HI Tommy You are in the right place but you may want to distinguish to the members what type of mining you would like to do as in sluicing, drywashing, metal detecting, re-circulation and so on. Also how far west, AZ, CA, OR, WA, CO, SD, MT and so on. I am sure that a lot of members will reach out to you as individuals or chapters. It is great to have you back, if you have any questions I am in the GPAA office usually Monday through Thursday in California at ext. 177.

Thanks Mr. Eason
Well gold is what I'm after.
We pan and sluice.
I been looking at the American River the northfork part.
But I ain't sure
Gonna do my homework over the next few months and, listen as well.
I just am worried I will stuck out in the spring with my new wife and well you know I would like her to catch the fever right away with some color.
I found gold in the k River in Oklahoma a few years ago but not much like about a few colors is all. So
I would really appreciate any input from members. And again thanks for your reply Mr.Eason.
Tommy....

If you get up to the west central part of Oregon, drop me a pm, or call me (will provide # on request) I'd be more than happy to show you the Quartzville Group.  Gold can be spotty, but is there.,,Mostly fines, small flakes with occasional bigger flakes and small picker.  Water is generally a little high til June, just depends on winter conditions and snowfall.

If the right w/e, can probably arrange a small outing with the Brownsville Chapter.

Be careful on the American, in fact any gold bearing river here is California.
Many are claimed or private properties. As well as the Auburn state rec area that encompasses Folsom Lake, the rivers both above and below the reservoir.
Sluicing and panning "normally" is allowed, NO motorized equipments at all. Check the regs and maps for the Auburn State rec area.
Fortunately, GPAA has many claims in the NorCal area, some with year round water, some not.
Spring time could be too much water in some areas depending on time of spring.
As you stated, do your due diligence research.

Are you coming to spend some time, or time limited ?

Bill

Thanks Arthur!
Will do. And we may get that way.
Thanks again
Tommy...

Thanks Bill
Is there good gold in the northcal area? And as far as time goes. We can stay as long as we want. That depends on how everything goes.

There is "good" gold in NorCal, getting to it can be a chore.
( Is there any bad gold ? )

Time will allow you to check out claims and spend a little time enjoying the area

Bill

Hi Mr Hall
we live in Red Bluff CA and are looking for places to go to do some metal detecting. Probably within an hour or two drive. I am a GPAA member and I have a claims book but could use some advice on a couple of starter kinds of trips. If you know of any GPAA claims I can look them up in the book and then figure out how to go about getting there. We have a fifth wheel and can go anywhere. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Dave

Who the hell is Mr. Hall ? LOL Please call me Bill, Although I have been called worse

I dont MD. I also wont recommend any claim to MD, because I dont know.
This is not meant to be mean or disrespectful but, get out of California to MD, or at the very least, hit the high deserts of California.
Staying within populated area's means you will dig alot of trash, shell casings, cans, old pull tops, bottle tops just to list a few.
In the MD world, they recommend digging all targets, after a day of digging trash, it kinda wears on a person.
Big gold is out there if one can get through the trash.

There is gold on the Sacramento River above Lake Shasta, be cautious, many area's are claimed and or private property, however there are open area's above Shasta, Pollard Flat comes to mind.
Dont mind the poison oak in the area, you wont notice the rash for a couple days. LOL
GPAA does not have any claims that I'm aware of in the Red Bluff-Shasta area.
I see three claims in Butte county, seven claims in Plumas county, four in Placer county, two in Sierra county.

Good luck in your search,
Bill

As with any gold prospecting, do some research for gold areas, bring proper gear and clothing for the climate and season.  It is always a good idea to know the rule and laws.  I would try to contact members in the area for some tips and hints.  

Main thing is don't get to serious.  

Have fun, enjoy the scenery, the adventure.  If you get out towards Arizona, send me a message.  

We don't mind a few coming along on our trips.

As with any gold prospecting, do some research for gold areas, bring proper gear and clothing for the climate and season.  It is always a good idea to know the rule and laws.  I would try to contact members in the area for some tips and hints.  

Main thing is don't get to serious.  

Have fun, enjoy the scenery, the adventure.  If you get out towards Arizona, send me a message.  

We don't mind a few coming along on our trips.

As with any gold prospecting, do some research for gold areas, bring proper gear and clothing for the climate and season.  It is always a good idea to know the rule and laws.  I would try to contact members in the area for some tips and hints.  

Main thing is don't get to serious.  

Have fun, enjoy the scenery, the adventure.  If you get out towards Arizona, send me a message.  

We don't mind a few coming along on our trips.

Sounds like good advice Jeff. Thanks
And if we get out there to Arizona
We will hit you up!
Tommy...

The first thing and the hardest thing is to learn to pan, it is the first step you use to locate the gold and the last step to suck it up. Our club teaches people to pan all the time, the kids are easier to teach then the adults. Watch youtube videos . Everybody pans differently, find what works for you. I always recommend buying some concentrates, panning out all the gold, and then pan the material again to see what you are losing.

Now when it comes to reading the river it is an art. You will have to sample areas and find the gold streak. Some people use metal detectors to find the streak of black sand to be certain they are on the gold streak.

Join your closest chapter and go on digs with them and watch and learn.

And please, always use a walking stick, the river rocks are so slippery you will be falling. With a walking stick you can maintain three points of contact and save you knees, ankles, back, and rear end.