Drop Everything And Go To California - The Media Says So

[Reno Chris]

I keep reading stuff printed in papers or on other media that is perhaps at best on the verge of sort of true. They are getting desperate for readers / viewers and seem to want to say dang near anything for eyeballs. I heard some funny stories at the GPAA show of folks trying to sneak into the construction area below the Oroville dam spillway - convinced there will be gobs of gold all around because they saw it on TV or in a newspaper. Here are a few recent story lines:

"Gold hunters in the area tell the Chico Enterprise-Record the floods have "rearranged the rivers" and "move things around." That means gold veins that have been hidden for 200 years are suddenly exposed."

"According to CBS San Francisco, the floods also swept gold out of abandoned mines and washed it downriver. "

"While KCRA reports that gold can simply be picked off the ground following major flooding, the best prospecting will come in the summer months when the water has receded."

C'mon gents! We need to head off to those hills if the gold can now just be picked up off the ground. No doubt gravels have been moved around, gold deposited into crevices and new paystreaks formed. But gold veins hidden since before the 49ers arrived now revealed? I'd guess there are not many. Gold washed out of abandoned mines? I'd guess not much. Gold can just be picked up off the ground? I am sure there are a few new sunbakers sitting around here and there, but not many. I do agree that the best prospecting will come in the summer months when the water levels go down and some good gold will be found, but the media is gone bonkers about saying anything to attract attention.

[IDdesertman]

I've had two different media outlets contact me for interviews about the "new gold rush to California!"

I passed. I could have told them about how natural erosion works does add some gold to the rivers, but I could tell they wanted to sensationalize it into something bigger than it is. Gold is are everywhere! Bring a bucket to fill with all these nuggets!

[geof_junk]

With this statement

 "I am sure there are a few new sunbakers sitting around here and there, but not many. I do agree that the best prospecting will come in the summer months when the water levels go down and some good gold will be found "

If they printed that, all of us Ozzies  prospectors will be over there to miss our winter months  

[Reno Chris]

3 minutes ago, IDdesertman said:

I've had two different media outlets contact me for interviews about the "new gold rush to California!" I passed. I could have told them about how natural erosion works does add some gold to the rivers, but I could tell they wanted to sensationalize it into something bigger than it is

Exactly what I would recommend. There has always been some sensationalism in the news, but it just seems like they have thrown news and factual reporting into the dumpster for nothing but sensationalism and hype.

There will be some good gold found and I expect I will do a good amount of sniping and that I will use my SDC fully underwater in a way that I've not used it yet, but I don't expect to see nuggets lying all over the ground everywhere.

[GoldEn]

I think is time to visit my uncle in Sacramento.

Mind you he has a house on Sacramento river.

Last time i visited was few years back and i was not into detecting hobby at all.( been there 4 times so far ).

I spend hours and hours catching catfish from his speed boat in front of the house and skiing my legs out.

Who would have thought i was probably in the best area to look around and see historical part of California gold rush.

 

Well i know what i will be doing next visit.

 

 

Good luck and hope you get few nice ones in "new goldfileds"

 

GoldEN

[Steve Herschbach]

"Yellow journalism"!

[californiagold]

If gold is now layin around after all this non el nino winter rains. then I need to find some of that gold grease they sold during the  original rush. they advertised it that all you had to do was smear it all over ones self and roll down any hill in California and gold would stick to the gold grease. then you just pluck it off your clothes. sounds easier then doing all this metal detecting. 

[Jakepilot86]

Still sounds exciting ? So let's say I knew someone who wanted to come try some California prospecting around that area, what's the best way to make sure he doesnt end up on claims, BLM off-limit areas, private property, etc, but still find some gold? Anybody making trips down there in May?

[beatup]

seems those stories were told in the papers 165 years ago

[Ridge Runner]

I'm sure they will open dredging again.

Chuck