ida are lucrative.

As the waves recede more and the shore is redefined, Argo walks off and laughs, "This is fun!”