I've got gold fever back again.

[et1955]

It's been a hard 2 years after losing a job I had for over 20 years, but I got a new job 9 months ago and finally I am ready to hit the streams again. While I haven't been mining, I have been building new equipment looking forward to test them. Finding ways to deal with the restrictive laws I have to deal with here in Washington state is fun and a challenge. I will not divulge what I built because big brother is watching and that is a warning to all of you mining in mining restrictive states, for now it is legal. Also, I am creating list of all the places that I know that has good gold that I have mined over 30 years, remembering all those places is a fun challenge but also those special memories mining with my old friends that are now gone. I miss them all but my memories keep them alive. Best new year to all of you.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Tesorodeoro]

It's been a hard 2 years after losing a job I had for over 20 years, but I got a new job 9 months ago and finally I am ready to hit the streams again. While I haven't been mining, I have been building new equipment looking forward to test them. Finding ways to deal with the restrictive laws I have to deal with here in Washington state is fun and a challenge. I will not divulge what I built because big brother is watching and that is a warning to all of you mining in mining restrictive states, for now it is legal. Also, I am creating list of all the places that I know that has good gold that I have mined over 30 years, remembering all those places is a fun challenge but also those special memories mining with my old friends that are now gone. I miss them all but my memories keep them alive. Best new year to all of you.

Dedicating 20 years to the same employer means you likely have qualities/skills that put the current workforce to shame. I hope you are moving up. Usually underpaid and UNDER APPRECIATED. They likely are finding out right about now.

 

[BoulderTroll]

It's fun thinking back about all the places I've washed a pan. I decided to try and keep track of them, and made myself a map on google maps.
It's also motivation that I need to get out more and put some more pins on this map.

 

[et1955]

You are just beginning

 

[BoulderTroll]

You are just beginning

Yup! Many more adventures await!

 

[russau]

It's fun thinking back about all the places I've washed a pan. I decided to try and keep track of them, and made myself a map on google maps.
It's also motivation that I need to get out more and put some more pins on this map.

View attachment 2199767

I'd like to do a map like that to track my adventures also ! Google maps you say ! It's been raining and will continue for a couple more days so maybe I'll do that then ! THANKS FOR THE TIP !!

 

[BoulderTroll]

I'd like to do a map like that to track my adventures also ! Google maps you say ! It's been raining and will continue for a couple more days so maybe I'll do that then ! THANKS FOR THE TIP !!

I'd love to see a map of someone who's got a lot more years of prospecting under their belt. Let me know if you need any help getting it going!

 

[Johnnybravo300]

I'm pretty sure in Washington state you could use the "my dredge identifies as a sluice box".
They might even have a parade in it's honor.

 

[russau]

I'd love to see a map of someone who's got a lot more years of prospecting under their belt. Let me know if you need any help getting it going!

Thankyou for the offer !

 

[et1955]

I'd love to see a map of someone who's got a lot more years of prospecting under their belt. Let me know if you need any help getting it going!

Not going to happen, sadly. With the price of gold and finding good place to mine becoming rare we old timers wont share anymore. the knowledge you want must be earned. You must share first.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Not going to happen, sadly. With the price of gold and finding good place to mine becoming rare we old timers wont share anymore. the knowledge you want must be earned. You must share first.

Some really good spots have been ruined by loose lips. Folks come in from hundreds of miles away and ruin it for everyone else. Sometimes the culprit is a website/mag writer telling everyone how good it is in particular areas. The camping, scenery, the abundant gold in every pan. Retired folks innocently spend the week days digging your claim, while you sit at your desk waiting for Friday.

It’s not a sad fact, it’s the tradition of mining secrecy. It’s much stronger than the protection of a good hunting spot.

Find your own gold. It’s not like there isn’t a million pages of mining history archived on Google Books, government funded geologic studies, and great websites dedicated to land matters (shaking my head at certain others right now).

 

[russau]

Yep , as soon as you document a location (mining claim or not ) people will show up claiming they didn't know the land was under a Federal Mining claim and hope you would let them stay for a day or return when you leave ! It never fails to happen !!!

 

[BoulderTroll]

Not going to happen, sadly. With the price of gold and finding good place to mine becoming rare we old timers wont share anymore. the knowledge you want must be earned. You must share first.

Not everyone is trying to steal your secrets. I'm also not foolish enough to think someone is going to share all their spots with the internet. I'm more implying something very generic like my image. Just to see the variety of places of someone has been doing it for a few decades.

 

[N-Lionberger]

Not everyone is trying to steal your secrets. I'm also not foolish enough to think someone is going to share all their spots with the internet. I'm more implying something very generic like my image. Just to see the variety of places of someone has been doing it for a few decades.

I think he was responding to your response to Russau’s comment? I could be mistaken. Prospectors typically keep maps of sampled locations, it’s part of the business and it’s not really typical to share information like that.
There are map programs available online that show where people have mined in the past. Clay Diggins MyLandMatters website has a great map program.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Not everyone is trying to steal your secrets. I'm also not foolish enough to think someone is going to share all their spots with the internet. I'm more implying something very generic like my image. Just to see the variety of places of someone has been doing it for a few decades.

It’s not stealing if you give it away. I’m also considerate of the miners next door. Or the local guys tramping around on open ground.

 

[Assembler]

Not everyone is trying to steal your secrets. I'm also not foolish enough to think someone is going to share all their spots with the internet. I'm more implying something very generic like my image. Just to see the variety of places of someone has been doing it for a few decades.

Why not research at the County records of any area you have an interest in?

 

[BoulderTroll]

I have no problem spending hours of time researching. I love digging up old geo maps, or claim maps from 1900's, DMEA records, all that stuff. The most valuable info is not written down. It's the decades of experience from the miners. But unfortunately, a lot of humans suck. And people have been screwed over by those with bad intentions. So, when someone new comes along looking to learn, they often get shut out. I totally understand.
People always say try joining a club. I did, but the guys here couldn't tell me anything more than "just dig a hole here." They couldn't teach me how and why the gold is where it is.

Not going to happen, sadly. With the price of gold and finding good place to mine becoming rare we old timers wont share anymore. the knowledge you want must be earned. You must share first.

Ed, I'd love for a chance to earn your trust, and maybe in time, some of your knowledge. If you're open to the idea, could I buy you a meal or a coffee, or meet you on the river?

 

[Tesorodeoro]

I have no problem spending hours of time researching. I love digging up old geo maps, or claim maps from 1900's, DMEA records, all that stuff. The most valuable info is not written down. It's the decades of experience from the miners. But unfortunately, a lot of humans suck. And people have been screwed over by those with bad intentions. So, when someone new comes along looking to learn, they often get shut out. I totally understand.
People always say try joining a club. I did, but the guys here couldn't tell me anything more than "just dig a hole here." They couldn't teach me how and why the gold is where it is.

Ed, I'd love for a chance to earn your trust, and maybe in time, some of your knowledge. If you're open to the idea, could I buy you a meal or a coffee, or meet you on the river?

“People Suck” You mean prospectors that don’t want to post maps online of where they have found gold?

“Looking to learn….teach me how and why the gold is where it is” Now that is a realistic goal here. You will find that nobody here “sucks” when it comes to sharing knowledge with screen names. Quite the opposite.

I’ve gone so far as hosting a stranger from across the world to have an opportunity to spend time on claims. Didn’t find much gold, but made a great friend.

I’ve had folks do the same for me. Ray Mills comes to mind.

Your offer to ED is a nice one and it could result in a friendship.

Carry on.

 

[BoulderTroll]

“People Suck” You mean prospectors that don’t want to post maps online of where they have found gold?

“Looking to learn….teach me how and why the gold is where it is” Now that is a realistic goal here. You will find that nobody here “sucks” when it comes to sharing knowledge with screen names. Quite the opposite.

I’ve gone so far as hosting a stranger from across the world to have an opportunity to spend time on claims. Didn’t find much gold, but made a great friend.

I’ve had folks do the same for me. Ray Mills comes to mind.

Your offer to ED is a nice one and it could result in a friendship.

Carry on.

"People suck" is not referencing anyone here. Just the people that would take advantage of someone being kind. Unfortunately, the world is full of them.
Thanks for asking and pointing out that it could be read wrong. I have respect for Ed, and understand his point of view. Definitely not intending to insult.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

By the way “Just dig a hole there” is not terrible advice. You can spend much time predicting where gold will be found.

It is - where it is, and you will not determine that in any other way than digging.

Current geologic conditions are many times no reflection on ancient conditions that deposited gold in a violent or long term manner, which is much different than our 100 year storms.

Many times there is incredible gold lying just 3 feet down. You walk over it on the way to that spot you found something. Miners before you also walked over it.