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Post by loki258 on May 22, 2014 20:48:51 GMT -5
I approach a creek like this:
Say I start in an area that I've confirmed gold, even just a speck or two...
I pick a spot as a central area and move out in a radius from that point till I have a large diameter hole a foot or two or three feet deep or more.
I examine the material as best as possible in each layer and removing all large rock/slabs that I run into. Then scoop the loose material and sluice.
I see where I am digging and how the gold appears in the inspection matting. I can tell which direction to dig on the appearance of the matting.
It's really a combination of material and inspection while processing. The inspection is a big part. I can tell dig left, right, or more down... You will see the bigger gold as it won't go far in the sluice.
Dredging and Highbanking inspection is much harder when dealing with such fine material. This is why I prefer sluicing and using hand suckers to get to what the shovel can't.
It's easier to decide the pay layers and path... just my 2 grains worth. 
How do you work a creek? |
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Post by indyme2 on May 23, 2014 5:00:51 GMT -5
I usually just follow 1 of 2 or 2 of 2. They find all the big gold. I am happy with the crumbs. Lol. Cool post, Loki!
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Post by cabarrusgold on May 23, 2014 5:37:07 GMT -5
Basically the same way. In big creeks, I find a weird place and test there and if I find decent gold, I then move to a good location and start digging for production. Also keeping in mind of the streak or line that water will push gold down.
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Post by ywevis on May 23, 2014 6:24:23 GMT -5
I usually go when the creek is flooding, and note low pressure zones in the current creek that I am looking at. If I see a good spot, I try to dredge it.
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Post by loki258 on May 23, 2014 17:39:06 GMT -5
I usually just follow 1 of 2 or 2 of 2. They find all the big gold. I am happy with the crumbs. Lol. Cool post, Loki!   |
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Post by loki258 on May 23, 2014 17:40:28 GMT -5
I don't leave a trail of crumbs!.... lol hahaha |
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Post by ywevis on May 23, 2014 19:19:37 GMT -5
Lol
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Post by shadow on May 25, 2014 7:45:54 GMT -5
Usually do a few test pans to decide where to dig in at, and depending on the location I chase certain clays. Per example- In one area, I go after the green clay and on occasion the blue/purple. When I begin digging down and I find which way the green clay runs I find it best to work horizontally toward the bank instead of following it down.
The blue/purple though is a different story, it's always been hit or miss but always has loads of black sand. As far as working it goes the best way to go with it is down to either BR or the next color clay. It's not very often I find b/p to run horizontally.
There is gold in the red/yellow/gray layers but I generally find it to be micro to dust not really worth running.
Gray is the variable though, if its just a layer of clay-no bedrock pebbles or rocky material- I avoid it, BUT if I'm on BR and there is gray hard pack-that's where I've found some of the best concentrated deposits.
I'm sure this varies area by area but I've found this to be fairly consistent throughout the areas that I tend to prospect.
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Post by cabarrusgold on May 25, 2014 8:49:50 GMT -5
Yep... your right. Decomposed rock is clay. That is where the gold will be.  |
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Post by cabarrusgold on May 25, 2014 8:57:56 GMT -5
If you are in a creek that has good clay, sometimes it is better to hit and work as much clay as possible and not worry so much about getting down to bedrock. Work on averages of total gold collected instead of chasing a maybe picker. Don't get me wrong here, big gold will be on bedrock, but don't overlook or disregard good clay deposits while going down. |
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Post by wtigersc7 on May 30, 2014 13:49:04 GMT -5
I follow Loki, he's a born gold bloodhound...lol I teamed up with Loki last year and we have going busy working the Oconee camp LDMA stream. So I ask Loki once we get on site where to work today.
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Post by indyme2 on May 30, 2014 14:17:09 GMT -5
Loki is my hero. |
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Post by ywevis on May 30, 2014 14:25:13 GMT -5
LOL
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Post by loki258 on May 30, 2014 14:27:03 GMT -5
lol |
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Post by ywevis on May 30, 2014 14:27:39 GMT -5
I might goto loki's spot this weekend...
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