Post by 150FromFundy on Aug 21, 2014 18:32:05 GMT -5
While in Maine, Laura and I spent a little time in the Swift River at Coos Canyon. This is Maine’s historic gold district and we were going to get us some. The Swift River is a nice cool place to spend a hot afternoon where the locals fish when they get tired of panning, and pan when the fishing is no good.
Swift River
Coos Canyon
We stopped at the Coos Canyon Rock & Gift Shop where we got a crash course in gold panning technique and etiquette from Rosey and rented some gear. With pan and trowel in hand we hit the river soon realizing we should have paid the extra buck to rent the screen.
Rockhound - Out of his element
Laura – Not just a fictional character in my stories
After an hour of this, we soon realized that gold panning is painful and should be attempted before the age of 50. We were able to get rid of the gravel and get our pans down to the garnet sand (heavies), but were not able to capture any gold.
Sometimes when the fishing is no good, you have to stop at the fish store on the way home rather than bear the shame. Fortunately for me, we did stumble upon an antique shop and talked to a 4th generation local who had panned and fished the river since childhood. I was able to buy a micro-vile of gold dust for $35. He said, “this is what someone who knew what they were doing could pan on a typical day”. I chuckled and handed over my money realizing that gold panning was not my ticket to early retirement.
Darryl.
Swift River gold
Swift River gold
Swift River
Coos Canyon
We stopped at the Coos Canyon Rock & Gift Shop where we got a crash course in gold panning technique and etiquette from Rosey and rented some gear. With pan and trowel in hand we hit the river soon realizing we should have paid the extra buck to rent the screen.
Rockhound - Out of his element
Laura – Not just a fictional character in my stories
After an hour of this, we soon realized that gold panning is painful and should be attempted before the age of 50. We were able to get rid of the gravel and get our pans down to the garnet sand (heavies), but were not able to capture any gold.
Sometimes when the fishing is no good, you have to stop at the fish store on the way home rather than bear the shame. Fortunately for me, we did stumble upon an antique shop and talked to a 4th generation local who had panned and fished the river since childhood. I was able to buy a micro-vile of gold dust for $35. He said, “this is what someone who knew what they were doing could pan on a typical day”. I chuckled and handed over my money realizing that gold panning was not my ticket to early retirement.
Darryl.
Swift River gold
Swift River gold
