The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Valuable Gold Discovery Made By Atlanta Co.
Posted: 5:22 pm EST February 7, 2010
Updated: 5:31 pm EST February 7, 2010

MISSOULA, Mont. -- Dutch Gold Resources Inc. of Atlanta said its Basin Gulch project 16 miles west of Philipsburg could produce more than $3 billion in gold.

The company in a news release aimed at bringing in investors said it has found a large open-ended gold and silver system within two miles of Rock Creek in Granite County.

Company officials said in the release issued late last month that they expect to file preliminary applications with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality this month as part of the process to start mining the gold.

The company also said it has filed forms with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to notify investors.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed



Notice "...within two miles of Rock Creek...". I suppose it could be in another drainage and road system, but this is certainly worth keeping an eye on(fighting?).

That sucks.

I perused my Montana maps and any place "16 miles west of Philipsburg" and "two miles from Rock Creek" is solidly in the Rock Creek drainage. It looks like it might be in the Gilles area of Rock Creek, or thereabouts. That indeed, does SUCK. One can only hope that they don't get approved, but given the price of gold right now, and the economy being what it is, think the odds might weigh in their favor.

...or we could fight 'em...

--Fly Guy Dave

First place I ever fished with a fly rod. I didn't know what the hell I was doing, but the river is so beautiful it didn't really matter. Returned a number of times and did a lot better, same beautiful place. Hate to think of what could flow into that watershed in terms of sediment and chemicals.

Grew up in Msla, learned to fish in Rock Creek. Lucky(!) enough to marry into a family that owns property there. (And NO, I married for LOVE! Even tho I am now a Rock Creek property owner. )

Can't imagine industrial traffic on that road.

Maybe you should introduce me to your sister in law. Just sayin'.

Where abouts do you fish Rock Creek when you are there or are you a full time Montana resident? How is the access in the winter time on that road anyway? Was checking out property along the creek last summer. One thing for sure, Philipsburg is along drive back to Missoula after running out on full length of Rock Creek Rd. especially when you are low on gas. Thanks for the heads up on the gold mining concerns in the area. That might just change plans to relocate there in the next couple of years. Keep us informed to the progress of mining concerns in tha area. Do you really think that the traffic pattern would come along the creek via Clinton to access the area orin via Philipsburg?

I'm smart enough to marry a RC property owner and dumb enough to move to CA. Couldn't wait to get out, and now all we do is try to get back!!

RC is fishable from A to Z, top to bottom, up and down,... Larger fish more towards the bottom, more fish towards the top. There are some places where the river flows away from the road, but never so far that it can't be accessed by a little stroll. There is lots of private property though, so stay below high the water mark and you'll be OK. There are seasonal floating regs also.

Winter access depends on the amount of snow and how active the plows are. Stay lower where the river is bigger and the valley warmer. Fishing can be great in the winter, I have caught my biggest fish at that time of year - migratory browns. Lots of whitefish though, which can be avoided if you fish upstream of them just a little bit where the water is faster - also, "lose" the beadheads.

Stop by(support) The Rock Creek Mercantile for info and supplies. The owner is a former Bay Arean(not arIan!).

In ONE day I have seen moose, deer, elk, coyote, sheep, black bear and all the usual little critters. Never heard/seen of grizz in the area, but I would not bet against it.

Yes the road from I-90 to P-burg is a pain in the a$$ to say the least. They have graded it and made it even narrower in some spots. If you want to fish the top, it is easier to take I-90 to Drummond and head south to P-burg and then come down the river. Many campgrounds make it a great river for a multi-day trip.

IF(big IF) this mine goes thru, I find it hard to believe that the traffic would flow down river and not thru the above mentioned route. Traveling down river in 4x4 F150 is a pain in the a$$, can't imagine doing it in any sort of industrial vehicle(can you imagine industrial traffic on that road?). But that won't prevent any potential downstream run-off effects.

Residents in the area(greater Msla area too) are very environmentally aware and active, I have no doubt this will be fought tooth and nail. There is a Rock Creek group(don't remember the name) that is very active. They have helped thwart a McMansion development at the bottom of the river near The Clark's Fork. They tried to get us to sign a promise that we would not put any permanent structure on our property. There was also a gold discovery and planned mining up around Lincoln on the Upper Blackfoot that was shot down by locals.

These miners will have a War on their hands if they want to try and go thru with this. There is mounds of red tape and bureacracy(Can't believe I am actually thankful for that! In this case ONLY. Am I a NIMBY? I guess so, hang me if you want.) in place against anything that potentially harms the environment. I have no doubt that there will be a grass roots fight against this. That does not mean that they will be successful though.

I will keep all informed with the status, as well as how we can help.

Signed your's truely-
Nimby John

Stop by the Rock Creek Tavern and check out the foto albums of the Rock Creek Testicle Festival. Leave the wife and kids in the car!

Sturgis, S.D. ain't got nuttin on "The Testy Festy"!

For adult eyes only... http://www.testyfesty.com/

I got the pick-of-the-litter.

There is a bro-in-law available though.