About horsehair snakes--- that is exactly what your skinny little swimming friend was. There really is a watersnake called that and it does look like one. One of my mom's favorite stories of growing up is about one of them that she caught and kept in a bucket for a few days before she released it. I just hope it wasn't in one of granddad's milk buckets. YUCK!!

Cheryl in Maryland
SW Virginia mountains are calling !!!