I went today and found stuff all. The area directly below the bridge is a disgrace, but the rest of the river is actually ok. Had a chat with a black snake, lizards, turtles, cows and sheep and ate a few blackberries.
I classified in test holes all the way up and back for seven and a half hours. Found one tiny sapphire, a heap of transparent pink, plus green. All about one, to two mm each.
I won't be going back. Nice walk though.
Baz.