panning for gold ?

[goatilocks]

I live in North Ga, about 30 minutes from Dahlonega. Back in the early days, they had a goldrush there so I know there is gold in "them thar mountains". I thought it would be fun to pan for some, but have no clue in which area of the river to try. In a bend is what Ive heard, on the far side of the bend. Up near the bank? In the middle? Anywhere there is sand? Help!

 

[Boogity]

I have a friend who goes to that area to pan of gold every spring. He goes to a place off of Rt. 52 south of Dahlonega. I think it's called the Oar House or something like that. He has not found enough gold to brag about lately but 4 or 5 years ago he came home with a little glass tube full of gold pieces. With the gold prices today it would be a fun way to try to hit a home run. Good luck.

 

[Wifezilla]

my dad used to gold pan. never got much, but it kept him out of trouble and got him plenty of fresh air! : gig

 

[k0xxx]

my dad used to gold pan. never got much, but it kept him out of trouble and got him plenty of fresh air! : gig

These days one would best be sure where they are panning, and the laws that are involved. Between Fed law, state law, filed claims, etc., there can be a of opportunity for getting a fine at the least, and jailed at the worst. I'd do an online search for clubs, such as rockhounds, gem and mineral societies, or panning, in the area and join. That would be the fastest and safest way to learn the ropes. Here is a page with a list of clubs in Georgia.

 

[Lady Henevere]

DH has done some panning/sluice boxing here in CA. He once told me the best places to look are under big rocks, under tree roots, and around obstacles where heavy stuff would get lodged as it flows along the river during times when the water is fast and rushing (when gold may have been dislodged further upstream). Good luck! Let us know if you find anything.

 

[old fashioned]

OMGosh! This thread sure brings back memories.... We've done this for years & it's alot of fun for the whole family. DH used to have a dredge that would suck up all the material, then we'd pan it out. He had to sell the dredge because it was too big for his back & we haven't been since (2? years I think). We all sure miss going At best we'd find enough to pay for our trip.
Anyway, some tips in general.......look for bedrock (a good sign of possible gold), check moss on any rocks in or near the edge of the river. The moss will act as a trap for fine gold. Don't expect to find big nuggets (although you might), you are more likely to find what's called 'flour' gold that is little more than powder. Gold is gold, no matter what form you find it in.
You can do 'test' pans anywhere, either in the river or along the edge or even along the banks. Most gold travels when rivers run high like after spring runoff or heavy rains or even floods. So check for the high water line along the edges & do some test pans there too. Yes moss & tree roots & such are great for trapping gold. Large rocks in the river act as riffles that during high rushing water moves the gold over the rocks & the gold will settle on the backside.....kind of a natural sluice. When you are doing a test pan, look for black sand in the bottom of your pan.....no black sand = probably no gold.

I agree your best bet all around is to join a local club. Not only will they teach you the ropes, but it's also possible they have some claims that is available to it's members, not to mention just being an all around great resource & great people. DH had been a member of a club here & they had owned several claims that all active members had access too, plus club outtings, etc

If you do get into panning &/or join a club, you're going to love it.

 

[TanksHill]

Sounds fun.

 

[Damummis]

Here in Maine there are a few places we have been. I have my pans and sluice that DH made. I have not hit it rich by any means but it is fun. There is a book that really gave me the "bug". The Next Bend In The River. Learned a lot.

Good Luck.

 

[k0xxx]

I still have a small hand crank dry wash machine (and a few grams of gold) from my younger days, when I helped a friend on his claim in Arizona. Hot dusty work, but loads of fun and it was definitely profitable. Anyone want to buy a dry wash machine?

 

[goatilocks]

Yea, not planing on making the big bucks. But I love the mountains and river this time of year and can probably spend hours sitting there on the rocks watching nature and enjoying the fall. Figured I could take my pan and swirl for awhile.