I personally assure each viewer that Matt and Connie's information is spot-on. The tools and techniques they give so freely are a genuine "blueprint" for successful Treasure Hunting. Learning these fundamentals are a shortcut around years of trial and error fumbling. Thank You Matt and Connie.
Facts! He was the whole reason I was able to find my first bit ole gold! If only I could sit down with him and pick his brain and listen to the decades of story.
My Grandfather, Walt McAllister was prospector up Cow Creek, my father was raised upper Cow Creek mining claim. Grandpa was also Pocket Miner, he triangulated to locate gold source, his brother Archie would work stream to locate beginning and end of gold so Walt work hillside digging down for pockets of gold above stream. They also worked Applegate River Jackson County, had patented claim. 1920s 30s 40s yes there's gold up in them hills.
Good to hear from you too! We've moved to Wilmer (Mobile), Alabama - Connie had a bad fall just before we sold the fish camp & had 3 screws put in her hip in Dothan - and that hasn't gone well at all. This coming Tues. (July 2) she'll go into the Infirmary and have a total hip replacement. We're hoping that will go well (Dr. Zarzor has quite a bit more experience than the whiz kid that operated on her at the emergency room in Dothan). At any rate - that's how it's going . . . I put an update here: ruclips.net/video/S-UazHQSA7Q/видео.html (just click out of the commercials if there are any) that shows what we're doing (bare acre - we're improving it).
Thanks from the bottom of my heart Matt for all you and your wife’s hard work putting these videos up over the last couple decades, they are top notch. I subscribe after watching the first video I seen of yours from 5 years ago that focused on the Umpqua River near Cow creek. Back in 85 I actually went at the age of 11 in Alaska with my parents who bought a claim near Chicken, Alaska for the summer. I recently called my dad asking him about that trip and how successful we were and unfortunately, we made more money from selling the claim to a friend than actual gold. My dad is a major pessimist unfortunately and said the only people who get gold are the big companies that dig/drill deep into the ground and that you’re never gonna succeed just panning on the river with a sluice box and medal detector like I just bought to prove him wrong hopefully and make both him and myself a believer. Well, let’s just say after watching hours of your videos you and your wife gave me hope that I can possibly find gold right here in Oregon where I live after all. My wife, son and I live less then 2 1/2 hours away from Cow creek/Riddle and just over 2 hours from the Umpqua river near i5 you recommend even more then Cow creek so it is an extremely good surprise both locations are so close. Like I said I already bought a Gold Bug Pro metal detector, a 10” and 15” pair of snake skin pans, a sluice box, and the other recommended accessories to make a 100% effort. I’m a proud extremist and I actually bought real gold so I can practice with my equipment especially my metal detector so I become proficient when I’m actually there. My first concern is not breaking any laws and getting into trouble and second is not stepping on anyone else’s shoes whether their fellow minors or any other landowners. I will definitely do my due diligence and watch some of your other videos again to get it down pat. I do have a question though, and that is now that it’s fall going into November can we try to mine these locations through fall/winter year around or only in the spring/summer? I’m going to assume that there’s the least amount of gold in late summer because people have heavily mined the areas and the most gold is in the spring early summer before it’s been bank robed. Hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised again!
Thanks for that, Connie and I appreciate it very much. The prospecting: you'll know when it is too dangerous - the rains will come and the rivers/creeks (especially the Umpqua) will simply roar like a jet engine. Some of the better places are actually where someone else quit - they've dug the overburden down near the gold in many cases and simply had to go home. Gold does refresh in the winter/spring runoff, but this is a huge area and there's plenty to get for everyone. Don't forget to work cracks - they are collecting the gold like bank vaults. Very best to you and yours in this - it is exciting, fun, and productive over time (that's the key - over time) - we wish you the very best!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, and those are some great extra tips I will never forget. By the way do you happen to have a personal favorite spot on Cow Creek or one good spot for a newbie like me during November with raging water? I’m more interested in nuggets as my wife makes jewelry and I would love to find her one for a necklace. I assume on the Umpqua locations you recommended are safer but I prefer to live dangerously especially if it’s nuggets versus flakes.
@@azrabain8210 : I don't - it's been too long since I've been out there - work the cracks and you'll find the spots. As for working high water - that's out, you can't get to the substantial gold in high water. Low water is when you can get to it. During high water - that's the time to scout - look for eddies where the gold is pushed into the bank - look for drops - look at how boulders either scoop water out behind them or hold water in (they hold gold if in) - then work those areas in low water. Gold gets decidedly bigger from Myrtle Creek upwards (Cow Creek or the S. Umpqua) - bulk gold in flakes (lots of it) from Myrtle Creek and below to the sea (gold dust there). Good luck!
Thank you so much Sir! We scouted cow cr last summer after seeing your previous videos:-) I made a 12volt dredge from a 5 gal bucket and now this summers goal is to come up with the 12 volt hookah and give it a go I like your idea on collection Just get it and process later at my leisure! Maybe thinking too small but I like the electric set up : Quiet (-:
Thanks David - I'm working on a DIY processing unit now to wring the most out of what you take home. Doing some final tweaking now. I am gratified that many are using the advice to take it home and are working out far more gold than they ever could on site. Have fun and enjoy the experience!
@@mattmattsongold nice to connect ! I had a Rickenbacher 360 I’ve recently discovered this technique of leaving the 5 th out of my chords and apparently it’s a thing Shell voicing, its really open up my playing and I think its a trick the kids have been using ie: Foo Fighters You should check out The Beths They’re from Aukland New Zealand and are the newest sensation like back in the day Hope you and Connie are well Blessings!
I get my 1st retirement check next week I have been prospecting and mining gold for over 40 yrs ... And have learned , There is always more to learn I was bumming around the rogue 2 yrs ago I think this year I may head down and muck around Cow Creek and the south Umqua ( thanks to you ) God bless You and Yours
I live up in Eastern Wa. I have figured out how to extract the superfine gold of the snake and clearwater rivers All the deposits are high bench placers , they are everywhere and rich , If they average over 2 gr. a bucket , I go dig some out and bring it home to proccess ( Where'd I learn that ) I have 4 deposits near home and a very rich one ( 6 grams to the bucket ) 2 1/2 hrs away. Usually grab 5-6 buckets at a stop and bring it home When I get up to 15 buckets or so , I proccess it . Pretty easy to get 15 buckets a week.
@@frankbyrd6726 : Excellent, Frank! You are using time to work out a fortune. A very wise man once said "fortunes are built $100 at a time." Very very good! I'm working on a movie on Alabama & Georgia gold right now - very similar to Wa. - it is ubiquitous to every stream, bench, and dirt pile in the gold belt, but extremely fine. Dredges just don't work - all you do is move fine gold from one spot through the box to another and I'm going to try and encourage a similar plan to what you are doing. It just makes sense (for a resident). Again: excellent work!
Have you watched " Aussie Bloke Prospector " on youtube ? He has worked out some economical recovery methods for ultrafine gold Very thought provoking content
@@mattmattsongold have you heard of the Texas gulch nearby they had high carnival for several years every man found 10k of gold every day back in 1920s then a landslide blocked half the texas gulch under 100ft of dirt now?
@@StevenHanover : if you're talking about this I have: mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/show-mrds.php?dep_id=10031173 - didn't know about it being covered though if that is the case - there's so many sites to chase down it's about impossible to know them all. If "Texas" gulch in Texas - no - I did manage to pan an extremely fine bit of gold from the Llano River (I think I spelled that right) but it was barely visible (needed my pocket microscope to really ID it. I'm working hard now on coming up with a unit that will make that kind of gold viable though (a vibratory sluice that will bring big mine methods to the small scale miner).
Thank you again, Mr Mattison. I quite enjoy your videos and I see them as very important material for posterity. Eagerly awaiting any others you may put up.
@@mattmattsongold you certainly do have an attention to detail and your banter informed and extremely enjoyable. I have a claim up Cow Creek on a middle Creek and recently took over the Blossom Mine Sardine creek claim. Your video’s are wonderful to enjoy while cleaning up my buckets from my last trips to the gold field. So mote it be . Until next time and again thank you so much for these videos.
@@Breeder333 : Thanks for that too - great you have acquired a claim to work! I'm working up a prototype shaker to get the most out of the buckets right now. I hope it will be a game changer for fine gold especially - anyway - safe and happy traveling to you!
Good to hear from you brother, you're looking healthy. Hope all is well. Thanks again for the great info. I'll be making a trip down there soon for some gold
Ive been working the south umpqua around winston for the past year. Your information has been a blueprint in many ways so i thank you. Ive found some gravel bars through the winston area that are 100-150 flakes a pan. Havent been able to determine weather this is recent gold or perhaps untouched for some reason.
Very kind of you to say that - thanks - Connie and I now live vicariously through videos new prospectors are making using our methods. It's all good. Bruce Lamell lived in Winston and he an John Baker and I went through that thoroughly. There are 3 boulders in the river (middle of it) that hold piles of gold behind them. We never touched them - maybe you can at some point get to them. Winston in general is loaded with flake gold anywhere we looked so you can do very well there as you've found. Good going! Keep it up and you'll be another that changed you life (good to say: there's more working the river with reports like yours). Everyone (seriously working) is doing very good.
Matt, you and Connie are truly amazing teachers! Thank you so much! I love am your classes and am the info your given over the years! You've taught me tons and helped me get my mining hobby become more full time career. Thanks so much!
Thanks for that and it's great to know you were able to turn a hobby into a career - we're both humbled to know we help and hope you all the success in the world. M&C
Saw one of your videos a few year back have had the fever ever since. I’m currently working out cow nothing super huge but some chunky stuff. Appreciate the info
You're quite welcome - you're in the gold so just work steady and try and work into the heavies - don't leave the spot until it's worked out though. Good going in locating and good luck finding the streak!
@@mattmattsongold any information you can give me on clay? I’m working this gray/rusty colored clay and I feel like pretty much any time I’m digging I’m finding gold. Definitely harder to dig but the gold is the best I’ve found. Seems like the rusty layer is more rich. I know you said don’t leave gold to find gold just curious if you think I’m wasting time dealing with the clay and over burden.
@@CaidenStanton : the gold sticks to the clay - if you've got mask and snorkel - fan off whatever is above it and look at it for gold you can pick off. Clay is a double edged sword - don't know if you're working cracks or working a bar with a sluice - but if a sluice that clay can remove gold too. ---- If you're working cracks - go ahead and get it out as long as you see gold in it. You might just get beneath the clay layer and into some really great gold and try this: take a concreted drill or a wood drill slightly smaller than the crack and drill down into it. You'll know real quick how deep the gold is and maybe how deep the crack is too. I sure wish I was physically able to help. Nothing like what you're doing.
@@mattmattsongold I have checked pretty much every spot you marked along the south hard to find river access anymore and I don’t have air currently, along with the dredging stipulations basically impossible. I’m only 24 it’s still a hobby I’d love to see a day where it was my source of income. Working a sluice in a whole bar of clay typically don’t dig this much but I’m super curious what is under the clay layer just didn’t know if I was wasting my time. I’ve worked cracks, most that I’ve been in are clean I’ve found one piece of stingy gold in the bedrock but I need to find some more discrete places.
@@CaidenStanton : most often - in a bar - there's not much if anything below the clay layer - the gold is stuck on top of it. Clay in a crack - we always removed that - since it can act like a stopper - while gold infiltrates to the sides and slides beneath it. I'm not about to tell you not to remove some clay and check though - we all did - but usually, there just wasn't much there. Thin layer - I'd remove a bunch and look - thick layer (foot+) - I'd think twice, maybe try and find the edges of the clay and check those spots or look for the next spot in your gold line upstream to prospect (downstream is likely more clay).
Yes - with the amount of snow pack, rains, etc., I'm expecting a major replenishment of gold in all the rivers out there. Just don't get in early in spring - it will also be extremely dangerous.
Excellent! My mother and grandmothers told me to "save the antique plates" and not sell them as they'd be worth a mint "someday." It's been almost 30 years since the last one of them died and I might get $3 a piece at the flea market. Nothing holds value like gold.
This will be up to you of course but can be quite daunting in the decision. Do I work in the water (do I even like working in water)? Am I a technical person - do I want to work with metal detectors? Do I want to work in one location or skip around and use gold hunting to see the country (or Earth)? How much money do I have to make this happen - knowing it could take (and usually does) a couple of years to get reasonably proficient prospecting (finding) and mining gold? These are all hard questions - but you've already started and cut years off learning by watching this and I assume other's videos. There is one more you should expose yourself to: ruclips.net/video/paJdwqfBG94/видео.html and consider the business side of it too: claims. When you feel you're ready - make an exploratory trip - see what the country looks like and if you can handle it (physically, mentally and every other way applicable to you). Do a lot of looking before prospecting and decide on an area you'd actually enjoy being in - and then prospect (do what you like). A win win. That's how I would start. Good luck!
hey there just saw the message as I'm watching this again. I'm def in the right place and time I think to start here in So Oregon. And with the fever. But I also appreciate using my brain and tools to do things correctly and not to waste time, money, and energy for naught. I'll check out the link you left if I haven't seen it already. Thanks.
@@mattmattsongold Hi Matt. My name is Tim. I have been a metal detector prospector for about a year now. Not sure if there is a way to talk with you about the area where i live in northern cal. Love your videos. If your interested here is one of my biggest finds this year that I happened to record. I would love to pick your brain about the geology occurrence of this area. ruclips.net/video/oT8B84JKaWc/видео.html
@@beverlytim : now that is a whopper - I hope the other guys view that too - it's not all water by any means. You made a textbook example, scanning roots on a hillside - well done. One of those videos above (gold locations video) has USGS mineral maps for the US - they are very useful (the links no longer work but once you see them start searching their website for those) and some of the Aster images are very useful as well (no need to watch - just scan it in the YT mini viewer until you see what I'm talking about) - Gold by Eye has some good imagery too. -- I'm always available at mattmattson57@gmail.com - but you'll have to be patient I get a ton of email a day. Good hunting out there!
The whole claim thing can be sketchy, the blm does not check exact locations of claims before issuing another over the same ground leaving the poeple to figure it out.They do cash your checks in a hurry,so with the system down often its bad deal.Someone left a comment on one of our videos saying they take a long tube and shove it into deep cracks sometimes yielding very good gold.Another great video and my favorite channel 😊
Thanks for that - it's kind of fun now to see the videos being made on getting gold out of cracks - so we feel good in making those videos years ago. The claims deal was always screwed up - in my day the county would take your money (as if it was a valid claim right then) then you went to the BLM to find it was valid and file with them - and then months later they might send you a notice it's not valid . . . Totally bonkers.
Awesome video! Can anyone tell me what the rules are for the Steve Fork as far as permits for dredging and high banking? I just purchased a claim. Is there any good color? Nuggets or just small stuff? Thank you
I have a question about one of your older videos. After much research and watching the video over and over I think I found the area in Oregon where you suggested "the blacks" can be found. Though the area has changed a bit so I thought I could give a clue and see if I am in the right spot and you can correct me. Did you park the camper at a spot below a large pond. Is the hill containing the blacks behind a fence with federal cattle grazing land next to the camp spot. Was there also a babbling brook near close to the campsite. Is there large basalt vertical columns further up the hill past the brook and fedeal land fence with dense brush vegetation at the base of the columns? I've spent years trying to narrow down that spot in your old video. I would like to know if I was in the right spot and have put in the effort. I have found common orange and red Oregon "jellies" on some opposite hills up the road at a private mine. I just would really like to know if I am in the right area. Your channel more than any other over the years has ignited the fire in me for the hobby. Did I give correct clues to indicated I am in the right spot for the Oregon Blacks that less than 300 people know about? If this is the correct spot. I just want to say that brook is slightly spooky. The sounds it makes all night long sound like ancient native american ghosts. It was quite the experience.
That was a long time ago! The camper was parked near (within 100 feet) of a small stream that crossed under the road (some would call it a ditch but it is actually flowing). The biggest opal dig (at that time) was due east about 1/4 mile. To the S after you walked out of the tree line could see Mt. Shasta and there were some ponds and cattle there. Connie and I were married out there and that was our honeymoon - collecting opals! The "old" guy in one of those videos: Doyle Boyington is the original discoverer of opals in that area and he brought Larry Lake and myself in to prospect the whole (immense) area. Boyington - now in his 90's has just retired from gemstone cutting and teaching a few months ago. Larry Lake lost a foot to diabetes and has retired too. All that to say this: basalt underlies that whole area for miles E. of Lakeview. There is tremendous untapped opal potential - never discount the fact the opals you pick up lead to a vein - they are everywhere out there. Good going on keeping going!!!
@@mattmattsongold Thank you so much. I did not know that was your honey moon. The fine young women I have been with for many years now also accompanies me on my excursions. She came with me to that spot as well. Yes if I recall we camped at a firefighters rest. The road passes the pond then goes over a grate with the creek underneath it then down to a pull off on the right is where we parked. To our left opposite of the basalt cliffs is two roads one leads up to large mining pit and then further on to a well known opal fee digging site. I crossed the creek. Went over the fence (assumed it was federal land as it said federal grazing, so rockhounding should not have been and issue). Alot of what you said sounds familiar and that I was in the correct spot. You have given me a good clue with the shasta reference so I can try to cross reference. If there is anything else you would like to add I would greatly appreciate it. Oh and we are currently driving to cow creek as I write this comment. Just to do some shore line prospecting. Once again thank you for taking the time to respond. I have been watching your channel for many years now.
@@The_Conqueeftador : that is great - good luck in finding a spot on Cow Creek to work. The rains will start shortly so I would assume you would actually be eyeing it for next year. Agree you're probably at the spot in Oregon already. Good job!
I would love to be able to do that again. Used to speak to auditoriums & gymnasiums full of kids, but after a stroke re-wired my brain, I am stuck talking to the camera. There is good news though - these films are geared towards teaching a new generation to teach: and that is you. There is enough information here (and from others too) alone to put together your own program together easily and I hope you and others certainly do. I am depending on it in fact. Good luck to you and the kids! Film it - put it on RUclips as well and get started!
Augustin: if you are a young person - do this the right way, look for geology courses and get a degree if possible - many available online (I just checked) from accredited universities. You can pick up much knowledge watching videos of course - learn how to file claims here in the United States, etc., but a degree will also give you solid credentials for working in many areas. While you're taking courses - you can also learn and do prospecting from what you pick up here and from other videos (if you watch videos from 10 people - in theory you should be better than any 10 of them . . . (why we took each others courses and any course we could over the years - you always pick up something new). Good luck to you!
That would be great - we're in Alabama and retired - but I haven't crossed out coming back out there someday. All that is great gold country - be sure and film it when you find that crack filled with gold! Best of luck to you and yours!
Whoa buddy. 63 lbs? You wouldn't be telling a tall tale would you? Even if gold was worth half as much when you found it that would be a fortune. Let me ask you some questions. 1) When did you find this? 2) I'm curious how and where you sell that much raw gold? 3) What did you do with all that money? Really interesting video. I'm familiar with southwestern Oregon geology and cow creek is well known as a gold producer. There is a public gold panning area near your mentioned sites. Since Oregon passed laws regarding river suction dredging it isn't as attractive to miners. Many claims are closed meaning you can prospect and file a claim in many area's. It is rugged and heavily forested landscape though.
It was a fortune as the price of gold doesn't matter (it was in the $200's then) - but gold buys the same amount of goods today relative to that time. We were in awe of the find and the man who found it. Correct on geology - I had quite a few claims throughout the area. Not important if you believe or not - but very important that I do though. Good luck with your gold hunting!
Also wanted to say I miss the old geocommunicator website. It was very helpful for identifying claims past and current. It's a shame they sold the website to some environmental group whose only purpose was to shut it down once they bought the website.
They do have mine.data - (something like that) I come across occasionally. Play around and see if that comes up. It had some old closed claims that I had and others I recognized so it must be kept up. Good luck!
Put these coordinates in Google earth. 45°01'09.99"N 117°14'14.35"W Im Seeing Iron stains in those obviously different rocky crags jutting up. Surely something came up thru that ancient vent. It's above the Cornacopia Mine. Is my observation It's mother?
Can someone tell me if public prospecting is still allowed along Cow Creek.. Is it still possible for places or an out-of-state guy to go and not run into claims everywhere? I would love to bring my sluice in My Pan and my puppy dog and drive up there and look the place over. I don't want to use a motor of any kind I just use my sluice and my pan.. if someone can tell me,...would I be wasting my time.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I personally assure each viewer that Matt and Connie's information is spot-on. The tools and techniques they give so freely are a genuine "blueprint" for successful Treasure Hunting. Learning these fundamentals are a shortcut around years of trial and error fumbling. Thank You Matt and Connie.
Thanks Larry, you're very kind.
Facts! He was the whole reason I was able to find my first bit ole gold! If only I could sit down with him and pick his brain and listen to the decades of story.
@@OregonUnearthed : Thanks for that - Connie and I wish you well and hope you'll teach others along your path as well.
My Grandfather, Walt McAllister was prospector up Cow Creek, my father was raised upper Cow Creek mining claim. Grandpa was also Pocket Miner, he triangulated to locate gold source, his brother Archie would work stream to locate beginning and end of gold so Walt work hillside digging down for pockets of gold above stream. They also worked Applegate River Jackson County, had patented claim. 1920s 30s 40s yes there's gold up in them hills.
I've see triangulation done - that must have been a really wild area back then! Thanks for sharing.
Every time I take my boys down to Lawson to goof around.. seeing prospectors there My heart YEARNS to search for Gold..!
Good deal! Have fun with those kids.
As ever enjoyed todays offering. Thanks Matt you and Connie have a good year. All the best to you and yours.
Thanks and wish you and yours the very best this year as well!
Good to hear your voice again Matt! Hope you, Connie, and Goldie are doing super well.
Good to hear from you too! We've moved to Wilmer (Mobile), Alabama - Connie had a bad fall just before we sold the fish camp & had 3 screws put in her hip in Dothan - and that hasn't gone well at all. This coming Tues. (July 2) she'll go into the Infirmary and have a total hip replacement. We're hoping that will go well (Dr. Zarzor has quite a bit more experience than the whiz kid that operated on her at the emergency room in Dothan). At any rate - that's how it's going . . . I put an update here: ruclips.net/video/S-UazHQSA7Q/видео.html (just click out of the commercials if there are any) that shows what we're doing (bare acre - we're improving it).
Thanks from the bottom of my heart Matt for all you and your wife’s hard work putting these videos up over the last couple decades, they are top notch. I subscribe after watching the first video I seen of yours from 5 years ago that focused on the Umpqua River near Cow creek.
Back in 85 I actually went at the age of 11 in Alaska with my parents who bought a claim near Chicken, Alaska for the summer.
I recently called my dad asking him about that trip and how successful we were and unfortunately, we made more money from selling the claim to a friend than actual gold.
My dad is a major pessimist unfortunately and said the only people who get gold are the big companies that dig/drill deep into the ground and that you’re never gonna succeed just panning on the river with a sluice box and medal detector like I just bought to prove him wrong hopefully and make both him and myself a believer.
Well, let’s just say after watching hours of your videos you and your wife gave me hope that I can possibly find gold right here in Oregon where I live after all.
My wife, son and I live less then 2 1/2 hours away from Cow creek/Riddle and just over 2 hours from the Umpqua river near i5 you recommend even more then Cow creek so it is an extremely good surprise both locations are so close.
Like I said I already bought a Gold Bug Pro metal detector, a 10” and 15” pair of snake skin pans, a sluice box, and the other recommended accessories to make a 100% effort.
I’m a proud extremist and I actually bought real gold so I can practice with my equipment especially my metal detector so I become proficient when I’m actually there.
My first concern is not breaking any laws and getting into trouble and second is not stepping on anyone else’s shoes whether their fellow minors or any other landowners. I will definitely do my due diligence and watch some of your other videos again to get it down pat.
I do have a question though, and that is now that it’s fall going into November can we try to mine these locations through fall/winter year around or only in the spring/summer?
I’m going to assume that there’s the least amount of gold in late summer because people have heavily mined the areas and the most gold is in the spring early summer before it’s been bank robed.
Hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised again!
Thanks for that, Connie and I appreciate it very much. The prospecting: you'll know when it is too dangerous - the rains will come and the rivers/creeks (especially the Umpqua) will simply roar like a jet engine. Some of the better places are actually where someone else quit - they've dug the overburden down near the gold in many cases and simply had to go home. Gold does refresh in the winter/spring runoff, but this is a huge area and there's plenty to get for everyone. Don't forget to work cracks - they are collecting the gold like bank vaults. Very best to you and yours in this - it is exciting, fun, and productive over time (that's the key - over time) - we wish you the very best!
Thanks so much for the encouragement, and those are some great extra tips I will never forget. By the way do you happen to have a personal favorite spot on Cow Creek or one good spot for a newbie like me during November with raging water? I’m more interested in nuggets as my wife makes jewelry and I would love to find her one for a necklace. I assume on the Umpqua locations you recommended are safer but I prefer to live dangerously especially if it’s nuggets versus flakes.
@@azrabain8210 : I don't - it's been too long since I've been out there - work the cracks and you'll find the spots. As for working high water - that's out, you can't get to the substantial gold in high water. Low water is when you can get to it. During high water - that's the time to scout - look for eddies where the gold is pushed into the bank - look for drops - look at how boulders either scoop water out behind them or hold water in (they hold gold if in) - then work those areas in low water. Gold gets decidedly bigger from Myrtle Creek upwards (Cow Creek or the S. Umpqua) - bulk gold in flakes (lots of it) from Myrtle Creek and below to the sea (gold dust there). Good luck!
More great nuggets of information. Thank you Matt for sharing your knowledge and experience with us all.
I just stumbled across this post. I’m going to watch everything!!!! Thank you so much for your generosity.
You're welcome and hope you enjoy the series - there's about 20 years worth here.
Iv’e been waiting two years for this video.
Thanks Matt
Please share more of your secrets with us!
They're getting harder to do . . . We'll try not to be so long in the future.
Thank You for sharing your experience and knowledge , much appreciated !
You're welcome! I hope you have great results and teach others that come your way.
Thank you so much Sir!
We scouted cow cr last summer after seeing your previous videos:-)
I made a 12volt dredge from a 5 gal bucket and now this summers goal is to come up with the 12 volt hookah and give it a go
I like your idea on collection
Just get it and process later at my leisure!
Maybe thinking too small but I like the electric set up : Quiet (-:
Thanks David - I'm working on a DIY processing unit now to wring the most out of what you take home. Doing some final tweaking now. I am gratified that many are using the advice to take it home and are working out far more gold than they ever could on site. Have fun and enjoy the experience!
@@mattmattsongold nice to connect !
I had a Rickenbacher 360
I’ve recently discovered this technique of leaving the 5 th out of my chords and apparently it’s a thing
Shell voicing, its really open up my playing and I think its a trick the kids have been using ie: Foo Fighters
You should check out The Beths
They’re from Aukland New Zealand and are the newest sensation like back in the day
Hope you and Connie are well
Blessings!
@@davidallen5320 : Thanks for that too - I'll have to check them out!
Thank you for your knowledge . Ive lived in Olympia, WA for 10 years now and am planning a trip this next summer, (2025).
Great information as usual. Thanks Matt!
You're welcome - have a great New Year!
Thank You !
I always learn valuble things from your vids
I get my 1st retirement check next week
I have been prospecting and mining gold for over 40 yrs ... And have learned , There is always more to learn
I was bumming around the rogue 2 yrs ago
I think this year I may head down and muck around Cow Creek and the south Umqua ( thanks to you )
God bless You and Yours
Thanks for that Frank, Connie and I appreciate your (and everyone else's) support making these videos.
I live up in Eastern Wa.
I have figured out how to extract the superfine gold of the snake and clearwater rivers
All the deposits are high bench placers , they are everywhere and rich , If they average over 2 gr. a bucket , I go dig some out and bring it home to proccess ( Where'd I learn that ) I have 4 deposits near home and a very rich one ( 6 grams to the bucket )
2 1/2 hrs away. Usually grab 5-6 buckets at a stop and bring it home
When I get up to 15 buckets or so , I proccess it . Pretty easy to get 15 buckets a week.
@@frankbyrd6726 : Excellent, Frank! You are using time to work out a fortune. A very wise man once said "fortunes are built $100 at a time." Very very good! I'm working on a movie on Alabama & Georgia gold right now - very similar to Wa. - it is ubiquitous to every stream, bench, and dirt pile in the gold belt, but extremely fine. Dredges just don't work - all you do is move fine gold from one spot through the box to another and I'm going to try and encourage a similar plan to what you are doing. It just makes sense (for a resident). Again: excellent work!
Have you watched
" Aussie Bloke Prospector " on youtube ?
He has worked out some economical recovery methods for ultrafine gold
Very thought provoking content
Exceptional information thank you
You're welcome - good luck out there.
@@mattmattsongold have you heard of the Texas gulch nearby they had high carnival for several years every man found 10k of gold every day back in 1920s then a landslide blocked half the texas gulch under 100ft of dirt now?
@@StevenHanover : if you're talking about this I have: mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/show-mrds.php?dep_id=10031173 - didn't know about it being covered though if that is the case - there's so many sites to chase down it's about impossible to know them all. If "Texas" gulch in Texas - no - I did manage to pan an extremely fine bit of gold from the Llano River (I think I spelled that right) but it was barely visible (needed my pocket microscope to really ID it. I'm working hard now on coming up with a unit that will make that kind of gold viable though (a vibratory sluice that will bring big mine methods to the small scale miner).
Thank you again, Mr Mattison. I quite enjoy your videos and I see them as very important material for posterity. Eagerly awaiting any others you may put up.
Thank you F.R. Working on one now, but they take a long time to do, I try to pack as much information in as possible. Thanks again.
@@mattmattsongold you certainly do have an attention to detail and your banter informed and extremely enjoyable. I have a claim up Cow Creek on a middle Creek and recently took over the Blossom Mine Sardine creek claim. Your video’s are wonderful to enjoy while cleaning up my buckets from my last trips to the gold field. So mote it be . Until next time and again thank you so much for these videos.
@@Breeder333 : Thanks for that too - great you have acquired a claim to work! I'm working up a prototype shaker to get the most out of the buckets right now. I hope it will be a game changer for fine gold especially - anyway - safe and happy traveling to you!
Good to hear from you brother, you're looking healthy. Hope all is well. Thanks again for the great info. I'll be making a trip down there soon for some gold
Good deal! Grab a bunch of buckets and take them home to process - be safe in your traveling. Absolute lowest water in summer.
Approximately 2.7 million as of today. Amazing strike! Great video Matt, thanks for the wonderful video!
You are most certainly welcome!
Ive been working the south umpqua around winston for the past year. Your information has been a blueprint in many ways so i thank you. Ive found some gravel bars through the winston area that are 100-150 flakes a pan. Havent been able to determine weather this is recent gold or perhaps untouched for some reason.
Very kind of you to say that - thanks - Connie and I now live vicariously through videos new prospectors are making using our methods. It's all good. Bruce Lamell lived in Winston and he an John Baker and I went through that thoroughly. There are 3 boulders in the river (middle of it) that hold piles of gold behind them. We never touched them - maybe you can at some point get to them. Winston in general is loaded with flake gold anywhere we looked so you can do very well there as you've found. Good going! Keep it up and you'll be another that changed you life (good to say: there's more working the river with reports like yours). Everyone (seriously working) is doing very good.
Thank you for the reply I really appreciate that.
I found the 3 boulders the other day on my kayak. Sitting in front of that piller of bedrock. I'm freediving it today to get a sample.
Matt, you and Connie are truly amazing teachers! Thank you so much! I love am your classes and am the info your given over the years! You've taught me tons and helped me get my mining hobby become more full time career. Thanks so much!
Thanks for that and it's great to know you were able to turn a hobby into a career - we're both humbled to know we help and hope you all the success in the world. M&C
Thank You Matt, I hope this year finds You & Connie Well & Blessed !!
Stay Safe
Thank you and you and yours as well. Connie went through a cancer scare but we're good now - hope all remains well with you and your family too.
Thank you for sharing Matt!
You're most welcome.
Saw one of your videos a few year back have had the fever ever since. I’m currently working out cow nothing super huge but some chunky stuff. Appreciate the info
You're quite welcome - you're in the gold so just work steady and try and work into the heavies - don't leave the spot until it's worked out though. Good going in locating and good luck finding the streak!
@@mattmattsongold any information you can give me on clay? I’m working this gray/rusty colored clay and I feel like pretty much any time I’m digging I’m finding gold. Definitely harder to dig but the gold is the best I’ve found. Seems like the rusty layer is more rich. I know you said don’t leave gold to find gold just curious if you think I’m wasting time dealing with the clay and over burden.
@@CaidenStanton : the gold sticks to the clay - if you've got mask and snorkel - fan off whatever is above it and look at it for gold you can pick off. Clay is a double edged sword - don't know if you're working cracks or working a bar with a sluice - but if a sluice that clay can remove gold too. ---- If you're working cracks - go ahead and get it out as long as you see gold in it. You might just get beneath the clay layer and into some really great gold and try this: take a concreted drill or a wood drill slightly smaller than the crack and drill down into it. You'll know real quick how deep the gold is and maybe how deep the crack is too.
I sure wish I was physically able to help. Nothing like what you're doing.
@@mattmattsongold I have checked pretty much every spot you marked along the south hard to find river access anymore and I don’t have air currently, along with the dredging stipulations basically impossible. I’m only 24 it’s still a hobby I’d love to see a day where it was my source of income. Working a sluice in a whole bar of clay typically don’t dig this much but I’m super curious what is under the clay layer just didn’t know if I was wasting my time. I’ve worked cracks, most that I’ve been in are clean I’ve found one piece of stingy gold in the bedrock but I need to find some more discrete places.
@@CaidenStanton : most often - in a bar - there's not much if anything below the clay layer - the gold is stuck on top of it. Clay in a crack - we always removed that - since it can act like a stopper - while gold infiltrates to the sides and slides beneath it. I'm not about to tell you not to remove some clay and check though - we all did - but usually, there just wasn't much there. Thin layer - I'd remove a bunch and look - thick layer (foot+) - I'd think twice, maybe try and find the edges of the clay and check those spots or look for the next spot in your gold line upstream to prospect (downstream is likely more clay).
Good stuff. Thanks for passing down the knowledge.
You're welcome - hope you and yours have a great time using it!
I cannot wait for good weather!!! This summer is going to be amazing! ❤
Yes - with the amount of snow pack, rains, etc., I'm expecting a major replenishment of gold in all the rivers out there. Just don't get in early in spring - it will also be extremely dangerous.
Thanks Matt! Greatly appreciate you're help sir!
Happy to help!
My largest nugget came from cow creek back in the 80s. It was a 2 pennyweight nugget. We pulled a 3/4 dwt nugget also.
That is great! Glad this brought back those memories.
I'll be back in the field soon! I'm feeling that gold is a good hedge against inflation
Excellent! My mother and grandmothers told me to "save the antique plates" and not sell them as they'd be worth a mint "someday." It's been almost 30 years since the last one of them died and I might get $3 a piece at the flea market. Nothing holds value like gold.
Smart man .enjoyed the video .
Glad you enjoyed it - I've just put one up today on the current situation and impacts to come.
Matt I appreciate you so much thank you
You're welcome Travis.
Hey Matt, good to see you posting still, are you planning on coming back out west this year by chance?
We've been trying to come back to the west, but it won't be this year unfortunately.
thanks for the video. Now how to begin my prospecting journey.?
This will be up to you of course but can be quite daunting in the decision. Do I work in the water (do I even like working in water)? Am I a technical person - do I want to work with metal detectors? Do I want to work in one location or skip around and use gold hunting to see the country (or Earth)? How much money do I have to make this happen - knowing it could take (and usually does) a couple of years to get reasonably proficient prospecting (finding) and mining gold? These are all hard questions - but you've already started and cut years off learning by watching this and I assume other's videos. There is one more you should expose yourself to: ruclips.net/video/paJdwqfBG94/видео.html and consider the business side of it too: claims. When you feel you're ready - make an exploratory trip - see what the country looks like and if you can handle it (physically, mentally and every other way applicable to you). Do a lot of looking before prospecting and decide on an area you'd actually enjoy being in - and then prospect (do what you like). A win win. That's how I would start. Good luck!
hey there just saw the message as I'm watching this again. I'm def in the right place and time I think to start here in So Oregon. And with the fever. But I also appreciate using my brain and tools to do things correctly and not to waste time, money, and energy for naught. I'll check out the link you left if I haven't seen it already. Thanks.
@@vasilissakellaridis8846 : yep - you're in the right place for sure. Have fun!
Don't forget about Golden Oregon and the Gold fields use of the Ruble Rock Elevator to work Coyote Creek.
That's an area rich with gold too - and all the way through the back way into the Klamath (Happy Camp) Ca. Good observation.
love it, Thank you
You're very welcome.
@@mattmattsongold Hi Matt. My name is Tim. I have been a metal detector prospector for about a year now. Not sure if there is a way to talk with you about the area where i live in northern cal. Love your videos. If your interested here is one of my biggest finds this year that I happened to record. I would love to pick your brain about the geology occurrence of this area. ruclips.net/video/oT8B84JKaWc/видео.html
@@beverlytim : now that is a whopper - I hope the other guys view that too - it's not all water by any means. You made a textbook example, scanning roots on a hillside - well done. One of those videos above (gold locations video) has USGS mineral maps for the US - they are very useful (the links no longer work but once you see them start searching their website for those) and some of the Aster images are very useful as well (no need to watch - just scan it in the YT mini viewer until you see what I'm talking about) - Gold by Eye has some good imagery too. -- I'm always available at mattmattson57@gmail.com - but you'll have to be patient I get a ton of email a day. Good hunting out there!
The whole claim thing can be sketchy, the blm does not check exact locations of claims before issuing another over the same ground leaving the poeple to figure it out.They do cash your checks in a hurry,so with the system down often its bad deal.Someone left a comment on one of our videos saying they take a long tube and shove it into deep cracks sometimes yielding very good gold.Another great video and my favorite channel 😊
Thanks for that - it's kind of fun now to see the videos being made on getting gold out of cracks - so we feel good in making those videos years ago. The claims deal was always screwed up - in my day the county would take your money (as if it was a valid claim right then) then you went to the BLM to find it was valid and file with them - and then months later they might send you a notice it's not valid . . . Totally bonkers.
Awesome video! Can anyone tell me what the rules are for the Steve Fork as far as permits for dredging and high banking? I just purchased a claim. Is there any good color? Nuggets or just small stuff? Thank you
Hope someone got in touch with you!
I have a question about one of your older videos. After much research and watching the video over and over I think I found the area in Oregon where you suggested "the blacks" can be found. Though the area has changed a bit so I thought I could give a clue and see if I am in the right spot and you can correct me. Did you park the camper at a spot below a large pond. Is the hill containing the blacks behind a fence with federal cattle grazing land next to the camp spot. Was there also a babbling brook near close to the campsite. Is there large basalt vertical columns further up the hill past the brook and fedeal land fence with dense brush vegetation at the base of the columns? I've spent years trying to narrow down that spot in your old video. I would like to know if I was in the right spot and have put in the effort. I have found common orange and red Oregon "jellies" on some opposite hills up the road at a private mine. I just would really like to know if I am in the right area. Your channel more than any other over the years has ignited the fire in me for the hobby. Did I give correct clues to indicated I am in the right spot for the Oregon Blacks that less than 300 people know about? If this is the correct spot. I just want to say that brook is slightly spooky. The sounds it makes all night long sound like ancient native american ghosts. It was quite the experience.
That was a long time ago! The camper was parked near (within 100 feet) of a small stream that crossed under the road (some would call it a ditch but it is actually flowing). The biggest opal dig (at that time) was due east about 1/4 mile. To the S after you walked out of the tree line could see Mt. Shasta and there were some ponds and cattle there. Connie and I were married out there and that was our honeymoon - collecting opals! The "old" guy in one of those videos: Doyle Boyington is the original discoverer of opals in that area and he brought Larry Lake and myself in to prospect the whole (immense) area. Boyington - now in his 90's has just retired from gemstone cutting and teaching a few months ago. Larry Lake lost a foot to diabetes and has retired too. All that to say this: basalt underlies that whole area for miles E. of Lakeview. There is tremendous untapped opal potential - never discount the fact the opals you pick up lead to a vein - they are everywhere out there. Good going on keeping going!!!
@@mattmattsongold Thank you so much. I did not know that was your honey moon. The fine young women I have been with for many years now also accompanies me on my excursions. She came with me to that spot as well. Yes if I recall we camped at a firefighters rest. The road passes the pond then goes over a grate with the creek underneath it then down to a pull off on the right is where we parked. To our left opposite of the basalt cliffs is two roads one leads up to large mining pit and then further on to a well known opal fee digging site. I crossed the creek. Went over the fence (assumed it was federal land as it said federal grazing, so rockhounding should not have been and issue). Alot of what you said sounds familiar and that I was in the correct spot. You have given me a good clue with the shasta reference so I can try to cross reference. If there is anything else you would like to add I would greatly appreciate it. Oh and we are currently driving to cow creek as I write this comment. Just to do some shore line prospecting. Once again thank you for taking the time to respond. I have been watching your channel for many years now.
@@The_Conqueeftador : that is great - good luck in finding a spot on Cow Creek to work. The rains will start shortly so I would assume you would actually be eyeing it for next year. Agree you're probably at the spot in Oregon already. Good job!
Great info,just subbed to yopur channel. This area on the map beside i-5 must be claimed,or is it open?
The area between Myrtle Creek to River's West & the I-5 bridge is open - and beyond as well (but access points can be a problem).
@@mattmattsongold thanks Matt im in N.C but id like to make it out to the NW some day,I prospect mostly in the Uwharrie National Forest.
LOVE Myrtle Creek. 😌🇺🇸
Absolutely! One of the best places I've been to and 4 years of memories there.
Hi Matt great info. Are you open to teaching a group of kids for a private school some of this information in person?
I would love to be able to do that again. Used to speak to auditoriums & gymnasiums full of kids, but after a stroke re-wired my brain, I am stuck talking to the camera. There is good news though - these films are geared towards teaching a new generation to teach: and that is you. There is enough information here (and from others too) alone to put together your own program together easily and I hope you and others certainly do. I am depending on it in fact. Good luck to you and the kids! Film it - put it on RUclips as well and get started!
I wish you the best with your health journey , thank you for all the knowledge i hope to share it with the kids in our group. 🙏@@mattmattsongold
@@ok2x Thank you - good on the kids! Feel free to use anything I've produced that helps you: latest - ruclips.net/video/paJdwqfBG94/видео.html
I would like to take a prospecting class what type of classes do you recommend. Please I really am into prospecting
Best regards,
Agustín
Augustin: if you are a young person - do this the right way, look for geology courses and get a degree if possible - many available online (I just checked) from accredited universities. You can pick up much knowledge watching videos of course - learn how to file claims here in the United States, etc., but a degree will also give you solid credentials for working in many areas. While you're taking courses - you can also learn and do prospecting from what you pick up here and from other videos (if you watch videos from 10 people - in theory you should be better than any 10 of them . . . (why we took each others courses and any course we could over the years - you always pick up something new). Good luck to you!
So has anyone had any luck finding ledges, veins or pockets above cow creek on either side?? That gold is coming from somewhere up stream and uphill
Might want to put your email in - not many post their info in the clear - and you might pick up a mining partner to boot.
@mattmattsongold only if its you sir😃
@@hughjunit2503 probably from the area of the old liberty mine about 10 miles downstream from Glendale
Hey Matt I’m exploring Coffee Creek out Tiller I would love to have you out for a video
That would be great - we're in Alabama and retired - but I haven't crossed out coming back out there someday. All that is great gold country - be sure and film it when you find that crack filled with gold! Best of luck to you and yours!
@@mattmattsongold well, if you make your way back out here, I would love to have you out for a video!!!
@@Hillbilly82 : that would be great! Someday we will.
As a youngster i played in the Umpqua.
That is great - I guess we did too as old folks.
I wish i would have known you were here. I am a prospector and live in Riddle
Right up the road! Yep - I wish so too. Hope you are doing well.
Whoa buddy. 63 lbs? You wouldn't be telling a tall tale would you? Even if gold was worth half as much when you found it that would be a fortune. Let me ask you some questions. 1) When did you find this? 2) I'm curious how and where you sell that much raw gold? 3) What did you do with all that money? Really interesting video. I'm familiar with southwestern Oregon geology and cow creek is well known as a gold producer. There is a public gold panning area near your mentioned sites. Since Oregon passed laws regarding river suction dredging it isn't as attractive to miners. Many claims are closed meaning you can prospect and file a claim in many area's. It is rugged and heavily forested landscape though.
It was a fortune as the price of gold doesn't matter (it was in the $200's then) - but gold buys the same amount of goods today relative to that time. We were in awe of the find and the man who found it. Correct on geology - I had quite a few claims throughout the area. Not important if you believe or not - but very important that I do though. Good luck with your gold hunting!
My grand pappy was too
cool
Thanks - glad you're watching.
I live in Myrtle Creek and I don’t see many folks prospecting the river here.
Great for those who do - take advantage of your good fortune if in health to do so (digging and screening is hard work).
Also wanted to say I miss the old geocommunicator website. It was very helpful for identifying claims past and current. It's a shame they sold the website to some environmental group whose only purpose was to shut it down once they bought the website.
They do have mine.data - (something like that) I come across occasionally. Play around and see if that comes up. It had some old closed claims that I had and others I recognized so it must be kept up. Good luck!
Put these coordinates in Google earth.
45°01'09.99"N
117°14'14.35"W
Im Seeing Iron stains in those obviously different rocky crags jutting up. Surely something came up thru that ancient vent.
It's above the Cornacopia Mine. Is my observation It's mother?
Yep - that's interesting for sure - the coordinates took me right to it! Well done.
I followed the BLM link and got a disclaimer that flagged my computer. Some such nonsense about sifting through the files in my computer. Creepy.
Agreed. That is creepy and new to me.
Didnt you know jim britton ?
D&K Jim Britton? Is he still with us?
Matt mattson
Read your channel intro & Good luck on your life journey, wherever it leads you!
Do yall know my mom? Eden wall?
Can someone tell me if public prospecting is still allowed along Cow Creek..
Is it still possible for places or an out-of-state guy to go and not run into claims everywhere?
I would love to bring my sluice in My Pan and my puppy dog and drive up there and look the place over.
I don't want to use a motor of any kind I just use my sluice and my pan..
if someone can tell me,...would I be wasting my time.