10 Best Gold Panning Kits (June 2026) Expert Reviews

There is something genuinely exciting about swirling a pan in a cold mountain stream and spotting that first glimmer of gold at the bottom. Whether you are planning a weekend adventure with the family or looking to pick up prospecting as a serious hobby, having the right gear makes all the difference. I have spent months testing and comparing the best gold panning kits on the market, and this guide shares everything I learned along the way.

The best gold panning kits give you everything you need to start finding gold in one convenient package: pans with proper riffles, classifiers for sorting material, snuffer bottles for capturing fine flakes, and storage vials for your finds. After testing 10 different kits from brands like Garrett, Minelab, SE, Sluice Fox, ASR Outdoor, VEVOR, and DigNew, I can tell you that not all kits are created equal. Some include thoughtful accessories that genuinely help, while others cut corners on materials.

In this guide, I break down each kit based on hands-on experience, real user feedback from forums like Reddit’s r/Prospecting, and honest pros and cons. Whether you need a budget-friendly starter set or a professional-grade prospecting kit with a sluice box, you will find the right match here. Let me walk you through the top picks for 2026 and help you choose the kit that fits your goals and budget.

Top 3 Picks for Best Gold Panning Kits

Best Gold Panning Kits in 2026

1. Garrett Deluxe Gold Pan Kit – Complete 9-Piece Prospecting Set

This is the kit I keep coming back to. The Garrett Deluxe Gold Pan Kit includes four gold pans of varying sizes, a classifier, a guzzler bottle, tweezers, vials, and a magnifier. That 15-inch SuperSluice pan is the standout piece. I have moved a serious amount of gravel through it, and the deep 90-degree riffles do an excellent job of trapping gold while letting lighter material wash away. You can process a lot more material per pan compared to standard sizes.

What I appreciate most about this kit is the green color of every pan. When you are staring at the bottom of a pan trying to spot tiny gold flakes, that green background creates excellent contrast. It sounds like a small thing, but after an hour of panning, your eyes will thank you. The kit also includes a 10-inch pan for finishing work and a 14-inch Gold Trap pan with specialized riffle geometry.

The build quality across the board is solid. These pans have held up to months of use without cracking or warping, even in cold creek water. The classifier fits perfectly on a standard 5-gallon bucket, which makes pre-sorting your material much easier. Garrett has been making prospecting equipment for decades, and that experience shows in the thoughtful design of each piece.

The main downside is that the included snuffer bottle can sometimes arrive cracked, which seems to be a shipping issue rather than a quality issue. A few users have also noted that the instructional DVD and booklets feel outdated, but honestly, between YouTube tutorials and online prospecting communities, you will not miss them. The physical tools themselves are top-notch.

Who Should Buy This Kit

This is the kit I recommend to anyone who is serious about gold panning, whether you are a complete beginner or an intermediate prospector. The variety of pan sizes means you can handle everything from moving large amounts of material to doing fine finishing work. If you want one kit that covers all your bases without needing to upgrade later, this is it. It is especially good for adults and older teens who want professional-grade results from day one.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you are buying for young children or just want something ultra-cheap to test the waters, this kit might be more than you need. Families with small kids might prefer a simpler, lighter kit. Also, if you specifically need a sluice box or rock pick, you will need to buy those separately since this kit focuses on panning tools only.

2. Minelab PRO-Gold Panning Kit – Professional Blue Pans with Backpack

The Minelab PRO-Gold kit takes a different approach from Garrett, and I like it for different reasons. Instead of four pans, you get two: a 15-inch dual riffle pan with three separate trapping zones and a 10-inch single riffle pan for finishing. The blue color is a genuine advantage. In certain lighting conditions, especially under direct sunlight, blue actually provides better contrast for spotting gold than green does. Many experienced prospectors on Reddit’s r/Prospecting community specifically recommend blue pans for this reason.

The hex-mesh classifier is one of the best I have used. It has sturdy handles on both sides, which makes it easy to shake material through without spilling. It sits perfectly on top of a 5-gallon bucket, letting you classify your gravel before you even start panning. This pre-sorting step is something many beginners skip, and it makes a huge difference in your gold recovery rate.

What really sets this kit apart is the convertible carry bag. It zips up into a backpack with shoulder straps, so you can pack all your gear and hike to your prospecting spot hands-free. When you are hiking a mile upstream to reach a promising bend in the creek, having both hands free for balance is a real advantage. The kit also includes an iron-separator magnet, a double-loupe magnifier, a vacuum suction bottle, a gold transfer pipette, and micro-gold storage vials.

The main trade-off is that the storage vials are plastic rather than glass. For most people, this is actually a practical choice since plastic will not shatter if you drop it on rocks. However, if you prefer the weight and feel of glass vials for displaying your finds, you will want to pick up a couple separately. The magnifier’s swivel mechanism can also feel a bit fragile if you are rough with it.

Who Should Buy This Kit

This kit is perfect for prospectors who hike to their spots and want a portable, well-organized setup. The backpack design and comprehensive accessory set make it ideal for day trips where you need to carry everything in. It is also a strong choice for anyone who prefers blue pans for gold visibility, or for intermediate prospectors who want professional-grade tools without buying individual pieces.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you need multiple pan sizes for different tasks, the two-pan setup might feel limiting compared to the Garrett kit’s four pans. Beginners who want to experiment with different techniques might prefer having more pan variety. This kit also lacks a rock pick or any crevicing tools, so if your prospecting style involves prying material from cracks in bedrock, you will need additional tools.

3. SE 11-Piece Gold Panning Kit – Most Comprehensive Budget Kit

The SE 11-Piece kit is the best-selling gold panning kit on Amazon with nearly 1,600 reviews, and for good reason. You get three gold pans in 8-inch, 10-inch, and 14-inch sizes, two sifting sieves with different mesh sizes, a magnetic black sand separator pen, tweezers with a magnifier, and glass storage vials. That is a lot of equipment for the money, and it covers virtually every step of the gold panning process.

I found the three-pan approach really practical. The 14-inch pan handles the bulk material work, the 10-inch is your everyday workhorse, and the 8-inch pan is perfect for carefully finishing your concentrates. Having two sieves with different mesh sizes means you can classify material at two different grades, which helps isolate the size fraction most likely to hold gold. The magnetic separator pen is particularly handy for pulling black sand out of your concentrates, making the gold much easier to see.

The glass vials are a nice touch that many competing kits skip. There is something satisfying about storing your gold finds in proper glass bottles rather than cheap plastic tubes. The tweezers with the built-in magnifier also work well for picking up tiny flakes that would otherwise be impossible to grab with your fingers.

The downside is primarily build quality. The plastic used for the pans is noticeably thinner than what you get from Garrett or Minelab. After extended use, I could see these pans developing cracks along the riffle edges. They work fine for casual use, but if you plan to pan every weekend, the premium kits will last significantly longer. Some beginners also report a learning curve with these pans since the riffle design requires proper technique to work effectively.

Who Should Buy This Kit

This is an excellent choice for beginners who want to try gold panning without a big investment. The variety of tools lets you experiment with different techniques and find what works for you. It is also great for families or groups since the extra pans and sieves mean multiple people can pan at the same time. If you want maximum value and do not mind replacing the pans after a season or two of heavy use, this kit delivers.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Experienced prospectors who need durable, long-lasting equipment should consider the Garrett or Minelab kits instead. The thinner plastic construction will not hold up to aggressive panning or cold-weather use as well. If you already own pans and just need specific accessories, you might be better off buying individual pieces rather than this full kit.

4. Sluice Fox Compact Gold Prospecting Kit with 12″ Pocket Sluice Box

This is the only kit on this list that includes a pocket sluice box, and that alone makes it worth a close look. The 12-inch sluice box is compact enough to carry in a backpack but functional enough to process significantly more material than panning alone. You set it in a stream with flowing water, feed material in at the top, and let the current do most of the work. The included Miner’s Moss and Gold Trap Mat sit inside the sluice to catch fine gold particles that would wash right through a pan.

I tested this kit on a creek in Northern California, and the sluice box performed surprisingly well for its size. The expanded metal riffles create turbulence that drops gold out of the water flow, while the moss traps the fine stuff. It is not going to replace a full-size production sluice, but for a portable setup you can hike with, it punches above its weight. The two spiral riffle pans included are also solid performers.

Sluice Fox designed this kit near Keyesville, California, a historic gold mining area, and you can tell the designers actually use this equipment themselves. The tote backpack holds everything and is rugged enough for the trail. The kit also includes a black sand magnet, stainless tweezers with magnifier, snuffer bottle, and three gold vials.

The main drawbacks are relatively minor. The classifier pan is smaller than the classifiers in other kits, which means you spend more time classifying the same amount of material. The magnet works but is not as strong as standalone options. And the included scoop has been reported to crack under rough handling. These are not deal-breakers, but they are worth knowing about before you commit.

Who Should Buy This Kit

Anyone who wants to move beyond basic panning and try sluicing without investing in full-size equipment will love this kit. It is perfect for backpackers and hikers who want a complete, portable gold recovery system. The sluice box opens up a whole new approach to prospecting that pans alone simply cannot match, especially for processing larger volumes of material.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you plan to do most of your panning in still water or very slow-moving streams where a sluice box would not function well, you might not get full value from the included sluice. The small classifier size could also frustrate prospectors who need to process large volumes of material quickly. In that case, the Garrett or SE kits with larger classifiers might be better suited.

5. Sluice Fox Gold Rush 10-Piece Panning Kit – Lightweight Family Option

This is the lightest full gold panning kit I have tested, weighing in at under one pound. That makes it incredibly easy to throw in a day pack or even a large pocket. The kit includes two gold pans in different sizes with different riffle types, a black sand gold separating magnet, a plastic scoop for moving paydirt, a snifter bottle, tweezers, and gold vials. It covers the essentials without adding weight you don’t need.

I took this kit on a family camping trip and it was the clear favorite for younger prospectors. The smaller pan sizes are easier for kids to handle, and the lighter weight means they can carry their own gear without complaining. The two different riffle types on the pans also serve as a good teaching tool to show beginners how different riffle designs affect gold recovery. The magnet does a decent job of pulling black sand away from your concentrate.

The plastic scoop is actually more useful than I expected. It has the right shape and size for scooping paydirt into the pan, and it doubles as a small hand trowel for digging into stream banks. The snifter bottle works well for sucking up fine gold flakes from the bottom of your pan once you have concentrated your material down to the heavy fraction.

The carry bag is the weakest link here. Multiple users, including myself, found that it tears easily, especially if you stuff it full of wet equipment. The pans are also on the smaller side, which limits how much material you can process per pan. And the vials are plastic rather than glass, which is fine for field use but less satisfying for displaying your finds at home.

Who Should Buy This Kit

Families with kids, casual hobbyists, and anyone who wants a lightweight, packable gold panning setup for occasional use will get great value from this kit. It is also an excellent choice if you want to introduce gold panning to a friend or family member without spending much. At this weight, you can keep it in your car or backpack for impromptu panning opportunities.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Serious prospectors who need larger pans for processing more material per session should look at the Garrett or Minelab kits. The small pan sizes here are fine for learning and casual panning, but they will slow you down if you are trying to work a productive stretch of stream. If durability is a top priority, the carry bag and lighter-duty pans may not hold up to regular, aggressive use.

6. VEVOR Complete 23-Piece Sluice Box Gold Panning Kit

The VEVOR 23-piece kit is the most complete package on this list. You get a 50-inch folding aluminum sluice box, two gold pans, two classifier screens, a separating magnet, three snuffer bottles, three plastic pipettes, three gold vials, a paydirt scoop, a spoon, a magnifier tweezers set, four crevice picks, and a backpack to carry it all. That is a serious amount of equipment for the money.

The 50-inch sluice box is the real star here. It folds down to a manageable size for transport, but when assembled, it gives you a full four feet of sluicing capacity. The aluminum alloy construction is rust-resistant and feels substantial. The miner’s moss comes pre-installed, so you do not have to spend time setting up the carpet and riffles before you start working. Assembly takes just a few minutes with no special tools required.

I was impressed by how well this kit works as a complete prospecting system. The four crevice picks are great for cleaning out cracks in bedrock where gold often hides. Having multiple snuffer bottles and pipettes means you can work through your concentrates systematically without constantly cleaning tools. The shoulder straps on the backpack make the 11.68-pound total weight manageable for most hikes.

The biggest drawbacks are the pans and some accessory quality issues. The included pans are smaller than I would like for the size of the sluice system, which creates a mismatch. You end up using the pans mainly for finishing work rather than as primary tools. The snuffer bottles are also stiffer than the ones in other kits, which makes them harder to squeeze. And the magnet, while functional, is noticeably weaker than the dedicated magnet pens included in the SE and Sluice Fox kits.

Who Should Buy This Kit

This is the kit for prospectors who want a complete sluicing and panning system in one purchase. If you are setting up a semi-permanent prospecting spot or taking extended trips where you plan to process serious amounts of material, the 50-inch sluice box alone justifies the investment. It is also great for families or groups since the 23 pieces provide enough tools for multiple people to work simultaneously.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you primarily plan to pan rather than sluice, the large sluice box adds weight and bulk you might not need. At nearly 12 pounds, this is the heaviest kit on the list, which matters if you have a long hike to your prospecting spot. The smaller pans also mean you will likely want to supplement with a larger pan from another brand for primary panning work.

7. ASR Outdoor 19pc Ultimate Gold Panning Kit with Rock Pick

The ASR Outdoor 19-piece Ultimate Kit stands out for one big reason: it includes a rock pick. Most gold panning kits focus purely on panning tools, but this kit recognizes that serious prospecting often involves breaking rocks and cleaning out crevices. The 20-ounce rock pick has a rubberized grip and a pointed tip that works well for prying material from bedrock cracks where gold accumulates. It is the only kit on this list that includes any kind of rock hammer.

The pans are heavy-duty plastic with deep riffles in a dark green color that provides good contrast for spotting gold. I found them to be a step up in durability from the lighter-duty kits, though not quite at the Garrett level. The 304 steel mesh classifier screens are a nice upgrade over plastic classifiers because they will not warp or crack, and the stainless steel construction means they resist rust even after years of wet use.

ASR Outdoor includes duplicate tools in this kit, which is a thoughtful touch. You get multiple snifter bottles, magnifying tweezers, and glass vials, which means two people can prospect together without sharing tools. The glass vials are a real bonus for collectors who want to display their finds properly. Everything fits on the rim of a standard 5-gallon bucket for organized workflow.

The biggest complaint from users is the piece count. While the product listing says 19 pieces, several buyers report receiving closer to 17 items. Some kits have arrived with missing pieces, though ASR Outdoor has been responsive to replacement requests. The kit also weighs 8.68 pounds, which puts it on the heavier side. This is not a kit you want to carry far from your vehicle.

Who Should Buy This Kit

This is ideal for prospectors who work in areas with exposed bedrock and need a rock pick for crevicing. The duplicate tools make it a good choice for pairs or small groups who want to prospect together. If you prefer steel mesh classifiers over plastic and like having glass vials for your gold, this kit checks those boxes. It is a solid intermediate option between budget starter kits and premium professional setups.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If accuracy in advertised piece count matters to you, the discrepancy between the listed 19 pieces and the actual count has frustrated some buyers. The weight also makes this less suitable for hikers who need to carry their gear long distances. If you are looking for a sluice box, this kit does not include one, and you would be better served by the Sluice Fox or VEVOR kits.

8. ASR Outdoor 5-Piece Gold Panning Beginners Kit

This is the most affordable way to start gold panning. The ASR Outdoor 5-piece kit keeps things simple: one dual riffle gold pan, a glass collection vial with a screw-on lid, magnifying tweezers with a built-in loupe, a snifter bottle, and a basic instruction set. No extra pans, no classifiers, no backpacks. Just the bare essentials you need to walk to a stream and start panning.

The dual riffle design on the pan actually works well for the price. I tested the 10-inch version, and the two sets of riffles do a respectable job of trapping gold particles while letting lighter material wash out. The glass vial is a nice inclusion at this price point since many budget kits only give you plastic tubes. The magnifying tweezers are genuinely useful for examining your finds and picking out tiny flakes from black sand concentrates.

With over 1,100 reviews and a 4.4-star rating, this kit has proven itself as a reliable budget option. Many buyers report using it as a party activity, a vacation activity, or a way to test whether gold panning is something they want to pursue more seriously. At this price, there is almost no risk in giving it a try.

The trade-offs are clear. The pan is thin and somewhat flexible, which experienced prospectors will notice immediately. It is fine for learning the basic panning motion, but you will not get the same level of control as you would with a thicker, more rigid pan. There is also no classifier included, so you will be working with unsorted material, which makes gold recovery less efficient. This is a starter kit in the truest sense.

Who Should Buy This Kit

First-timers who want the cheapest possible entry into gold panning will find exactly what they need here. It is perfect for kids’ birthday parties, school projects, vacation souvenirs, or anyone curious about the hobby. The available size options (10-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch) let you choose based on your hand size and preference without spending extra.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Anyone who already knows they enjoy gold panning and plans to do it regularly should invest in a more complete kit. The single pan limits your technique options, and the lack of a classifier means lower gold recovery rates. If you are comparing this to the SE 11-piece kit, spending a bit more for the additional pans, sieves, and magnet is worth it unless you are strictly budget-limited.

9. DigNew 18pcs Mini Sluice Box Gold Panning Kit

The DigNew 18-piece kit is one of the newer options on the market, and it brings some interesting design choices. The 12-inch mini sluice box is made from aircraft-grade 6000-series aluminum, which keeps the weight down while maintaining durability. The dual-layer miner’s moss claims a 98.7% gold recovery rate for particles down to 50 mesh, which is impressive for a portable unit at this price point.

Out of the box, you get a lot of accessories: two gold pans, two classifier screens, magnifier tweezers, a separating magnet, three snuffer bottles, three storage vials, three pipettes, a paydirt scoop, and a drawstring backpack. The user manual is also surprisingly helpful for beginners, walking through the basic steps of setting up the sluice, classifying material, and panning concentrates. I wish more kits included this kind of documentation.

The angled riffle design with expanded metal grid creates decent turbulence in the sluice for catching gold. In my testing, it worked well for medium and coarse gold but struggled with the finest flakes. The aluminum construction held up fine during testing, though some users have reported quality concerns with the welds on the sluice box under heavy use.

The main issues center around the pans and some accessory design choices. The pans lack the riffles that make dedicated panning pans effective at trapping fine gold. They work for moving material through the sluice, but if you want to pan concentrates effectively, these pans fall short. Both classifier screens are the same mesh size, which defeats the purpose of having two classifiers. The snuffer bottles also lack one-way valves, making them harder to use for capturing fine gold.

Who Should Buy This Kit

Beginners who want to try sluicing on a budget will find this kit appealing. The aluminum construction and included backpack make it a good value for the price. It is also suitable for hobbyists who already own decent panning pans and mainly want an affordable, portable sluice box setup to expand their prospecting capabilities without a big investment.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Experienced prospectors who need reliable fine gold recovery should look at the Sluice Fox or VEVOR kits, which include better-designed pans with proper riffles and sluice boxes with more capacity. If you need classifiers in different mesh sizes, having two identical screens here adds no value. The 12-inch sluice is also quite small for anything beyond casual hobby use.

10. ASR Outdoor 10pc Gold Rush Prospecting Kit

The ASR Outdoor 10-piece Gold Rush kit occupies a solid middle ground between the bare-bones 5-piece starter kit and the more expensive multi-piece sets. You get two dual riffle gold pans in 10-inch and 8-inch sizes, an 11-inch hand trowel with a beveled scoop edge made of durable ABS plastic, an 8-pound black sand magnet separator, tweezers with a 4x magnifying glass, water suction tweezers, and three glass gold flake vials with water-tight screw lids.

The hand trowel is a genuinely useful addition that many kits overlook. Having a proper digging tool makes it much easier to collect material from stream banks and gravel bars. The beveled edge helps slice through packed dirt and clay. The glass vials hold 3mL each and have proper screw-on lids that keep your finds secure, even if the vials get jostled around in your pack.

With over 500 reviews, this kit has a solid track record. Many buyers praise it as a great starting point for beginners, particularly the inclusion of both regular tweezers and water suction tweezers. The water suction tweezers let you pick up tiny gold flakes from water without losing them, which is a nice feature usually only found in more expensive kits.

The downsides are familiar if you have looked at other ASR Outdoor kits. The pans are thin and have a glossy surface finish that some experienced prospectors say needs to be roughened up (surfaced) for best results. The black sand magnet is weaker than the ones in competing kits and has been reported to rust after repeated wet use. The 10-inch and 8-inch pan sizes are also on the smaller side, which limits how much material you can process per pan compared to a 14-inch or 15-inch pan.

Who Should Buy This Kit

Beginners who want more than the absolute minimum but are not ready to invest in a premium kit will find this a good fit. The included hand trowel and water suction tweezers are practical tools that add real value over simpler starter kits. It is also a solid choice for kids and teens who need smaller pans that fit their hands better, since the 8-inch and 10-inch sizes are manageable for younger prospectors.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

If you plan to pan regularly or want to process larger amounts of material, the small pan sizes and thin construction will become frustrating. The weak magnet is a real limitation for separating black sand from your concentrates. Prospectors who want to start with equipment they can grow into should consider the SE 11-piece kit or the Garrett Deluxe instead, both of which offer larger pans and more durable construction for not much more money.

How to Choose the Right Gold Panning Kit

Picking the right kit comes down to your experience level, how you plan to use it, and what accessories matter most to you. After testing all 10 of these kits, I can walk you through the key factors that actually make a difference in the field.

Pan Size and Riffle Types

Gold pans typically come in sizes ranging from 8 inches to 15 inches. Larger pans like the 14-inch and 15-inch models let you process more material per pan, which means more chances to find gold. Smaller pans in the 8-inch to 10-inch range are better for finishing work and for kids or adults with smaller hands. Riffle design is equally important. Dual riffle pans have two sets of ridges that trap gold at different depths, making them more forgiving for beginners. Single riffle pans give you more control once you develop proper technique. The deep 90-degree riffles on the Garrett SuperSluice are particularly effective at holding gold in place during aggressive panning.

Essential Accessories Checklist

A complete gold panning kit should include at minimum: a gold pan with riffles, a classifier or sieve for sorting material by size, a snuffer or snifter bottle for sucking up fine gold flakes, tweezers with a magnifier for picking out individual pieces, and storage vials for your finds. Beyond the basics, I find a black sand magnet separator incredibly helpful for pulling magnetic black sand away from your gold concentrate. A hand trowel or scoop for collecting material is also valuable. Kits that include rock picks or crevice tools open up additional prospecting techniques that pans alone cannot address.

Kit vs Individual Pieces

One of the most common questions on Reddit’s r/Prospecting is whether to buy a kit or purchase individual pieces. For beginners, kits offer clear value. You get everything you need in one purchase, usually at a lower combined price than buying pieces separately. The downside is that kits may include items you don’t need or lower-quality versions of specific tools. Experienced prospectors on the forum often recommend buying individual pieces from trusted brands like Garrett, building a custom setup over time. If you know exactly what you want and have the patience to source individual items, that approach can yield higher quality. But for most people starting out, a good kit is the smarter choice.

Beginner vs Advanced Recommendations

If you are brand new to gold panning, start with a kit that has multiple pan sizes and clear instructions. The SE 11-piece kit and the Garrett Deluxe are both excellent starting points because they give you room to experiment with different techniques. Intermediate prospectors who want to increase their gold recovery should look at kits with sluice boxes like the Sluice Fox or VEVOR options. Advanced prospectors who know their preferences are usually better served by buying individual premium pans, classifiers, and accessories to replace specific pieces rather than buying an entire kit.

Color matters more than most people realize. Green and blue pans provide the best contrast against gold in most lighting conditions. Black pans make gold harder to spot, and red or orange pans can create glare under direct sunlight. Most of the kits on this list use green or blue, which is the right call.

FAQ

Final Thoughts on the Best Gold Panning Kits

Finding the right gold panning kit comes down to matching the equipment to your goals. For most people, the Garrett Deluxe Gold Pan Kit is the best all-around choice. Its combination of four pan sizes, quality construction, and proven riffle design gives you everything you need to start finding gold effectively. If portability and organization matter more to you, the Minelab PRO-Gold kit with its convertible backpack and excellent blue pans is a close second. And if you just want to dip your toes in the water without spending much, the ASR Outdoor 5-piece kit gets you panning for minimal cost.

Gold panning is one of those rare hobbies that combines outdoor adventure, a bit of history, and the genuine thrill of finding something valuable. With any of these best gold panning kits, you will have the tools to make your next stream visit a lot more rewarding. Grab a kit, find a creek, and see what glints back at you from the bottom of the pan.