"I Will NEVER" Forget It" - THE BEST ROCKHOUNDING I've Ever Experienced on the Yellowstone River

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks for checking out this EPIC hunt. What was your favorite find? Do you think I can do better this summer?

[@mikehendrickson85]

What was the rectangular rock just a little above the petrified wood you found at 6:38? Looks like crystal

[@grantfahlman1815]

Alex, as crazy as it might seem, I think you may do even better as the summer continues. After watching Kate's most recent video and now seeing yours, they both confirm my thinking. That is, the high-level of the river this year is going to now have positives for all the hounds that make it out there. What a nice bunch of finds!

[@kathy4084]

What an excellent adventure! My favorite was the large one toward the end in the photo you posted. Beautiful! You’ll find many more amazing treasures! No worries about your spray bottle. You’re by far the most efficient sprayer I’ve seen. I really enjoy your program, your commentary, your knowledge, discoveries. Thank you!

[@kaschbourbeau7413]

I just went out to every access all the way to Custer and it's not good man. The clean rock you see on the river right now will be the only clean rock for the year. The flooding silted everything over. There are some spots that it tilled up good but they are far and few in between. Most accesses are picked over already. Go check out Custer and you will see what I mean. There's no rock showing at Captain Clark.

[@kaschbourbeau7413]

Also the cleanest rock I seen was in between Livingston and Columbus.

[@elizabethschaer9636]

Thank you for the vicarious rock hunting. When I was a child in Texas the roads were paved with gravel. I collected a lot of rocks, especially petrified wood. Now the roads are paved 😢. Be greatful for the opportunity you have. Thank you for sharing it.

[@janiehand2954]

the agates on this video are incredible.

[@AgateAngler]

Glad you agree!

[@tjzambonischwartz]

Last night the almighty algorithm brought me to your channel. Love it. Those river tumbled agates are beautiful.

[@LethalSaliva]

I came here because I'm a sucker for agates. I've also been collecting petrified wood since last year. Most of the agates I have were found in pea gravel. One of my recent finds was a specimen the size of a pickle jar lid. Found it on the beach in Hoodsport; would not have seen it if not for the sun. Also found another huge piece by railroad tracks in Skykomish.

[@OregonRocks]

Oh that's so exciting, love it when you find something that big. Awesome!!! I was waiting for someone to upload a post flood Yellowstone flood rockhounding video.

[@AgateAngler]

Yeah it is pretty incredible hunting right now. Very hot, but very worthwhile.

[@OregonRocks]

@@AgateAngler oh I bet, I'd be going multiple times a week if I could. Haha

[@brysonalden5414]

Looks like I should be planning a trip out your way this Spring. But, of course, I won't have your kind of luck! Fabulous finds, sir!

[@laurat5143]

Love all you found today. They were very awesome. Thank you 😊 for sharing your experience on the Yellow-stone river. I'll be watching your videos as long as you keep them going. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@mitchgillilan]

When you have a "hundred year flood" you better believe your going to find way more and bigger stones!! You really killed it Alex!!! 👍 I can't wait to see this whole season play out on the Yellowstone, I'm sure it will be epic for most the summer!!!

[@robertsnearly3823]

Dude, ya can get a bunch of cheap spray bottles and always have one or spend what a good one would cost or two and happy houndin'!! As a child of 9 to 11 I thought myself a good rock hounder but I grew up and left it behind. I was so proud of myself finding and classifying the stones but who knows where they lay now. At 67, I'm living my vicarious years but it's nothing like walking along and finding them in person. Thanks for the vid. It helps. 😁

[@jv12357]

Amazing finds! I wish we had agates and pet wood where i live...

[@lilalightandlove421]

I’m so jealous! Enjoy it for me man! Wish I was there rockhounding! Super fun video!

[@sarahporter9541]

Always great to watch you dig all the beauties!! My sis and i plan on making our 2nd twin Rockhound trip out your way..from in state...we rarely get to see each other..and its is a treat to do something together that we love to do! Would be fun to catch a dig with you.

[@braydenhammill5082]

I just moved away from billings this april and im regretting it so much!! I miss the yellowstone and there has to be so many good agates this year after the flood. Watching this drives me nuts.

[@patriciamckean4186]

Epic, just so unbelievably awesome. 😍 love all those beauties.

[@robertmandigo7942]

Those are some epic agates and the petrified wood was plentiful. Keep up the great videos and God bless you and your family.

[@largent45]

This is going to be an epic season on the yellowstone this years because of all the high water, mixing up the rocks for you guys! Yay! That was a huge agate!!! you guys have the pretties jaspers and pet woods too. That huge chunk of agatized wood was really pretty! wow and two more big huge agates! Wow! And another one! What an awesome hunt! Thanks for sharing!

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks for watching. I couldn't agree more!

[@gracewashburn8276]

Wow nice find my goodness that is a beautiful piece and it’s good to have you out there again I know you only get out when you can but every little chance we can get to see you it’s wonderful

[@johncloar1692]

Nice hunt you had a good day agate hunting. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@savagesquirrel9828]

Really fine hunt. So glad you have a boat!

[@aprilgoodman4504]

I enjoy your videos and I know that you have a family and a job that you enjoy but I can't wait for your next video on the yellow stone river.

[@enaidyeltneb369]

That find at 18:02 looked like a petrified dinosaur egg!

[@treasurehuntingscotlandmud9340]

enjoyed seeing the finds

[@pemburuakik2370]

Excellent finds my brother, good job,,👍

[@Silvertoburn]

Good times right there! Drives ya nutz eh!

[@teresapribilski1493]

I just got a little rock tumbler. I do yard rocks and love it. I live about an hour from a dormant volcano and down the road from a diamond mine. I'm finding and polishing some beautiful yard rocks

[@Cajunkaty]

It was so much fun.

[@joniakin6708]

Greetings from Troy, MT! It's so awesome to see a video from you! Congratulations on a very special hunt. My husband & I were on the Yellowstone the first week of May & had a fantastic time. We found lots of agates, petrified wood & jaspers along with some gorgeous rocks for my gardens. Your insightful videos were so helpful. And you are absolutely correct when you say how beautiful the Yellowstone is. It was an incredible experience & we are looking forward to going back.

[@AgateAngler]

Hi Joni! I appreciate the support. I am glad you had a productive time on the river.

[@Shootermp11]

Amazing! Well done!

[@AgateAngler]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@justjulee9135]

This was a great hunt! I hate that the flood caused such damage, but it definitely turned over some gorgeous rocks! Thank you for sharing and I look forward to seeing those big agates cut open and polished.

[@silverback5033]

Hi Alex, nice to catch up with another of your videos. It looks like you had a great day, congrats, some grate finds. Some of those agates appear to be great pieces. Keep Safe & Keep Rockin

[@bruninomorin3586]

Wow ! Great finds !

[@vickygoodwin9771]

So fun for you!

[@nicolagraynewzealandrockho8976]

Great to see another awesome video. It looks so hot over there. It's pretty chilly here in NZ, we have the fire going. Such beautiful finds. My favourites were the petrified wood, and the beautiful milky Agate. It almost had a blue tinge. Nice to see you out hunting again.

[@susanbroschisnksy3531]

This is the first time to watch you and your family hunting on the Yellowstone River. So fun! We live in northern Utah. By the looks of it, we need to plan a trip in 2023 to hunt along the Yellowstone! Beautiful material. Thank you for posting.

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks so much for watching. Yes, the Yellowstone is top spot to visit if you're into rock and mineral collecting.

[@shepherd4406]

Glad you were able to get back out rockhounding.

[@AgateAngler]

Agreed! Hopefully many more videos to come this summer and fall!

[@donnalantz7981]

Awesome hunt. Beautiful finds. Can't wait to see your lapidary videos too.

[@judymarkel8029]

All the rocks were beautiful but my favorites are the petrified wood Thanks for a great video

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks for watching Judy. We have some amazing petrified wood here. Millions of years old..... just wild to hold in your hand.

[@1sec2midnight]

It feels good just watching you hunt on the river, wishing I was there. The 20:50 agate is stupendous! The 5:10 was most awesome though. Thanks for taking us out to the river for your first adventure after the floods.

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks for watching! Stay tuned! More to come.

[@anneallen2690]

Awesome finds!

[@cyncitynv7413]

nice to see the waters are receding! I can't wait to rockhound in Montana!

[@AgateAngler]

It sure is a sight to behold.

[@IndusRiverRock]

2:10 beautiful

[@aliciabanderas1022]

Do you ever see blue agates?

[@QuestForDetails]

one of the best ive seen !! nice job !!

[@AgateAngler]

Appreciate it!

[@johnh3642]

The spray bottle straw, that draws the water up, is likely just pointed to the wrong side while it's tilted forward. So if you can spin the spray nozzle, without it loosening, or causing the straw to spin along with it. Then that should be a quick easy fix :)

[@AgateAngler]

It finally gave out this weekend. I took it apart a few times. Luckily they are cheap to replace.

[@lougoocher6227]

Just fill the bottle. You're right next to the water.

[@melisalynn5895]

Eek! I want to go hunting out there so bad!!! Gorgeous finds!

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks for watching Melisa!

[@signecadwallader2158]

All excellent finds. Thanks for taking us along.

[@AgateAngler]

My Pleasure! Thanks for coming along and supporting the channel!

[@alexjoca244]

Amazing finds for sure!. I think this summer will be great for you and your hunts!

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks Alex! I agree. Hopefully many more epic finds to come!

[@alexjoca244]

@@AgateAngler i am from romiinia end we have many crystals including agate,plus all categories of crystals, even the rarest in the world

[@amywelsh8225]

Did you cut that big one you were so excited about? I am so excited to the follow-up!!

[@froglizard6135]

Great finds! 👍

[@AgateAngler]

Glad you enjoyed

[@thisisme1999]

Happy to see a posting, I love your passion and the pleasure you take in being out there. I did miss Kip, next time maybe. Hope your summer pickings are as good as you hope.

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks Nick! I hope you are having a good summer!

[@redrockinghound4441]

We were rockhounding near Livingston last week - so thankful we got to experience some of the treasures! I think you have a great summer ahead.

[@AgateAngler]

I could not agree more!

[@micpern872]

Sweet finds.

[@AgateAngler]

Thank you!

[@denisthemineralist4033]

Looking at that big agate at 17:57, I'm predicting iris when it's cut. When you do cut it, let us know if it is!

[@melb458]

New subscriber here! Great finds! My girlfriend and I just started rockhounding a few months ago and we're heading to MT in October to try our luck! This has us very excited for our trip! Looking forward to checking out more of your hunts! Thanks!

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks for subscribing Mel! I hope you have a great time on the Yellowstone. IT is an AMAZING river to hunt.

[@notinmanitou]

It's great to see you back out on the Yellowstone, Alex! Doing beds in the yard is a great way to display your rockhounding finds. My husband started doing that years ago and we have some lovely displays in the yard. A thought about the big agates you are finding. I think you're getting better at spotting them too, in addition to the flood turning over the gravel. When you first started out, you would have missed some of those dark ones. I love all kinds of petrified wood and it's good to see you keeping some more this year.

[@AgateAngler]

Agree with your assessment. Part luck, part skill, part nature. Thanks for watching.

[@pinkfrog8686]

What an epic day! Congratulations 🍾 I totally would’ve been shaking too! So awesome can’t wait to see cut open. I’m so jealous I Love petrified wood, sadly Michigan doesn’t have it. So someday I will be visiting Montana. Till then I will be watching your videos and dreaming of the day I find my first one. LOL

[@AgateAngler]

Yeah it was an amazing day for sure! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing!

[@AshB86]

Amazing finds Alex!! What a treasure trove of goodies!!

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks Ash! I appreciate the support!

[@jigglie8077]

"nice piece of petrified rock" i just chuck em back because of all the other striped rocks around here lol.. wonder how many i just watched make a nice splash

[@kendramanuel1276]

Glad I found your channel 👍

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks Kendra!

[@micpern872]

A LIVE potato eye!! Awesome.

[@parleygeorge7164]

Alex - It is always enjoyable to watch your videos as content & presentation are outstanding. Hope all is well with you & your family!

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks Parley. I hope you are well. I am looking into a slab saw. Do you have any recommendations?

[@parleygeorge7164]

@@AgateAngler How big of saw are you looking to obtain? I have a 10 inch Highland Park slab saw that is weight driven(Old School). It is just collecting dust. I use a 10 inch gear driven built by an engineer friend & also have an 18 inch Lortone. Anymore, the pocketbook is the thing. A friend of mine sold a used 36 inch Highland Park for $9500.00. He had to have a winch system just to put rocks in the chain clamp. The buyer used a flat bed to get it out of the shop. I couldn’t even afford the oil.

[@AgateAngler]

@@parleygeorge7164 I'm thinking 12 in maximum. I was looking at Highland Park as a possibility. All I have right now is a little 1.5 inch tile saw and I have so many bigger rocks that I'd like to cut. I think it would make some interesting content as well.

[@dodiebondwood]

Oh I would never want to leave!

[@nongmaithemningthemton636]

This is really a good video.😊

[@AgateAngler]

Glad you think so!

[@monicamarion7262]

Amazing finds for sure!. I think this summer will be great for you and your hunts! I shared this video to my FB page. Hope all is well. Does the town or forestry come out and clear away the trees from the flood?

[@marknorthrup4897]

Good question...I've wondered that also.

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks for sharing my video. To answer your question: No, they don't do anything for log jams. It is just a natural part of the river. It will get washed away next spring when it floods again.

[@monicamarion7262]

@@AgateAngler you're welcome. Thank for your video's and sharing your finds. That's amazing how it'll be washed away next spring!

[@BigBelugaArez]

I was rockhounding on the yellowstone river a few days ago and found some corundum with gold flakes in it, a piece of petrified wood longer than my hand, and a turqoise rock with agate in parts of it about the size of my fist in the span of 5 minutes

[@AgateAngler]

Such an amazing place to hunt! Thanks for watching Sam!

[@kurtsloop2462]

My wife and I were out walking and I noticed that someone had put new river rock around their mailbox. I picked up over 50 really nice agates out of the pile. I wish I knew where they got the rock from

[@AgateAngler]

I love looking through landscaping rocks. Sounds like an awesome find!

[@seandonnaturley5832]

I knew it would be epic after the waters receded. If you ever collected water for you bottle from the river then you may have some sand clogging the suction straw.

[@AgateAngler]

Yeah, the sprayer is just done. I bought a new one today. Appreciate the idea though.

[@Waitak22]

Beautiful finds! Would love to know if you will go to your friend who has a saw and cut some of the agates in half. Would definitely be content I would love to see

[@AgateAngler]

Thanks for the feedback. That is something on my to-do list.

[@aliciabanderas1022]

I started getting really into rocks about 5 yrs or more I'm 61, I used to see faces on them

[@user-pd2gu6li2n]

hope we get to see you, your daughter,and wife collecting together again soon.

[@AgateAngler]

Many more hunts to come!

[@Algoldprospecting]

What do you do with them ?

[@aliciabanderas1022]

I would actually go crazy

[@lizzymoore54]

Sprayer is air locked. The tube needs water pored down it and quickly inserted into full or almost full bottle. Try this, it should work. 😉

[@IAMGiftbearer]

Man! I want to go on a trip like that! I love the translucent stuff you were finding! Do you ever find Petosky stone? I can't remember where that is found but love the honeycomb patterns in it!

[@majorkonfuzion1007]

man! i wish i was there, and is imposible for me, omg 😩

[@lisad5256]

Alex, wear sunscreen, your poor nose! 😊 Love watching your vids. Thanks for sharing!!

[@AgateAngler]

Oh I was coated in sunscreen. Look closer. I appreciate the concern for my nose though. It has definitely had it's fair share of burns.

[@andyward3173]

We would like to schedule a visit near the Yellowstone River one day to look for some nice Montana Agates. What town should we stay at near the Yellowstone that is open to the public for collecting some agates.

[@AgateAngler]

Anything from Livingston to Glendive is good f or hunting.

[@aliciabanderas1022]

Are you inside the park? I would love to go where your at

[@deirdrepasko9965]

Cool finds, but most importantly, I DO Hope you pack bear spray with you whenever you're down there! It would be a drag if you wound up as lunch.

[@cabinvibesebaystore8956]

New sub ! Liked 🙏😎😉👏👏

[@AgateAngler]

Awesome thank you!

[@royolstad8532]

Been following your channel quite awhile. Flyfisherman, and beginner rockhound (never found an agate over here in N Id!) Thinking about running over there this summer. Can a guy just go anywhere there's access and find agates (and other good rocks) or will they be picked over by mid Aug?

[@AgateAngler]

Roy, first of all, thanks for watching the channel and supporting my content. As to your question, yes, any public river access whether park, fishing access, etc will put you on gravel that contains (or contained) agates. Obviously you want to look for places that are less picked to increase your odds. But I glance at gravel in fairly picked places frequently and often find an agate or two. It is all about how much work you are willing to put in.

[@micpern872]

Where are you, us it near the state park?

[@AgateAngler]

I live in Billings, MT. You cannot hunt in the National Park, but the Yellowstone river flows for many miles beyond park boundaries.

[@cathyparker-hagerty7512]

I’m new to your channel and wanted to know what you do with all your treasures?

[@AgateAngler]

Hi Cathy! Good question - Many of them are tumbled, some are cut and polished. Some sit in my rock garden.

[@labratamber]

Do you have a limit of product, your allowed to take out of the park?

[@AgateAngler]

Amber, I film on the Yellowstone River, not in the Yellowstone National Park. So no, there are no limits on collecting.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

Baking potato sized agates littering the ground all around you! Gonna be a great day🐝🤗❤️

[@AgateAngler]

Amen to that! Thanks for watching Deborah!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

@@AgateAngler You’re welcome!🐝🤗❤️

[@badomaji]

Are the numerous stones a result of periodic flash flooding, year after year, for eons?

[@AgateAngler]

Essentially the flood cycle of the river and lack of dams leads to a continuous erosion that is always refreshing the gravels and exposing new material to hunt. So, yes......

[@richardland9668]

Thank you but so envious the biggest agates on the beach chair are only about the size of a finger end…

[@AgateAngler]

Guess you need to visit Montana then..... Thanks for watching and subscribing Richard!

[@kthompso43]

Like you say, it's about the best agate picking ANYWHERE. My favorite on the Yellowstone is way up in the northeast corner of the state. However, over many decades, I've discovered some downsides of collecting agates. What to do with them after I find them. I've watched lapidarists spend hours and days cutting, polishing, faceting just one agate to make it marketable. It doesn't take a truckload of rocks to do that. As a hobby, some folks sell agates at rock shows. But, I've seriously questioned if their profit exceeds their expenses. Perhaps the most lucrative side of hunting agates is making KZbin videos that are monetized. ............. lol

[@helgavoorneveld1530]

I would love to see a cutting/polishing video

[@AgateAngler]

Keep your eyes peeled....

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

You show us your finds, but it would be Boring to watch you NOT find rocks. So yes, you show finds, but you don't bore us. LOL ~ All the would will make Drift Wood Crafters happy..

[@vickykirts7956]

I can spot the petrified wood, but I hardly ever see the agates before you pick them up

[@AgateAngler]

Yeah they are incredibly tricky to see on video. Thanks for watching Vicky!

[@enaidyeltneb369]

The Petrified Forest is a National park in Arizona. If you are caught taking ANYTHING you can go to jail and pay hefty fines. Yet in Montana it seems you can find it laying around free for the taking. Wish I could go to Montana!

[@AgateAngler]

Yes, just keep in mind that I am NOT in the national park. You'd get in big trouble for taking from the park.

[@jasakirimbarang]

Halo how are you my friend

[@marknorthrup4897]

I was wondering when would be a good time to come up your way from down here in Missouri. I was in Miles City area with my kayak last year during the last week of April and it was nice but the water was quick. I have exclusive permission from a rancher with a mile+ of river front to launch from or to. I would be interested in taking another kayaker or two along if you might be interested. I was waiting for gas prices to drop but that's not gonna happen soon it seems. At my age (70) I worry if I don't go when I can then I may not be able to next year although I've been blessed with great health and fitness so far. I have enough rocks to cut and polish for two lifetimes but I still love to adventure. I have always gone alone till now but my wife (of 47 yrs) feels better if I don't go on the rivers or Great Lakes alone anymore. Too much talkin, sorry.

[@AgateAngler]

Hi Mark. Honestly, anything from now until early November is pretty darn good. Spring works well too until about the end of May. Winter is obviously not ideal. I'd be thrilled to tag along it is just dependent on timing and location. I generally don't stray more than 1-2 hrs away from the Billings area. Shoot me an email - [e-mail] - and we can coordinate a bit more.

[@royolstad8532]

Or maybe wait till fall, when dropping water levels expose more gravel?

[@AgateAngler]

It is going to be epic all the way until high water next year. Endless gravels.... so many agates.

[@toecutterp]

Turtle

[@trptrungblogs]

💎🙏❤️🙏

[@rustyrockhound]

The biggest agate I’ve ever found is about the size of the smallest one you found today! 😂

[@AgateAngler]

I get that a lot. The Yellowstone is an amazing river to hunt. I am very lucky. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@dsc7772]

how come you dont mention that almost every stone looks like someone worked on it , they all have faces some worn more than others ... but their like story stones Native American carved ??? prehistoric carved ??? but i see it !!! Aloha from Hawaii, DSC777