Just joined yesterday. My name is Les and I am from Batemans Bay. I recently retired and have decided that it is now time to get into a hobby that always appealed to me.
I purchased a pan, did some research and then jumped in. Youtube and the net are top teachers. I have started spending some time around Mogo. Even though the area has been heavily worked over the past 150 years, it is still great being out in the bush in a beautiful part of the world. Finding the odd spec is just a bonus. Unfortunately I found a .27g piece on my third outing. For a while my expectations were high but eventually reality set in........
I am finding that the learning curve is huge. To find any specs in the creek that I am working requires a lot of test panning. Some patterns are starting to emerge but I still get surprised as to where a few specs can be found. A lot of time is spent scratching my head.
Just finished building an 8 inch sluice. I "fell in" in relation to a sluice mat ad and purchased a dream mat. Wasn't sure as to how it would go but was exceptionally pleased as to its performance. I brought home a bucked of classified gravel and ran it through the sluice. Clean up took about 1 minute. Only recovered a couple of specs but after panning the gravel, no more gold was found.
I am now saving for a detector. Would prefer to wait until I can get a good one. Anyone's thoughts on this would be appreciated. I would be spending a lot of time working the local area.
I would also like to make contact with some people who work the local area. It is always interesting comparing notes, refining techniques and learning new skills. I look forward to participating in a number of forum discussions. This web site is both interesting and informative.
Cheers
Les
I purchased a pan, did some research and then jumped in. Youtube and the net are top teachers. I have started spending some time around Mogo. Even though the area has been heavily worked over the past 150 years, it is still great being out in the bush in a beautiful part of the world. Finding the odd spec is just a bonus. Unfortunately I found a .27g piece on my third outing. For a while my expectations were high but eventually reality set in........
I am finding that the learning curve is huge. To find any specs in the creek that I am working requires a lot of test panning. Some patterns are starting to emerge but I still get surprised as to where a few specs can be found. A lot of time is spent scratching my head.
Just finished building an 8 inch sluice. I "fell in" in relation to a sluice mat ad and purchased a dream mat. Wasn't sure as to how it would go but was exceptionally pleased as to its performance. I brought home a bucked of classified gravel and ran it through the sluice. Clean up took about 1 minute. Only recovered a couple of specs but after panning the gravel, no more gold was found.
I am now saving for a detector. Would prefer to wait until I can get a good one. Anyone's thoughts on this would be appreciated. I would be spending a lot of time working the local area.
I would also like to make contact with some people who work the local area. It is always interesting comparing notes, refining techniques and learning new skills. I look forward to participating in a number of forum discussions. This web site is both interesting and informative.
Cheers
Les
