I live in BC and we had our own Gold rush just before coming into Confederation with Canada before 1871. The Gold rush prompted a lot of development and the economy boomed such that the region became attractive enough for the US and Russia to make territorial claims of the colonial West coast. Canada promised the Railroad to the newly minted Province of British Columbia.
In all the backwoods around and along the Fraser River you would find plenty of evidence of old claims of prospectors and mining companies from years back.
I though about doing the same recreational panning, and likely spend far more cash preparing for it than to buy a 1/4 oz gold Maple Leaf.

Thanks for sharing Hive account@dkid14