by dickb » Tue Jan 18, 2011 1:11 pm
Hey CGD:
To answer you I'd look at ID, Western WY & MT.
As long as you have an in up there, then I say go for it, most of the placer was worked pertty hard, but like Nolan Creek, there a lot of gold still in the ground and weatering out every spring. The area is good up there and like they say, look where gold has been found. By having some areas to dredge, you take a lot of the risk out of the trip from the equation. Then you put actually finding some gold in your plans as a viable option. That water is really cold up there and make sure your geared up to deal with it. A full face mask and a good hood will be a good investment. If your in deep water, the current will be something that you will have to deal with. I haven't been north of Anchorage, but if I was gonna prospect it would be up in that area and east of Fairbanks.
That being said, if I was in my 20's and willing to work my tail off, get by with little sleep, and wasn't afraid of getting dirty and smelly. I would be looking to get hired on for shares as a set netter's hand, a deck hand on a drift boat in the area from Kenai down to Homer. It really helps to know someone to get hired, but they need more help than they can get and if your there early and find some body to want you, then there is money to be made.
The money in Ak is made in the commercial fishing industry and in the oil fields. Two of my friends up there worked for AF&G, so I'm pertty sure I'm not blowing smoke at you. I do gotta admit that at 64, I wish I was doing the same thing your planning. Nobody makes it today by sitting on their butt and wishing!
Nuff said.
Dickb
78 Retired and Free
Eastern Iowa