Where To Go To Find Gold Series: Lower Umpqua Sites Matt Mattson YouTube Videos

[@ridenowmon]

Great to see you again Matt. Your advice in years past put me on the Umpqua and Cow Creek. I brought home many "sand" bags of concentrates, all with gold. The enjoyment of nature and the locals was the real treasure!

[@mattmattsongold]

Good stuff! Now you have some new places to work!!!

[@OregonUnearthed]

Because of you I decided to create my own channel and sharing my adventures! We spoke about 6 months ago. Your knowledge and skills have taught me so much. Thank you for everything. ❤

[@mattmattsongold]

Good to know! Thanks for doing that and I wish you and yours much success!

[@riverbender9898]

The master's voice...listen, re-listen and learn! Thanks for sharing the expertise Matt!

[@mattmattsongold]

Wow, thanks.

[@eeanderson49]

Yep. Glad to see you back Matt.

[@mattmattsongold]

@@eeanderson49 : Thanks Ed - and be safe - we lost our neighbor to the virus.

[@magnanamus8659]

Thank you sir.. for passing on your immense knowledge.. and for all you've done for the hobby.

[@mattmattsongold]

You're most welcome and thank you for watching - I hope you have great success in the field!

[@kalihiwai420]

Love your videos brotha, so many great tips on locations and educational content. Glad to see you're doing well during the Rona situation

[@mattmattsongold]

Doing our best not to get the stuff. Our neighbor has it pretty bad - I fear for his safety (on a ventilator).

[@kevinoconnor7962]

Absolutely love you for providing great information and video content. That may be passed on to future generations. Also Matt you play a mean guitar. Thanks. We love you man..

[@mattmattsongold]

Thanks - I appreciate that - more than you know.

[@fjacksonphoto]

I'm always dreaming about gold. I watch your videos all the time and I've been itching to get down to this spot for some time. Now that you put this up with some more detail from your last one, it's given me the itch again. Thanks for the great info.

[@mattmattsongold]

You're welcome - there's more info in the description (and these comments). You've landed in a great spot - make the time count!

[@fjacksonphoto]

@@mattmattsongold I plan on taking my kids down, my daughter (6&9) have gold fever and want to learn. I figure now is as good a time as any. I'll be sure to check out the other videos listed in the comments too. Im only but 2 1/2- 3 hours from this spot. Keep the awesome videos coming and i'll keep coming back to watch.

[@mattmattsongold]

@@fjacksonphoto - good deal. You may want to wait for summer (in fact - wait for summer if taking the kids). The water is usually strong and high in late winter/spring and can be downright deadly so we can't really get to what we want to get to anyway. Winter is the time to plan for summer though and it's tame all summer long. Have fun teaching the kids!

[@fjacksonphoto]

@@mattmattsongold thanks for these videos and the advice! Since I last commented, I’ve been down twice. The first time was a scout mission to make sure I could find the areas, come to find out it was super easy to find. The first time, I pulled some dirt but mainly found lots of black sand (water was kinda high still). The second time was last weekend and water was much lower and so far as I’ve gone through the dirt I’m finding lots of gold flakes!! I’m so very thankful to have this information. Keep it coming!!

[@mattmattsongold]

@@fjacksonphoto : click "sort by" get "newest" and read Glenn's report. Get down there with a detector if possible. Low water is rare - use the opportunity! Very best of luck to you and yours.

[@milanshubert1860]

Thanks Matt, I'm new, so I guess I'm a what they call a green horn lol. Got me a gold cube. And some pans. Wish I could talk with you in person. I could learn so much from you. I need to watch all of your vids. Your never to old to learn something new. I'm planning to go down south this year. Thanks my friend. Really appreciate everything you've done and are doing now.

[@mattmattsongold]

You're quite welcome and hope you have great success down there. Wait till the spring flood waters recede and you'll have fresh gold to work year after year. Have a great adventure and teach others as you gain experience.

[@jacobgoins1773]

Thanks for taking the time to put this together! I’m a local and new to the hobby, can’t wait for spring now!

[@mattmattsongold]

Have fun - you can do a lot over time since spring will bring fresh gold down (on all the bars but particularly here with that natural concentrator). I overwintered two years here to study the rivers and how they concentrated - this was one of the best (Rogue as well - but multitudes more dangerous).

[@rocketsurgeon4876]

@@mattmattsongold I've been eager to try prospecting, and I'm going to be building a Zenith aircraft that could pack in a couple hundred pounds of gear to any gravel bar longer than a hundred feet that it could reach. If you could get out to places like that, no matter how remote, where would you go? Any spots like it in east Oregon? Thank you for taking the time to teach us all what you know.

[@mattmattsongold]

@@rocketsurgeon4876 : I've always wanted to explore more of the river drainages in the Idaho/Oregon border areas. You may have just the ticket to do just that!

[@rocketsurgeon4876]

@@mattmattsongold I'll be sure to give that area a look then! If ya don't mind I'd also like some advice on what sluice to get, I could pack in 350 pounds of gear in the smallest of the kit planes I'm looking at, but the usable volume might be a limiter. Know of any that can pack up nice and small?

[@mattmattsongold]

@@rocketsurgeon4876 : totally understand, I used to pack things into a SuperCub. I used A-52's because there were so many options in putting them together (could be strung together in a long tom). Today there are so many options that are lighter (plastic inserts, etc.) that you're simply going to have to look at volume size. Look at a lot of user vids (not the manufacturers) and try to divine what would work for you. A simple A52 taken apart doesn't take much space, but does have some heft (I used to bundle the frame in the sluice and wrap it up). Good luck.

[@oregongoldhunter]

Another excellent video Brother!

[@mattmattsongold]

I appreciate that - very best of luck out there!

[@iancoachwerksllc]

Getting the classified paydirt home to process is a great idea! Makes sense for the right situation

[@annogg9035]

Nice to hear that some people are standing up for are rights more of us should do the same.

[@mattmattsongold]

Agreed!

[@Starboardsideprospecting]

Thank you for sharing this information. I live near that area and did try the bar above I-5 but found only a few specks due to considerable overburden. Hopefully I can find a group to go with. Really appreciate all you do.

[@mattmattsongold]

Thanks Tommy. Maybe you can assemble a group yourself - it really is the key to work with others (or ID where others were working and expand on that) and get into the pay layers. Every year after it's easier as the spring flood deposits right in the places you moved overburden off.

[@wendyoverlan32]

Hey Tommy, We have three of us that are going down the third week in June if you want to join our small team. If so, text us at 360-449-2850 and we will set up a time and place to meet!

[@yvairguy]

You’re back!

[@mattmattsongold]

Been making fishing movies - it all takes time.

[@josephnewman9175]

Thanks for the video Matt! Always nice to hear you explain things. Just bought a new drywasher so I'm ready to dig for some dessert gold too! If you know any place's worth while please let me know. My buddy's liked your wad cutter video! Lol Joe gold

[@mattmattsongold]

You're welcome -- don't know where you're near, but I did put put a NM video up previously (look for the same avatar). This bar on the Umpqua is worth the trip.

[@josephnewman9175]

@@mattmattsongold thanks for the reply man! I will try that river! Iv actually fished salmon on the south umpqua before I became a prospector and miner. I live in west covina ca. Deserts are very close. I have done well working the San gabriel east fork with sluice and shovel. Your videos were the first ones I watched when I started! Very cool! Thank you very much! Joe gold

[@scottpetersen6869]

Thank you for sharing your info Matt

[@mattmattsongold]

You're welcome - again, have fun working those bars.

[@SlimShady771]

Thanks Matt. I've been driving by there a lot lately. Im always looking at the river! Lol

[@KowboyUSA]

See a lot of folks chasing gold there?

[@SlimShady771]

@@KowboyUSA no there's nobody there. From exit 102 up to 113 or so u can see a lot of the river. Maybe a couple of fishermen but it's pretty quiet. I just checked Oregon's new laws on placer mining in rivers. No motorized dredging allowed anymore. Matt's section thou is still allowed to river mine but u would have to do it by hand. There is also a 50 yards of material removal limit.

[@KowboyUSA]

@@SlimShady771 Thank you kindly, sir!

[@SlimShady771]

@@KowboyUSA your welcome!

[@mattmattsongold]

Good luck working it out if you do - we always waited for low water in summer - easiest time to work off that lip! Did our share of shovel work too. Have fun!

[@psychosneighbor1509]

Thanks for the video reminder, Matt. The season is almost here and I'm still sitting on 40 half buckets taken from the bar on the upstream side of I-5 and along to the south from there. I took your advice about bringing it home and just made runs down when I could last year to grab a dozen or so half-buckets at a time. I bought the Gold Cube/Trommel setup and the end of last summer but had trouble with my pumps/recirculating system getting enough water through the trommel to make everything under 1/8 to drop out and run through the cube. I just packed it all up and decided I'd deal with it this year... I've invested about $3,000 in tools and have a couple tiny specks to show for it. Luckily I'm not married haha :D

[@mattmattsongold]

Excellent! You're doing the right thing getting the material out of there - keep it up and keep working deeper.

[@psychosneighbor1509]

@@mattmattsongold Thanks, Matt. Will do!

[@puttingitogether2816]

I’m planning on stopping by there. When is the water the lowest? Thanks

[@puttingitogether2816]

I’m assuming late August? But some areas run low earlier.

[@mattmattsongold]

@@puttingitogether2816 : June on is good. Have fun!

[@stumpy31952]

thanks Matt

[@jeffersonstategold8349]

There is a lot to take in here. Thank you for sharing.

[@mattmattsongold]

You are certainly welcome and have a great time if you go!

[@auMr.Pocket]

Thank you

[@mattmattsongold]

You're welcome.

[@Jeffreymart]

♥ Thank you

[@mattmattsongold]

You're welcome!

[@TheFishguy7272]

Thankyou Matt for all you have accomplished and shared honestly with so many to educate to respect nature and the water and empower us to recieve our own wealth from our mother earth in a good way that keeps replenishing each spring and always will . Aho

[@mattmattsongold]

Thanks Shawn for you kindness. Very best of luck to you in the field!

[@thomasackerman3995]

You look younger now! Thanks for all the videos! This information is valuable for any location of course. Have you used the magnetic separators they sell now? Also this area is open to all? no claim required?

[@mattmattsongold]

Thanks - I even had my hair on straight for that one . . . I haven't used the magnetic separators - you could educate us on that yourself. No claims can be filed here in this area, the Oregon Dept. Of Transportation uses this stretch for road fill (so maybe following them and processing the road base would be a winning strategy until caught). Historic low water . . . a great time to work it! PS: various organizations have tried to lay claims in the past and the ORD always took a very dim view of it. Have fun and get a bucketful!

[@doscoronitas]

Nice to see you back... i want to be a treasure hunter... i own a boat. How do i start?

[@mattmattsongold]

I did the opposite - was a treasure hunter and Bob Weller (look up "Frogfoot" Weller) sent me out West because the shipwreck gold was drying up! We had to lease ground from the state at that time (1980's).

[@keithross8115]

My dad used to dredge right there by the train trestle in Myrtle Creek back in the late seventies used to do pretty good

[@mattmattsongold]

I'll bet he had a blast there! That's draining the Cow Creek/S. Umpqua right below their juncture (I know you know this but others don't). He had an excellent eye for picking a spot. Thanks for posting.

[@KowboyUSA]

Sure wish I could get out and get some of that Umpqua gold. That drain tube idea is clever. Woulda been heckuva lot easier to pack thru the wildlands than the ones I had.

[@mattmattsongold]

Yep - there's a lot of things I learned late as well . . .

[@666hobart]

Thank you Matt I was living just near here a couple years back still go through there a lot spent many hours in the area south of here where you mentioned before, Now I'm living in Lakeview spending a lot of time in Plush digging sunstones, Do you still work with those about ten years ago you put a video out on them. Did you facet them yourself?

[@mattmattsongold]

Yes, still facet some, but Connie is much more active than I am now - she uses them for her wire tree art a lot: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqHNnoWwhdJmgLc We really loved going out to Plush - hope to make it out there again.

[@666hobart]

@@mattmattsongold Very nice! Stay healthy sir!

[@Micismine_]

Please tell us more. Is there any way I can use a dredge in Oregon.

[@mattmattsongold]

I believe you could still do it by filling out a plan of operations with the BLM - on BLM ground - then filing suit if they or the state prevents it. Other than that - we organized in our day, put a few thousand people in the water and dared them to come arrest us and they quickly re-wrote the regs. But that was us and that was then.

[@chuckp3131]

Have you dredged in North Carolina. Thanks great video

[@mattmattsongold]

1 day . . . I gem hunted more than dredged since I had good claims out west and NC was just a little to far for testing equipment (for me). The (I may spell this wrong) - Uwharrie River tested good for gold. I carefully studied a map and got access points on state property (seems like there was a small tract near a bridge). You might want to look at all that again - and see what access is now since that was a couple decades ago or more.

[@chuckp3131]

@@mattmattsongold thank-you

[@christopherbruce7899]

~ Hi Matt, it's Chris again a little confused about how you said you won your right to dredge in court. Was that before the moratorium, under my understanding, there is absolutely no dredging in any salmon streams permit or not. Because I would love to try out my dredge that I made with all materials found in my local scrape yard.?

[@mattmattsongold]

Yes - that was in the 2000 era. In my time Corky Bales did a similar thing as you and put together real gold hog of a dredge - did a real good job. Good going on that!

[@cWatts-zv3oo]

Hi Matt. Hoping that you see this since this video is 7 months old. Not related to gold, however years ago you made somewhat of a documentary on your doing the loop on the 22 c-dory. Is this still available? If so, how would I go about getting a copy of it? Thanks.

[@mattmattsongold]

C-Watts - it's still on KZbin, though it was quite old and shot with a first generation camera (still viewable on a phone or viewer if you set the resolution to highest). Hope that helps and you have your own adventures cruising!

[@cWatts-zv3oo]

@@mattmattsongold Many thanks Matt!

[@puttingitogether2816]

Do you know of a good 750gph submersible pump for use with a gold wheel? If you set up links to amazon as an affiliate I'm sure people will make purchases. Thanks.

[@mattmattsongold]

We used to put one bucket (or pan) into another larger pan - the second pan is relatively clean water and any pump will work (in the field) - for running in clean water all of them work (I liked running ones with auto float valves). Use women's hose around your pump for a screener.

[@CrazyChipmunk78]

Matt I have a question for you.. if I'm understanding correctly you used to have a claim on Taylor creek below the falls.. the mining association I am a member of has several claims above the falls.. any suggestions on what to look for or areas of interest that I should potentially pay attention to?

[@mattmattsongold]

Alvin: my claims (4) were above the falls. The last bend of the claim was the entrance to the falls (pool before, though it did not include the waterfall itself). Don't know about your friend but ours had up to 2 oz nuggets. There is an old trail on it I roughed in with a jeep and there is an odd square shaped (exactly square) hole almost directly opposite the entrance driveway in the creek I would stay away from - may be an airshaft. The place is loaded with berries and bears. At the bottom end above the pool is a large table rock (and a boulder opposite ready to come down if it hasn't) that made a great work bench and general table (that's where I had my stroke). About all I can tell you - big rocks - not the easiest to work.

[@CrazyChipmunk78]

@@mattmattsongold awesome!! Yeah we have about a mile of streambed going right up to and slightly over the falls.. the guys say it is a very strange deposit, gold in random spots not like you would usually find on a claim. I was just curious what your thoughts were on that beautiful area.

[@CrazyChipmunk78]

Makes me wonder if these 4 claims are your old ones.

[@CrazyChipmunk78]

@@mattmattsongold I am so thankful that the stroke didn't take you from us, you are an amazing teacher and I am glad to have had the pleasure of learning a little from one of the best. Thank you!

[@mattmattsongold]

@@CrazyChipmunk78 : the guys say it is a very strange deposit, gold in random spots not like you would usually find on a claim. -- exactly what we found to be true in our time (I had the claim with Bruce Lamell).

[@stevewitt135]

Hey Matt I'm a long time viewer. I'm finally heading out west for the summer. Need your expertise. I would like to make gas money while traveling. What would you suggest? I'm thinking about mining for some "Ocean Picture Stone " wire wrapping and selling on etsy. Also some gold mining with a small sluice and detector. I'm trying to come up with a plane that could work for my skill level Which is 0... Thanks, would really appreciate any advise.

[@mattmattsongold]

Ocean Picture Stone is really beautiful. I looked on the site and the good examples do sell. Can you get that going now and try it out? If you just head out - might get stuck (that could be the best thing that ever happens to you - or the worst). Our plan was get there (west) and collect everything to sell at a later time here (east). We use: www.fairsandfestivals.net to find venues for our craft work. Perhaps you could sell the picture stone going across country? If you're handy, you might look into getting a job as a camp host (or helper host) at the parks or rv sites. You've got a place to base from that way.

[@CosmicCosmo1]

Do you need a permit for this? I live close to Umpqua. I should go take a shot at this

[@mattmattsongold]

Currently - "non motorized" - and that covers a lot of things that will get the gold in these bars. Hopefully everyone works together to get to the pay layers (as the old timers did). The next year brings more down.

[@DJNeet-sc3jk]

Where do you get your screens from ?

[@mattmattsongold]

DJ: these are all (no matter what they call them) grain screens. Almost any large farm store has them. These will be the cheapest. They are available at mining stores too (Keene Engineering, etc.) called classification screens - and these are usually the most expensive. Good luck finding them!

[@puttingitogether2816]

Do you still go out west to prospect in the summer or do you stay in Alabama these days?

[@mattmattsongold]

We're pretty much Alabama bound now. She and I did so much gold and gem prospecting it's simply time to teach it on the internet while we concentrate on the fishing (superb here).

[@fjacksonphoto]

For anyone reading, make sure to be careful in these areas, lots of undesirables have left needles laying around and I almost stepped on one at the parking area. Great spot to go, but need to be diligent in looking around, don’t let kids or dogs step off the dirt near leaves. After almost stepping on the one, I saw 4 more laying around. Please, please be careful!!

[@mattmattsongold]

Not good. Something I'm grateful we didn't have to worry with. Glad you were careful and let people know.

[@Hillbilly82]

I can say one of the best gold videos I’m headed out to a few of these spots soon have you been to the bottom of the pit under that bridge Matt?

[@mattmattsongold]

Yes - but that was many years ago. Good luck working these when you get there and have fun doing so!

[@Hillbilly82]

@@mattmattsongold Thanks Matt feels like I’m the only one doing in this area anymore, if you ever want to go out again I’m set up for two divers cheers!!

[@Hillbilly82]

@@mattmattsongold I tried to get down there a few years ago but my hookah set up was two short trying again next year with 30 feet of hose and more airline!

[@mattmattsongold]

@@Hillbilly82 : thanks for that - if we ever make it back we just might do that! Have fun working that out - you should (will) be able to visually see the gold mixed in the gravel and that's really exciting stuff. Good luck!

[@Stand.Your.Ground.]

My great grandpa used to work this area way back in the day. I am actually going to check it out and pay my respects to him this weekend. Never panned for gold but recently been looking for a new hobby and found out it’s in my blood. Thanks for all the tips Matt!

[@stumpy31952]

I have no doubts however my heart procedure is keeping me from being able to help my son, so I guess we need to find a couple helpers to get to the pay layer

[@doscoronitas]

I just saw in the video you were in Roseburg... do you know the Essential Craftsman? He's a KZbinr there... im glad to see you there... i thought you lived in Florida.

[@mattmattsongold]

Not that I know of. I'll try and look him up (I do or did know a lot of people there). Did live in Florida (Alabama now).

[@scottpetersen6869]

Hi Matt, What month did you work the umpqua?

[@mattmattsongold]

Late May - September was my timeframe out there. I was in the East metal detecting and testing equipment in the winters. Good luck working that system!

[@scottpetersen6869]

@@mattmattsongold Thanks Matt What thickness wetsuit? Im looking at 6mm for June You use a weight belt? How many pounds

[@mattmattsongold]

@@scottpetersen6869 : I did use a weight belt and I think I had 20 on hand to handle the nozzle. 3 mm is plenty for the Umpqua, it can be downright hot in mid summer. If you go 6 that's fine, but have a dive skin backup if it turns hot.

[@puttingitogether2816]

A channel on youtube made a thing called a Gold Webb. Have you seen one? If so, what is your opinion?

[@mattmattsongold]

I like that. One of the great things about teaching our old methods is watching new ones come along. Obviously it works. I have to wonder if some of those clear pleated hoses we used to use wouldn't work even better.

[@puttingitogether2816]

@@mattmattsongold Where can you get clear pleated hoses? Clear hoses seem to be hard to find or maybe I am not searching for the correct item? I ordered the clear wire stuff but am up to using other things.

[@mattmattsongold]

@@puttingitogether2816 : That I don't know - and I may be using the wrong terminology - look for hose that has the Michelin tire logo look - those bulges in the hose. That would be a natural internal riffle I would think.

[@MrSpaghetti13]

Unfortunately it is now illegal to dredge this location. The State of Oregon cracked down on dredging in 2013 by limiting dredging permit numbers. Then they banned motorized dredging in 2016. I live close by and have been very sad I can't dredge here. Thank you for fighting for our rights, but it looks like they got their way 10 years after you fought.

[@mattmattsongold]

The politicians waited until we'd died off and got infirm and then banned the dredging. The younger guys will have to take them on again as we did - but you can still beat them even with hand tools and non motorized equipment. They will sell the gold off eventually in my opinion (they'll get it out of there as "road fill" or river improvement or some such thing - and get bribes or "campaign cash" for it).

[@Brandon-uz9uy]

Wait we where waiting.you use 20 years ago?? Sooo your telling me I acutely have something amazing an interesting to entertain myself with for a while

[@mattmattsongold]

I was one of the first on KZbin, when practically no one thought it would go . . .

[@gregroth4696]

So Matt, I'm planning an exploring trip to this area of the Umpqua. Very exciting to contemplate. Ok I will only have about 4 days and no truck to haul pails and pails of dirt. So with pans and a non motorized sluice and a hand pump dredge where would you begin? I may come back later with more gear and a truck, but this trip will be minimalistic. You can email me at [e-mail]. Would love to hear from you and can send you some short videos of our prospecting for you to use as you see fit. thanks for all you do. Greg

[@mattmattsongold]

You're on a scouting expedition - really isn't anymore to this than what is on the video(s). I don't leave anything out. Get to the head of the bar and work like mad to get into the best pay layer you can and work it steady. Working steady is the key to getting a lot of gold. Those that skip around rarely get much at all. You have a right to be excited - we were too in our day.

[@gregroth4696]

@@mattmattsongold Thank you so much Matt! I’ll send you a results picture!

[@mattmattsongold]

@@gregroth4696 : good deal - I hope you have a great time down there!

[@tiffanyjames1921]

Is this legit still? My husband, myself, and our two babies are going there and I don't want to be hoodwinked.

[@mattmattsongold]

Yes - there's a few things you must do to be successful and keep in mind: gold comes from the upper Umpqua and Cow Creek - both towards Myrtle Creek (town). By the time it reaches the area you're looking at it has been pounded into flakes and by the time it reaches the sea, it's powder. So the further you work towards Myrtle Creek, the bigger the flakes are. You need to arrive in summer - it is the only time you can get low enough water to work where the heavy gold flakes are (low in the bar). Avoid the temptation of buying a lot of equipment - some screens, a gold pan, a simple sluice if you want it - is fine. You're at the start - finding some gold flakes and fine gold (just flakes pounded further into grains). Once you've done that, you'll have a better idea on what it takes to go further and if you want to - but at the start, keep it simple. Have fun!

[@OneManMining]

Change the Playback speed to 1.25x you’ll thank me later

[@geraldgerow3689]

Dude there is a big nugget in the top screen pan ...am I the only one who noticed this

[@mattmattsongold]

Apparently so - I've been waiting for anyone else to chime in.