What not to do.

 

 

  All prospectors know to keep their mouth shut about where they are prospecting,a good way to get

your area cleaned out.

 We were on the Umpqua river,not saying which fork,finding some nice gold,very tiny colors,but enough

to keep it fun,even with a bad back.A woman and her daughter swam across the river asking what we were

doing,we said we were panning for gold,finding small pieces,now and then.We went back a month later

to the same place,nothing.Someone had gone through and used a dredge,clean as a whistle,not even one

color,oops.We have gone to another area since then,finding better color.There is gold to be had,but,it is

tiny,takes a long time to even get a gram.East of Cottage Grove,and once you get past the hills south of

that town,both sides of the road,on most creeks and rivers,tiny colors,all the way to California.Hard on your 

back,make sure you know what the laws are on using different equipment,or,you can get a ticket.Also,you do 

not want to be prospecting on someone's claim.Some people say a pan is no problem,just no dredge, sluice

box,or high banker.Others may swear for a while,maybe show a sidearm,all the while calling the

police.Claims must have a marker on all corners,or at least,corners where people can access the claim,along

a road.Look for those,if you find them,move on.

Like many,prospecting has been a family thing for years,it's fun,and beautiful surroundings,the dead quiet

of night except the moving water.If you leave trash,expect to be turned in,prospector's do not leave trash,it

is carried out.How would you feel if your child had their foot cut open by a broken bottle,someone threw

into the river.You would be pissed off,and want to have words with the jerk.Ask to go on land owned

by a person or company,look like your a nice person,they might let on the land.If your polite,you have

a better chance.

I do not understand the confusion of murky water,sure a dredge kicks up sediment from the water,but,trout

can be seen eating the tiny critters sucked up by it.What about fall,and winter?Those seasons cloud

the water for weeks,spring to,the water looks like cheap hot chocolate.Do we find thousands of dead fish

because of the seasonal run off,nope,it is part of the cycle of life in water ways in Oregon.Sure the spawning

season should be guarded from disruption of those gravel bars,too many people mean disaster for fish.    

Dredging can be beneficial for streams,creeks brooks,and rivers,if done in mindful manner.