Advice on Anchor on a drift boat front or back ?

[fly drifter]

I am getting ready to place my Anchor on the boat I have a trolling motor in the back.
I was wondering if I should squeeze my anchor in the back or put it off the front? dose it make a difference?
I have seen it both ways
but wondered if it made a difference or got in the way on either end.It is a small idem but I am a newbe?
:help: <font color="green"> </font> So any advice is welcomed.

[KChookem]

Hello fly drifter...

When drifting a river, you want the anchor on the stern. This will allow you to get the anchor up quickly, and then get on the oars quickly, which will be important in some faster water or when obstructions are nearby. If you want to keep the motor on the stern, there are anchor pulleys that are mounted in the corner of the stern.

Re: a motor when drifitng ...I always preferred not having anymore weight in the boat than needed, and especially on the stern; therefore, I rarely had a motor on when drifitng a river. You want water flowing UNDER the boat, and lifitng it, not water pushing on the stern (you do not want your anchor dragging in the water either).

An anchor on the bow is useful in lakes, tidewater, etc, espeically when you have a motor on the stern.

If you want more input from Ifishers, you might consider posting your question on the "Ifish Community" thread.

[steelhooked]

chookem has it right. i also anchor off bow when fishing the willamette and using a rocker anchor and ball. you will be amazed at the versitility of your drifter.

[jimh]

I'm not sure if you need this info or not, but it would have been nice to know in my case before I tried the side mount anchor holder. I just added a 101 lb thrust trolling motor to the back of my Willie. I've found that the control with the motor is approximately the same no matter if the motor is dead center or offset to one side. However, the side anchor mount isn't as good as the center mount. There is some swinging compared to the center pull anchor mount. So, if you you are talking electric, keep your center mount anchor.

[fly drifter]

Hey thanks for your reply's,its all helpful.Having a boat takes on a new dimension on fishing,I've always wadded or used my float tube on lakes.Any anchor system perferred over another?fly drifter&lt;&gt;&lt;

[KChookem]

fly drifter...

I recommend you search the Ifish archives - you'll find answers to questions you've not even thought about yet. There have been many, many very informative posts about driftboats, including safety considerations &amp; tips.

Before starting off on a search, I suggest you read the "How to search the Ifish archives" post in the "Life in General" thread (its near the top of the post list).

Re; your question about an anchor system ... I'm surprised your boat does not already have some type of anchor system. Nevertheless, I prefer a system where the pulleys run alongside the gunwale, and a good quality rope cleat that will hold the anchor line securely. I do not like the foot release system because I prefer to have the floorboards as unobstructed as possible.

I strongly suggest you do NOT tie a knot in the end of your anchor line (to keep it from running through the pulleys and out of the boat). Although it does not happen often, if your anchor unintentionally falls, and if it gets hung up on the bottom, it is much better to lose the anchor and line (rope) than to have your boat pulled under water.

[mutt]

Fly Drifter

I have a 16' Alumadrifter I have a stern anchor that is mounted on the corner and has a side pull system where you can pull it from the rower seat. I also have a bow anchor that comes in handy if you are a fly fisher like me. It allows you to anchor front and back to keep the boat from swinging.

If I float a river I leave the motor at home. But I could leave it on if I was on a river that I could use it on to motor back up a run.

Also as KChookem said about the knot in the end of the rope.
I keep 2 very sharp knives handy just in case I need to cut a line.

Good luck.