Hey roadguy1- you can pan in the Pigeon River. As for Townsend, its not the Pigeon River its Little River and I have seen a quarter ounce nugget come out of there. I have dredged it many times and panned, sluiced. Now you can't dredge it anymore. Panning and sluicing is ok. The old timers in the late 1800's took over 3 million dollars worth of gold. IF you can find a gravel bank or some big boulders they are usually good spots. Lots of mercury both natural and left behind by old prospectors. Gold is anywhere from small dust, flat flakes and nuggets, just depends on where you dig. Don't dig in the banks. Lots of people watch after the river. Stay out of the boundaries of the Smoky Mountains Park.