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Gold panning

JNRBRONC

JNRBRONC

Well-Known Member
I guess I'm a little nostalgic for the old days, read a lot of books about those who explored the new frontier. One desire of mine was to try my hand at panning gold. A google search revealed the Libby Creek PUBLIC Recreational gold panning area. Most of times, any area that has any appreciable gold are privatized. This area remains open to public because most of the gold is in the flake form and it takes MAJOR effort to pan enough to make it economical. So this drives the "gold hounds" away and allows for those who just want to try their hand at panning a flake or two, or maybe get lucky and find a "picker" like I did Tuesday. A picker is a piece of gold that one can "pick up" with their fingers, which is rare for Libby. Steel BB on the left, picker to the right. It made my trip!

There is plenty of info for those who care to search for it on the internet. I would gladly share my experience here or via pm/email.
 
Nice.. we saw a couple gold panners in an eddy in the Arkansas River near Buena Vista while rafting class 4 and 5 rapids last week
 
Good stuff JNR, congratulations, I assume you are out of state on vacation.

Believe it or not, I know someone here in Iowa that pans for gold. He has a homemade sluice box set up in his back yard and everything. He has done enough research that he will target certain areas in creek and river beds and then go there and dig a dozen 5 gallon buckets worth of mud/dirt and then bring them back to house and "run them".

I was helping him once and he found what I would call a big flake. He added that to his collection, which was a baby food jar about 1/3 full. I was quite surprised to learn that you could find gold at any quantity in Iowa. If I recall, I think he had roughly $100 worth. Not enough to live on, but a fun hobby.
 
Daver said:
Good stuff JNR, congratulations, I assume you are out of state on vacation.

Believe it or not, I know someone here in Iowa that pans for gold. He has a homemade sluice box set up in his back yard and everything. He has done enough research that he will target certain areas in creek and river beds and then go there and dig a dozen 5 gallon buckets worth of mud/dirt and then bring them back to house and "run them".

I was helping him once and he found what I would call a big flake. He added that to his collection, which was a baby food jar about 1/3 full. I was quite surprised to learn that you could find gold at any quantity in Iowa. If I recall, I think he had roughly $100 worth. Not enough to live on, but a fun hobby.
Click to expand...

I bought my gold panning kit on-line and the booklet that came with it claims you can find gold in every state.....

If you put enough effort into it. :D
 
JNRBRONC said:
I bought my gold panning kit on-line and the booklet that came with it claims you can find gold in every state.....

If you put enough effort into it. :D
Click to expand...

I have a good source for gold about 5 miles from my house. Consistently produces half ounce gold pieces or bigger. It's called a pawn shop!!!:D

Just kiddin buddy!
 
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