I've been using the new store-bought portable sluice and have been doing very well. I'm getting around 4 flakes per 5-gallon bucket. I just found my biggest flake yet. When I sluice, I do two half buckets, then clean out the sluice and pan that material. Before the bucket is empty, I'll pan the last scoop of sand, and I've found a flake every time doing that.
I know there are a few more flakes per bucket that I'm not getting with my methods. Plus, when I dig into the stream bed, it is two feet down with a post hole digger. That is a small, shallow area of material to process. With gold being so heavy, I suspect that I would do better the lower I can go. I should try digging in areas away from the stream and see what I can get deeper down.
Until I try that, I'll be practicing for the annual "Treasure Hunt" I go to in Battle Creek. There is supposed to be gold in their creek, plus they bring in gold bearing soil to work with. That is in June. I'd rather be scouting around here, but there is time for that yet and I need to practice packing in the equipment and cleaning the sluice at the prospecting site.
I know there are a few more flakes per bucket that I'm not getting with my methods. Plus, when I dig into the stream bed, it is two feet down with a post hole digger. That is a small, shallow area of material to process. With gold being so heavy, I suspect that I would do better the lower I can go. I should try digging in areas away from the stream and see what I can get deeper down.
Until I try that, I'll be practicing for the annual "Treasure Hunt" I go to in Battle Creek. There is supposed to be gold in their creek, plus they bring in gold bearing soil to work with. That is in June. I'd rather be scouting around here, but there is time for that yet and I need to practice packing in the equipment and cleaning the sluice at the prospecting site.
A trail goes two ways and looks different in each direction - There is no such thing as a timid woodland creature - Whatever does not kill you leaves you a survivor - Jesus is NOT a bad word - MSB