Speaking of fun--anyone here ever use a Bazooka?

[Lanny in AB]

No, I'm not talking about the military weapon, just to clarify things so I don't stir up a heated discussion, I'm talking about the dredge--the white ABS plastic dredge bazooka. I want to know if anyone has used one and how they liked/disliked it, whether they thought it was worthwhile etc.

My main prospecting partner is starting to slow down a bit and something lighter would be a whole lot easier to pack in. Still lots of good gold waiting to be rooted out this summer--can't wait.

All the best,

Lanny in AB

 

[Grubstake]

I have seen a couple of them used up here, in the Merced river, they tend to push the finer gold out, but will save bigger nuggets, and they have to be cleaned out pretty offten. there was a guy that used on, and it was powered by a 5 horse honda, with a 125 GPM pump, he had mounted on an inertube. he would float down river with a face mask on untill he found good looking bed rock and then fire it up and run awhile. He got some pretty nice chunks, but hardly any fines. you have to hold it at a pretty precise angle he said. Grubstake

 

[bris dave]

Sorry for the second use of the heading Grubby. Good for a giggle though!

If a sluice box or dredge or any other gold catching device isnt collecting the fines it isnt worth a squirt of goats piss on a hot afternoon!

On an average fines make up between 95-75% of the available gold in a stream from my experience. There will be the odd occasion where that isnt the case, but it is a reasonable guestimate.

If the dredge isnt getting the little bits it is set up wrong.
Too much water flow? Too little? Too narrow or too short? Wrong angle of operation?

As funny as it may seem the following runs true when we use our sluice boxes on a fixed plant.
The finer the gold the steeper the drop on the box. Courser gold will hold up better in a flatter box.
I know this sounds arse about, but it is a fact. The same applies with a dredge.
If the box is set up right you should get nearly all of your heavies in the first foot or so.

I hope this helps.

 

[Hoser John]

On a scale of 1-10 a 2,right behind a homie and a pick and shovel.I've got pounds where others bragged they got it all!!!John

 

[Lanny in AB]

Thanks Grubstake, for the information and the reply. It's good to get a little feedback on the Bazooka dredge, but I must say that it doesn't appear that there are many being used. It seems that they have their limitations, and thanks for the observations on how the guy with the innertube platform was running it in the river.

I use a new Keene 4" dredge and I love it, but it weighs considerably more than a Bazooka--I'll have to keep checking things out,

Lanny

 

[Lanny in AB]

Hey Hoser,

Thanks for the follow up, I respect your opinion greatly, as you are one who's had great success.

By the way, any chance you'd be willing to share any of your secrets or tales of your dredging outings? I love a great story. If you've got any tips or hints I'd appreciate hearing from you.

I'm still learning all I can about dredging from others, and every year I'm in the river I learn a bit more from the famous school of hard knocks too. I plan to hit it hard again this summer, most likely with my Keene again as I haven't got any great feedback on the Bazooka yet. Too bad, as I'd like to have found something lighter, but effective.

Thanks again,

Lanny

Hoser: P.S. Email me at lannyrolls@rocketmail.com

 

[Lanny in AB]

You know Dave, I appreciate your tips, and your suggestions. I didn't know you could dredge in your neck of the woods--can you?

Thanks again,

Lanny

 

[Grubstake]

Your welcome Lanny, most of the guys up here use anywhere from a 4 to a 6 inch dredge, the 6 inch being more popular. I might also add, they are not keen dredges, they are persision, with the 11 horse electric stat honda motors and 4x3 pumps and most run about 30 ft of hose, with a oiless piston air compressor, and a self primer on the pump. Really nice rigs, but pricey. And they have the hot water sute heaters on them also. I use to dredge with a keen 5 inch, with an 8 horse and a 4x3 pump But it does not compare to the persision dredges. Grubstake

 

[bris dave]

The average bloke cant just start up a dredge and go to work.
I can on my leases if I so desire as it is written in part of my Plan of Operations I completed when I bought the place.
I can also let others on to do so as well.

However, years ago some idiots started dredging around bridge pylons and caused some dramas ans that along with environmental concerns has seen dredging effectively outlawed in this country.

The are some logical and factual holes one could drive a truck through in this regard, but that is the way it stands at the moment.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Too bad that some people turn the people in power off. I've dredged quite a bit and the fish absolutely love it--does incredible things for the stream bed (aeration of the gravel for excellent spawning) and the amount of material I move is infitisimally small compared to what nature moves in two minutes during Spring flood! And turbidity--nothing compared to what Mother Nature throws in the stream, or to what a bunch of cows crossing the river stirs up.

All the best, and thanks for the input,

Lanny