Well, I worked the tailings at Mississippi Bar yesterday. Probably not a great job, but I kept at it all day. Nada. I even went in to the trees in between the rows and panned some. I stuck to the sides of the tailings, checking and kicking - nothing but cobbles. I did not see clay, balls or not, so assume I'm missing something. I had fun looking at all the different types of rock. And there was some great quartz, all kinds of colors. But alas, no nuggies. Around 3 pm I tried a little digging up on the sides of the bluff heading towards the dam, at the end of Main Ave. Still nada.
I think that's a job for a detector. Didn't see anyone but dog walkers and bicyclists all day. Wonder if anyone would 'catch' me if I wandered around with a gold bug. It's amazing how much earth they moved with those dredges.
On another note, I hit Mammoth Bar on the Middle Fork AR today and had a blast. Of course, just as I was finding some spots to work, it was time to go. Won't be back in the area for quite awhile, so guess I'm done for a bit. I can definitely see that I need a bazooka. I saw good color and if I could have moved more dirt, I'd have had a great showing. As it is, I got my fix and a snuffer bottle of black sand to process.
My next trip should be Eldorado forest for an extended stay. And yes, I'm taking a homemade bazooka this time. Can't wait.
excellent suggestion!) and what ever I get out of my black sand from Mammoth Bar. 
