By Gayle Pille
NKyTribune Correspondent
There is gold in these here hills, folks.
Word is there’s a couple of ole boys in Indiana making $300 to $400 a day panning a local stream (at an undisclosed location of course).
And if you don’t believe me, ask Ron.
Ron Gable, of Hidden Valley Lake in Indiana, has found gold in Ohio, Indiana, Virginia and Alaska. He’s sure there’s gold in select areas of Northern Kentucky, and Joe Camminiti of Burlington can prove it. Joe has found gold in Middle Creek at Middle Creek Park in Boone County.
“All of the gold in this area comes from Canada and is glacial gold,” said Ron. Back in the day, from 19,000 to a million years ago, three different glaciers covered most of Ohio, Indiana, and into Northern Kentucky over three different time periods. They were the Pre-Illinoian, Illinoian and Wisconsinan Glaciers. With these glaciers came ground up minerals from Northern Canada that included rocks, gravel, sand; and believe it or not, garnets, rubies, diamonds and yes, gold. Ron has found them all.
“Almost any river or creek in the area that runs north-south has glacial gold in it,” said Ron. “And every time a stream floods in spring, it just replenishes the gold.” Some of Ron’s favorite streams are the Scioto River, Little Miami River and Big Miami River. His all-time favorite though is the Whitewater River at Harrison, Ohio. “I’ve never been skunked there,” said Ron. “Even beginners will find something.”
But you’re not going to get rich panning for gold in the Cincinnati area. “It’s purely recreational prospecting,” said Ron. “Everything is very small and has been ground by glaciers and creek movement. The diamonds, called Indiana Diamonds, have a yellow cast, are very small, and are very low grade.”
So how to get started on this get rich not-so-quick adventure?
“Everyone starts out with a pan,” said Ron. “It’s the most important tool you’ll get and you’ll use it your entire panning career.”
And it won’t break the bank. A decent pan can be purchased over the Internet for as little as $10.00.
“You can do everything with a single pan,” said Ron. “They are all plastic and very durable. Old timers used copper or metal pans. They would pan for gold and then eat their meals out of the same pan.”
“Then you have to learn how to use the darn thing,” continued Ron. “You put a shovel-full of sand and gravel into your pan. You then want to reduce that shovel-full down to a couple of tablespoons.”
Ron can accomplish this task in just a couple of minutes. The ridges in the pan catch the heavy stuff. Since gold is the heaviest thing in the creek, twice as heavy as lead, it should stay in the bottom of the pan. Ron teaches panning by putting BB’s in a prospector’s pan. If the prospector can keep the BB’s while getting rid of everything else, he’ll also be able to keep gold in his pan.
But if you want to strike it rich prospecting for gold you’ll have to head west, just like in the old days.
“People are still hitting pay dirt in California, Arizona, Idaho, Alaska and the Canadian Yukon,” said Ron. “The really hotspot now is Australia where they use metal detectors.”
The ultimate for Ron has been his two trips to a mining camp in Nome, Alaska. “The lucky ones find enough to pay for their trip,” said Ron. “But we’re really just a bunch of old kids playing in the creek, getting wet and muddy, and getting away with it.”
Do You Want to Prospect for Gold?
If so, join Ron Gable and other prospectors at Green Acres Canoe Livery on the Whitewater River in Harrison, Ohio.
All ages are welcome. It’s a great way for the entire family to spend the day. It’s also the perfect outing for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The outing and any gold you find are free of charge, however if you canoe there is a rental fee.
If interested, contact Ron at gablefamily@hotmail.com
Gayle Pille is a local naturalist and nature writer who many know through her work to establish the five-mile network of nature trails at Highland Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell. She created the cemetery’s popular 25-year-old Wildlife Enhancement Program and works with a small team of volunteers to maintain the cemetery’s wooded walking paths. An avid birdwatcher, Gayle also builds custom wildlife nest boxes for businesses, parks and residences through her business, www.woodlandhabitat.com
Contact her at gaylepille@yahoo.com
I wonder if those 2 good old boys would like to hook up with another good old boy in their area