Behind the Name: The Windy Digger

The name The Windy Digger comes from where I spend a lot of my time—Portage and Main in Winnipeg. You can say I worked that corner for just over 10 years... No and not that kinda worked! It’s often called one of the windiest spots in Canada. Is that officially proven by science? Probably not. But if you’ve ever stood there for more than five minutes, you already know the answer.

The wind at Portage and Main doesn’t just blow—it commits crimes. It comes out of nowhere, funnels between buildings, freezes your face, and somehow always hits harder when you’re already cold. It’s the kind of wind that steals hats, flips umbrellas inside out, and makes you wonder why anyone built a city there in the first place. After a while, though, you stop fighting it. You just accept it and carry on.

Working in that environment shaped my attitude. You learn pretty quickly that complaining doesn’t help. You show up, you do the job, and you deal with whatever the day throws at you. Over time, that constant wind became a symbol. If you can handle Portage and Main on a bad day, you can handle just about anything.

That same mindset follows me when I’m out metal detecting. Windy? Cold? Miserable weather? Rough ground? Bad signals? None of that matters. You keep swinging. You keep digging. Most of the time, you’re pulling up trash. Sometimes you’re sore, tired, and questioning your life choices. But every once in a while, you hit something special—and that’s what makes it worth it.

The Windy Digger is about grit, persistence, and not packing it in just because conditions aren’t perfect. It’s about earning your finds, respecting the history buried beneath your feet, and laughing at the elements instead of letting them beat you.

Is Portage and Main officially the windiest spot in Canada? Who knows.
But it feels official—and that’s good enough for me.

Windy Digger Merchandising Company

Robin Paul Paré

Rob is a passionate metal detecting enthusiast with a deep love for uncovering lost history. But for Rob, it’s not just about the finds — it’s about the people. He thrives on connecting with fellow detectorists, sharing knowledge, and building a strong, supportive detecting community. Whether he’s out hunting solo, organizing group events, or helping someone new get started, Rob is always ready to dig in and make a difference — one signal at a time.

Comments

Top 5 Myths About Metal Detecting (That Just Won’t Die 😩)

Okay, so listen. Metal detecting is actually a legit hobby. Like, real people do it. With machines. Outside. On purpose. But for some reason, people believe the most ridiculous things about it. So let’s clear some stuff up. Here are 5 metal detecting myths that need to get buried forever. (See what I did there?) Okay, so listen. Metal detecting is actually a legit hobby. Like, real people do it. With machines. Outside. On purpose. But for some reason, people believe the most ridiculous things about it. So let’s clear some stuff up. Here are 5 metal detecting myths that need to get buried forever. (See what I did there?) Myth #1: You’re Gonna Find Treasure and Be Rich by Friday LOL okay Indiana Jones, calm down. Yes, it’s possible to find cool stuff. But like... most of the time you’re digging up bottle caps, rusty nails, or that one weird old spoon that makes you question your life choices. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if I’ve found gold yet, I could ac...

DIY! How to Fix Broken Coil Ears on an Metal Detecting Coil

If you’ve been swinging the Minelab Equinox long enough, chances are your coil ears may eventually crack or break — and, let’s be honest, it usually happens after the warranty runs out . Don’t panic — this blog post walks you through how I repaired my 11" Equinox coil ears using Plastic Bonder JB Weld , a strong two-part epoxy. It’s a simple, inexpensive fix — and I’ve included photos for each step (which you’ll find below). What You’ll Need: Plastic Bonder JB Weld (2-part epoxy for plastic) Toothpick or small stick (for mixing and applying) Cardboard (for coil ear spacing and mixing) Rubbing alcohol (for cleaning) Paper towel or cloth Optional: painter’s tape or clamp Gloves (recommended) Step 1: Clean the Area Thoroughly Before doing any repairs, clean around the broken ear with rubbing alcohol to remove dirt, oils, and dust. Let it dry completely. Step 2: Mix the Plastic Bonder JB Weld Squeeze equal parts of the resin and hardener onto a piece of ca...

Detectorists Gone Wild: One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Trauma

WARNING!!! If you don't like crude photos don't read on! "Dude… I Don’t Think This Is Treasure." Okay, so picture this: It’s a random Saturday, weather’s decent, and I’m out doing my thing with the metal detector in this small forest next to an old, sketchy-looking property. Like, the kind of place where you'd either find buried loot or an old toilet seat — no in between. Anyway, I’m scanning the ground, just minding my business. Birds are chirping, trees are swaying, and my detector starts going off like, BEEP-BEEP-BEEP , in that “OH MY!, something good is here” kind of way. I get hyped. Could be a coin. Maybe a ring. Maybe pirate gold. (A guy can dream, okay?) So I start digging. About six inches down… I see it. Something black. Kinda smooth. For a second I’m like, “Oh sick! Maybe it’s a bag of gold or one of those weird vintage Louis V bag or something.” Spoiler: It was not that. It was NOT that at all. Uhhh… What Is That? So I pull it out (bad choice of w...

How a metal detector actually works in simple terms

What’s Actually Happening Under Your Metal Detector? (And How to Find More Stuff) So you're out there swinging a metal detector like a treasure-hunting Jedi, but have you ever asked: What’s this thing really doing? Like, how does it know there's a rusty nail down there? Or a coin? Or your future retirement in gold bars? Let’s break it down—no science degree required. The Coil: Your Detector’s Superpower At the bottom of your detector is the coil—that big circle thing you wave around like you’re casting spells. But it’s not magic. It’s actually science. Here’s the basic deal: The coil sends out invisible magnetic energy into the ground. When this energy hits metal, it causes something called “eddy currents” in the object (fancy term for tiny electric swirls). Those eddy currents push back with their own magnetic vibes. Your detector senses that “pushback” and goes “BEEP!” That’s it. That’s the moment you start digging like a pirate who’s found a clue. Beep...

One-Spot Wonders: My Best Find from the Smallest Spot

One-Spot Wonders: My Best Find from the Smallest Spot You know those moments where your gut says, “Just give it a quick swing” ? Well, this story is exactly that—and it taught me a lesson I won’t forget. The Setup It was a long day out at a rural permission I’d had my eye on for months—an old farmhouse with history stretching back to the early 1900s. Most of the yard had already been combed over. I’d pulled a few relics earlier in the day, a button or two, a rusted spoon, and plenty of old iron junk. The usual. After hours of detecting in the hot sun and feeling like I’d tapped the place dry, I called it quits and started packing up. But as I walked past the side of the house on my way back to the van, I noticed this little 6x6 foot patch of grass wedged between a crumbling concrete step and the base of a downspout. Honestly, it looked like nothing. Too tight to swing in, trampled flat, and filled with roots. But that itch hit me. The one that says, “Just swing the coil one...

Beginner Guide for Metal Detecting: Top 10 Simple and Easy Rules

1. Don’t Be a Dirt Goblin. Fill Your Holes. If you dig a hole and leave it like a raccoon went to town on it, you're basically telling the world you have no manners. Fill it in, pat it down, and make it look like you were never there. 2. Ask First, Dig Later. Your detector isn’t a “go anywhere” pass. Parks, private land, beaches—ask permission. It’s not jail, but trespassing might get you there. 3. If It’s Trash, Stash It. You will find garbage. It’s part of the deal. Just carry a bag and toss it in there. Be a trash hero. The world already has enough jerks. 4. Respect the OGs. If you see another detectorist, don’t be a weirdo and start scanning next to them like you’re in a metal detecting mosh pit. Give space, say hi, maybe trade stories. 5. Don’t Hunt Angry. If you’re mad, maybe skip the hunt. Swinging around a metal stick with rage isn’t fun for anyone, and your detector will probably sense your bad vibes and beep at squirrels. 6. Know Your Beeps, Bro. Every b...

Talkin’ the Talk: Metal Detecting Lingo in Real Life

Talkin’ the Talk: Metal Detecting Lingo in Real Life Metal detecting has its own language — a mix of wit, wisdom, and hard-earned experience. If you've ever wondered what terms like "canslaw" or "coinball" really mean, here's a walk through a day in the dirt using all the slang we love. No glossary here — just stories. Clad I kicked off the morning with an easy park hunt. Thirty minutes in and I already had a pocket full of modern change. Not a relic in sight, but hey — clad adds up. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps the hunt alive. I call it “battery money.” Digger The sun was barely up, and the ground was still cool from the night. I drove my digger in deep, working around a faint signal. Clean plug. And there it was: a crusty 1919 Wheat penny. My digger's been with me for years — it’s practically an extension of my arm. Heartbreaker I got a solid tone under an old oak tree and my heart jumped — it was hitting high, steady, and deep. I was sure I...

Update May 25, Bucket Sorting: Rediscovering Forgotten Metal Detecting Treasures

After years of swinging a detector and chasing beeps in the dirt, you end up with a lot of stuff. Some of it’s exciting right away, and other things... well, they get tossed in “the bucket.” You know the one—the catch-all container for the rusted, the weird, the unidentifiable. Mine sat untouched in a crawl space for a couple of years until curiosity got the better of me. Bucket #1 So, I pulled it out, dusted it off, and started the satisfying process of bucket sorting . It’s like a time capsule of past hunts and forgotten excitement. Axe Head with a Story One of the first items I pulled out was this old axe head (photo #2). Caked in rust, but still holding its form. The shape and wear suggest it could be early to mid-20th century. What really caught my eye, though, was the faint lettering still visible on one side. It looks like it might say " AMGENT " or something similar, possibly a brand or owner's mark. I haven’t nailed it down yet—if anyone out there recognizes it...

Cheap Metal Detectors vs. Brand-Name Detectors: The Ultimate Trash or Treasure Debate

Alright, so you’ve decided to get into metal detecting—awesome choice! Whether you’re hunting for buried treasure, lost jewelry, or just really enjoy digging random holes, you need a good detector. But hold up! You go online and see a sleek-looking detector for $500 from a trusted brand… and then right next to it, some random website is selling a similar-looking one for $50. What gives? Are you about to score the deal of the century, or are you buying a plastic stick that barely works? Let’s break it down. 1. Build Quality: Will It Survive More Than One Dig? Brand-name metal detectors (think Minelab, Garrett, Nokta, Fisher) are built to last. These things are like the Jeeps of metal detecting—tough, reliable, and can handle mud, sand, and you accidentally dropping them when you trip over a root. Chinese knock-offs? Yeah, not so much. They’re more like the dollar store version of a toy lightsaber. Looks cool in the ad, but the moment you actually use it, something’s gonna snap. Mo...

The Day I Nearly Drowned: A Metal Detecting Trip I’ll Never Forget

August 1st, Wild Oaks Campground. It started out like any other detecting adventure. I had my wetsuit on, headphones over my ears, detector in one hand, scoop in the other. I waded chest-deep into the lake, thinking everything was fine. The water was calm. The sun was out. I was in my zone. Me in the stupid suit! But then I took one more step—and the world dropped out from under me. I had hit a massive drop-off near the dock, and there was no warning. One moment I was standing on solid sand, the next I was in deep water, my feet scrambling for bottom that just wasn’t there. I tried using my scoop to push myself back up, but I couldn’t find anything to stand on. The wetsuit that should’ve helped me fl...

Search This Blog