First, use a bathyscope that doesn't leak and has been wiped down to have a very clear view. When in the river, scan over about a 3-foot wide space looking upstream for the side of the muscle sticking out of the streambed. Orient the scope at roughly a 45-degree angle to allow light to hit the stream bed. While looking in the rocky areas this can be difficult because the bed looks pretty dark. You want to really examine mussel shells in the lab prior to going so you have a good feel of what they look like by themselves. This image will make it easier to pick the mussel out from the rocks in the stream. Often they look like split skipping stones. It helps if the tongue is out, which makes them very visible. Be patient, but you are under a time limit so you need to have a solid pace. Always work upstream and when a mussel is found, place a flag downstream as close as possible. If possible place a larger rock next to the specimen to prevent it from being carried away. After processing the specimen it was returned to its original site by the flag. Hollow out a place in the streambed with your hand and place the mussel in the hole you have made with the pointed end of the mussel facing up. Some small debris can be placed around it to prevent the mussel from drifting down the current. Leave the flags in place until the survey is over. This allows everyone to know where the mussels are and minimizes the chance that they will be stepped on while working the site.