This panner is helping keep the gold rush alive in Kelowna

For a brief time, the Okanagan was a part of the famous British Columbia gold rush, with gold discovered near the mouth of where Mission Creek empties into Okanagan Lake.

However, the shimmer of the hunt faded quickly, and the area was abandoned for promises of bigger deposits elsewhere.

But the craft hasn’t died.

For panners like Sue Weldon, the region is the perfect place to teach others the ins and outs of the hobby.

Her journey to pick up the art was spurred with the discovery of an old, rusted gold pan, and a lifelong interest in rocks.

“I started reading all the books I could find on it,” Weldon told Kelowna10. “I’d say I’m hooked now completely.”

Having already introduced her grandkids to the hobby, Weldon decided it was time to bring others into the fold and pass on her knowledge to others interested in panning.

And interest is high. Weldon put the call out online and has already received a multitude of messages from fledgling prospectors.

She said the allure of gold panning is quite simple; once you find your first piece, you’re hooked for life.

“It’s extremely exciting, especially if someone is hyper like myself,” she said. “I yell like a little kid when I find the gold. It’s an adventure in itself every time I pan.”

And while it can be filled with the rush of literally striking gold, the experience is also quite calming. The beautiful colours of nature and tranquil sounds of moving water all contribute to an almost therapeutic experience.

She said fall is the best time to go panning, when the creek is at it’s lowest, and the temperatures aren’t too cold.

She has panned in the winter before, though would not recommend it – for obvious reasons.

As Kelowna10 watched her hunt for the precious metal, she exhibited a mastery of the skill and techniques need to pan. That was paired with the excitement that builds as she slowly uncovers her prize.

“What I want to provide for people is a place we could go locally, and I can teach people how to pan without the added expense of running all over the province chasing gold,” Weldon explained.

She can be contacted for lessons through her Facebook page.