Wisconsin Gold
TheRegulator
Posts: 1,217 ✭✭✭
This might be a little OT but there have been similar posts and I thought I would share.
A couple years ago I became more interested in finding gold in Minnesota and Wisconsin and started buying some equipment. Last Saturday, the 19th, I decided to try a spot in Western Wisconsin that is supposed to be pretty good and ended up panning my first gold! Even though it is incredibly small, it is gold, and I was happy. Ended up with eleven small flakes/specks after a couple hours of really inefficient prospecting. Almost every pan had a flake. It was just a beautiful day on a pretty stream with gold in the pan and I had a blast.
Seeing gold in your pan and how it acts gives a true appreciation for its color and incredible density, especially compared to other heavies in the pan. The reluctance of a tiny flake to move when swirling your pan is pretty amazing. And that color is unlike anything else.
I attached a couple pics. First one is of my very first flake and a couple others to show the creek. It is a smaller creek without exposed bedrock, so finding chunkier gold is not likely. Unfortunately, I did not get a group shot of the gold and imaging it in the vial hasn't worked out well. If there is any interest, I might add some more pics if I head back or if some other locations pan out. If you have any pics of gold you have personally take out of the ground, it would be neat to see what others have found.
A couple years ago I became more interested in finding gold in Minnesota and Wisconsin and started buying some equipment. Last Saturday, the 19th, I decided to try a spot in Western Wisconsin that is supposed to be pretty good and ended up panning my first gold! Even though it is incredibly small, it is gold, and I was happy. Ended up with eleven small flakes/specks after a couple hours of really inefficient prospecting. Almost every pan had a flake. It was just a beautiful day on a pretty stream with gold in the pan and I had a blast.
Seeing gold in your pan and how it acts gives a true appreciation for its color and incredible density, especially compared to other heavies in the pan. The reluctance of a tiny flake to move when swirling your pan is pretty amazing. And that color is unlike anything else.
I attached a couple pics. First one is of my very first flake and a couple others to show the creek. It is a smaller creek without exposed bedrock, so finding chunkier gold is not likely. Unfortunately, I did not get a group shot of the gold and imaging it in the vial hasn't worked out well. If there is any interest, I might add some more pics if I head back or if some other locations pan out. If you have any pics of gold you have personally take out of the ground, it would be neat to see what others have found.
The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Thomas Jefferson
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Comments
Your plastic whatever, is sitting on rocks about 5 feet downstream from bedrock. See if
you can find some bedrock that is running opposite to the flow. Good chance you'll see
more color there.
bob
Knowledge is the enemy of fear
Hey, you did it and enjoyed it!
That's what life should be like...doing what you enjoy no matter what the reward.
Best.
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
He gold pans in every state, Its on every sat and monday. Nice find on the flakes,
Here in Washington I spend more on gas going to the river than gold value I find.But its mine
that I found and love it just as much as the eagles I have bought.
I've found a few flakes here & there... it sure feels good.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
It might be richer there than you realize.
I've been dredging off and on for 30 yrs. Usually I pan first to see if it's worth all the work before carrying the dredge. One time in particular I was getting almost nothing in the pan. I wanted to go into town for dinner and call it a day, but my partner said he had driven too far to give up and insisted we throw the dredge in anyway. It turned out to be by far the richest paydirt we ever hit in all these years. He still reminds me about how he shouldn't listen to me. Honestly, a flake in every pan is a good sign.
Unfortunately, I do not get the Outdoor Channel.
A few websites mention that in 1985 the minerals division of Standard Oil Company confirmed significant placer gold in the area, so there is definitely a lot out there. I plan on heading out again next weekend. The Angus MacKirk sluice is gonna get a workout, and if I get some good gold and good pics I will be sure to update this post.