Always be studying your bedrock for any anomalies!

I was down on the bottom of a trench checking the bedrock a few years back.

It always very important to keep a close watch of the ever-changing bedrock conditions. Subtle clues of the geology and geomorphology and recognizing these changes increases your odds of being a successful  placer miner.

Anytime their is a geological structure change, chances are you are going into a gold drop zone.
The structural change may basalt, sandstone or other geological  anomaly, always pay close attention, you may be in a good paying section of pay gravel!!