Hello all, new here so any help?

[Shawn G]

Hi ya all, My name is Shawn and I have always been interested in this but have never taken the time till now! To start doing what I want to do. Kids are grown and X-wife (so that should say it all lol) So time for me to enjoy life and do something I find really cool. Hope to hear from ya and any advice thanks!

[PNWoutdoors]

Welcome to the forum. If you let us know the general area you live in we can direct you to some good prospecting spots.

[Sierra Sam]

Rule #1. - If it ever stops being fun. . . . Just Quit.

Rule #2. - Have fun!

Rule #3. - Refer to rule number two.

Rule #4. - Beware folks out there whose sole purpose (business) is that of Mining the Miners.

There's no "easy way" to extract the yeller shinny stuff from its hiding place. You're going to have to work for it.
Now that's not saying you can't enjoy an ice cold brewskie with friends while you're at it. And a smokey grill with somet'n dead on it is always acceptable. . .

But. . . unfortunately, a hole is only as deep as the next BIG rock.

Practice your Pan'n skills. Don't matter what you're pannin, but good pannin means gold not lost in the "process".
My son and I went down to a creek behind the local grocery store to practice. No gold, but when we got down to black sands and garnets we knew we were beginning to get the hang of it.

YouTube's got lots of info in videos there. There's lotsa ways to shake down material in yer pan, but the bottom line is you gotta shake it (gold) down.

Throw a few BBs in your pan along with the dirt. If, when you're down to a little bit of dirt left, you've still gotst dem BBs, chances are you've done a good job of pannin.

Oh yeah . . . . It's more fun to share the experience . . . .

And ALWAYS remember Rule Number TWO!!!

HAVE FUN!!!





Oh yeah, and know where you're diggin. Claim jumpers have been frowned upon for a long, LONG time. They're kinda looked upon like divorce lawyers.

[fishing4gold]

welcome to site Shawn G - lots of good people and info here - just post a question and browse the fourms. . good luck!

[Shawn G]

Welcome to the forum. If you let us know the general area you live in we can direct you to some good prospecting spots.

Hi there and thanks for the reply! I live in Keizer area!

[Mr. K]

Yeah welcome Shawn, and Sam.

Goop post Sam. Only thing I would add is to take lead pellets from shotshells and smack them with a hammer a bit.
If you can retain those at only a S.G. of 11 you can retain Gold at aprox. S.G. of 19

It's a major learning process. Learn to read a river. Learn the laws. Learn recovery techniques. Learn your equipment. Repeat.

[PNWoutdoors]

I live in Keizer as well. A good place to start would be the Little North Fork Santiam River. There are several parks along the lower river where you can find good color with a little practice. I found my first gold at North Fork County Park which is only about 25-30 miles from Keizer, depending on exactly where you live. Any of the public parks are a good place to try though. The gates are locked this time of year, so just park at the entrance to the parks and walk to the river. Another place to try is Quartzville Creek, but it's quite a ways further south. The Little North Fork is great because it's so close to town. Good luck.

[milwaukie_gold]

speakin of LNF..any one been up there in the last couple few days?

[PNWoutdoors]

I'm up there all the time, but not this week yet unfortunately. Will be up there in the next couple days. The water is pretty low right now and will drop a lot over the next week since it's gonna be so dry. Been a good winter as far as water levels go.

[RyanL503]

im gonna be trying LNF soon too maybe saturday