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   Unfortunately,  many people that get their first taste of gold mining, either through attendance at an organized gold/prospecting show, tourist gold mining camp or even through watching a program about such activities on news programs or video media tend to go a bit overboard.

   I have seen all too often, a new-comer to prospecting will go to the nearest prospecting equipment dealer and drop down exorbitant amounts of cash for the latest in high tech equipment.   They hope to find massive amounts of gold, making their fortunes right out of the gate.   It would be a rare instance for someone to just go out and strike it rich.

   Even the majority of our ancestors that set out to make their fortunes during the gold booms that were experienced throughout this country's history ever made enough to actually be concidered rich.   If we study the historic records, the individuals that made the most monetarily out of the "rushes" were those that sold supplies and equipment to the miners.

   I have been prospecting for placer gold (that which is mined from streambed material) for over thirty years and have luckily never gotten caught up in the frenzy of buying up equipment that was beyond the scope of what I was experienced in doing.   When it comes down to the "brass tacks", all the fancy equipment as well as basic equipment, primarily does the same thing in one way or another.   They all work to separate out the "heavies" (gold and heavier minerals) from the lighter materials being worked.

   I have a personal philosophy that you should start with the basics (panning) and work your way up to equipment as your experience warrants.   I do not feel a person that has never searched for gold should run out and purchase a vacuum dredge or high-banker if they have never even panned for gold before.   One does not skip from pre-school straight to college without needing to take the time gaining experience and knowledge.  Of course not!   You should start out with a basic pan and get proficient with its use before you move up to another level.   Once you get good at panning, go ahead and move up to a sluice box for greater material processing.   When you have mastered a sluice, then make the move to a high-banker or dredge.

   All too often, someone will see a demonstration of a piece of equipment, buy it, ruch out to the nearest water source and not find anything.   Without the knowledge of what areas have measurable amounts of gold, how it is deposited or how to properly read a river, most will get very discouraged and give up.   There is still more gold in them thar hills than you could ever imagine.   You just need to know how to get it.

   Before slamming down the big bucks, start with the basics and start out slow with a pan.   Try to hook up with someone that has mined in the area you are in (hopefully with some success).   Learn from them and your chances should increase dramatically.