Is it a river I should look in to?

[Griff_a]

Hi all, I'm a newbi to a new area and would like some input if possible, I have a river I am exploring and have good areas of iron stone, quarts, limestone and clay. my question is do I go to the spots along the river most likely and dig to the bedrock panning as I go down like my Gold & Ghost Vol1 and also in my copy of Prospecting for GOLD other minerals and precious stones by Ion L. Idriess suggests or is there other methods I should be trying first?
Just for the record I don't use a metel detector though I am now seriously considering getting one now I have this river I have found.
Any imput would be great, and thanks for taking the time to look at my post.

 

[Diggertom]

The bedrock will be the best part to find gold, especially if you don't know weather there is gold there or not.

At this stage you just need to find a spec to confirm that and bedrock will be your most likely spot for that.

That being said if there is gold in the area you should be able to find gold through out the layers, even a spec or two.

 

[Griff_a]

Thanks for the feedback I am heading back this weekend coming and will be going to the bedrock, but I have my fingers crossed that there is marking all the way down to the bedrock. There was a whisper a while back(25-30 yrs) that three rivers over that a company came in found traces then said to a local that there is not enough gold to make it viable for them. So I started using "Tengraph" two years ago and found my little river under no restictions, so here I shall start, who knows what will come from it.

 

[TheSilentBugler]

Good luck Griff!

 

[Twapster]

If there is gold around it should show up in test pans, but be patient. I have been in areas that showed ZERO gold for a hell of a lot of testing all over the place. Usually areas produce a spec or two regardless and often in top layers.....and disappears as you go down, until u reach bedrock.

However some areas show nothing, until you dig down. So my advice is don't give up until thoroughly tested, and use a sieve so you can also check for gems. Gold only hunters are often throwing away valuable gemstones because they are not actively looking for them as well.