Gold Panning

[kevinb]

I guess I'm having a hard time grasping the idea that a pan 12inches in diameter would be such a threat to fisherys. I could see the possibility if you took it and just started slamming it in a stream and then throwing the rocks,dirt etc. back in the stream(violently) Then their would be an issue. But panning isn't designed that way. You gently scoop,sift..thats it. Pretty smooth movements. If the state thinks that this is destructive. Well I hope that place is fenced off from everything...people and animals. Because apparently this stream is incredibly sensitive to anything. Sounds like typical washington rain would destroy it.

I'm still trying to find info. about the regs.

[eustace]

Kevinb, google gold panning in washington and you can download the Gold and Fish pamphlet from one of the sites there.

[kevinb]

Its alot of reading but so far the only rules against is hydraulic. Nothing against panning...we'll see. This thing is long.

[fishaholictaz]

So far the most gold I pan was in Sumptner Or, I panned a little more than two ounces in a week and at the price of gold thats a good weeks work. Only if I had a dredge.[/quote]
I am from Prairie City Oregon other side of the Blues from Baker City. That is great country found 5 oz. nug with medal detector. Almost every stream has color if you know where to look. Sumptner is a cool place. Where the flea markets going on? great deals:-"

[eustace]

In sumptner we did dry ground panning, what we do is hire a backhoe to cut the ground then we hual water, if we had a dredge in these isolated man made ponds it would be more efficient. Here you need to have a claim and a USFS permit.

Don't get me wrong I know a couple of streams in the northeast corner of the state I know would produce a lot of gold with a dredge. Sullivan Creek is one of them and the state does allow dredging on that stream in certain areas. But don't know how when in that same creek they are trying to save what few Bull trout are left in it. And thats where I do not conflict with my love with our fisheries and my gold fever.

[cavdad45]

I love gold mining! I usually prospect in Southern Oregon near Cave Junction or SW of Medford. I occassionally go to Brice Creek near Cottage Grove when I don't want an extended drive. I have not prospected in Washington, but all federally-owned land is open to mining and claiming of mineral rights regardless of what the state may say. They can regulate the means by restricting seasons or use of suction dredges to protected fish spawning and fry.

I have several (about 14) gold pans. By far the most popular pan, and the one used most often, is the Garrett Gravity Trap Pan, which revolutionized the mining world in being virtually unbreakable and extremely easy to use for beginners.

My favorite pan is the large Trinity Bowl. It's a blue plastic which highlights any color finds nicely. It's a much faster production pan that gets from gravel to blacksands quickly and is easier for processing blacksands than any other pan I've tried.

I do have a large sluice box and a pile of tools and shovels and suckers, its a fun hobby that this season will be more profitable with spot price breaking $1000. I may be able to get enough this year to finally warrant, or atleast excuse, my dredge.

[eustace]

Cavadad45, is Cave Juction in the Siskiyou's near Oregon Caves.

I am looking forward to hitting Sumpter this spring as long as there is no snow.

[fishaholictaz]

Cavadad45, is Cave Juction in the Siskiyou's near Oregon Caves.

I am looking forward to hitting Sumpter this spring as long as there is no snow.

TAKE ME WITH YOU. LOL I miss home John Day Or.

[Rollin with Rolland]

you all sound a little more experienced than me, but i actually just picked up my first pan about three weeks ago. All my friends think i'm crazy. It's not like i think i'm going to strike it rich (that would be like winning the lottery). I just thought that since i love to hike to remote trout streams why not bring a simple 5 oz plastic pan with...you know....in case the fishing is slow. Yes, i have read the gold and fish pamphlet, and panning seems to have more liberal rules then more intrusive methods. thanks eustace for the thread, i'm learning already! Oh, being that i have never seen color, if anyone has a good pic I would love to see it. (i've only been fooled my mica flakes so far)

[cavdad45]

1. Cave Junction is about 40 minutes west of Grants Pass going toward the Oregon Caves.

2. Let folks think your crazy, prospecting is a fun hobby.

3. No, you won't get rich, but you can definitely cover your expenses for a campi/fish/panning weekend.

4. Mica and other forms of fool's gold will not stay in your pan or sluice, it's too light. It goes out with the brown sands.

[cavdad45]

1. Cave Junction is about 40 minutes west of Grants Pass going toward the Oregon Caves.

2. Let folks think your crazy, prospecting is a fun hobby.

3. No, you won't get rich, but you can definitely cover your expenses for a campi/fish/panning weekend.

4. Mica and other forms of fool's gold will not stay in your pan or sluice, it's too light. It goes out with the brown sands.

[cavdad45]

1. Cave Junction is about 40 minutes west of Grants Pass going toward the Oregon Caves.

2. Let folks think your crazy, prospecting is a fun hobby.

3. No, you won't get rich, but you can definitely cover your expenses for a campi/fish/panning weekend.

4. Mica and other forms of fool's gold will not stay in your pan or sluice, it's too light. It goes out with the brown sands.

[Rollin with Rolland]

1. Cave Junction is about 40 minutes west of Grants Pass going toward the Oregon Caves.

2. Let folks think your crazy, prospecting is a fun hobby.

3. No, you won't get rich, but you can definitely cover your expenses for a campi/fish/panning weekend.

4. Mica and other forms of fool's gold will not stay in your pan or sluice, it's too light. It goes out with the brown sands.

thanks cavdad45, all very useful info., i'll post a pic with my first find, (if it ever happens).

[cavdad45]

My first finds would have required an extreme wide angle lens. My first nugget was just big enough to put a post on it for an earring, but I am too much of a wuss for that, so I made it a tie tack instead.

[eustace]

I guess I will have to buy me a Digital camera with my earnings last year. I still have a couple of ounces I have been saving and my fist picker. My uncle and I while Elk hunting last fall tried a creek in Pond Oreille county and foud a decent amount for the couple of pans we did. As soon as this winter run off mellows down we are going to hit it. Yesterday, I heard that there are some creeks raging and cutting up there into the banks and cutting new pathways that should be interesting to try.

[cavdad45]

Sounds good!

[racfish]

Ive done the Raging river off the Snoqualmie,Tokul,The upper fork of the Snoqualmie up by Tinkham.Theres a creek off Elk Heights that was good also.Mostly any stream that flows from the mountains would be good.There are some private stakes near Blwett pass on the old Blewett Hiway.
As far as a pan goes ,Probably any rock shop or Outfitter would have them.There was a place Downtown Seattle that sold metal detectors ,sluece box kits and pans.
Good luck panning.Id be willing to venture out sometime with ya.