GOLD !

Back in 1991 the chemical spill at Cantara in the Sacramento River above Dunsmuir virtually killed our business in fishing gear for the next few years. It was a stressful time that hurt our business and others in our town by destoying our tourist industry abruptly. That part of our business had become increasingly important and its loss was a real blow. Sales of fishing gear to visitors as well as local fishermen (and women) stopped and we found ourselves looking around for ways to replace those sales.

We hit upon the idea of gold panning supplies. The Sacramento River was still here - it just wasn't available for fishing. The area has a long history of gold mining and it seemed like a natural thing to try. It's possible to pan for gold in the river right in town and find "fine gold" or "color" as the panners call it - tiny flakes of gold that are visible in a gold pan. Enthusiasts told us of the better areas to pan for gold in the river. The best areas seem to be where tributaries come into the Sacramento to the South of Dunsmuir - mainly those which come from the East side of the river. These spots; Castle Creek, Soda Creek, Sweetbriar Creek, Hazel Creek and so on - are easily accessible from Interstate 5.

We searched for a source of gold panning equipment and finally located one in Arizona - which later moved to Southern California. Setting ourselves up with gold pans, sluice boxes (like those in the picture), specimen bottles, instruction books, scales, tweezers, snifter bottles, and other specialized equipment, we were in the business. Our original supplier went out of business a couple of years ago and we had to find another (there aren't that many) and we continue to be in the gold panning equipment business today.

Our fishing business of course, came back after a few years and today is better than ever, but we have continued our gold panning business and it has been good for us. Kind of fits in the image of the "old fashioned hardware store" and is another specialized "niche" (like model trains, blue jeans, cast iron cookware, pocket knives, and giftware) that our customers enjoy.

Have to admit that we enjoy it too - it's fun to see the enthusiasm folks have for it and to hear the stories of their successes (and failures). At times like now - when the river is low - there are good opportunities for gold panning the sand bars, exposed bedrock, and low tributaries of the river. Then in the winter, when rain and snow melt raise the water level rocks move and stream beds get stirred up to make for more opportunities next year.