Don't drag driftboat anchors

I just read a thread ("Giant slinkies for anchors) on Marty M.'s BB at www.steelheader.net in which a guy suggested coating big chains to use for dragging to slow drifboats while pulling plugs or sidedrift/boondogging. Several replies said NO WAY! Both guide observations and a study showed that this is very detrimental to spawning gravel and tiny gravel inhabiting creatures that fish feed on. I would add that it isn't considerate of the next boat of fishers to fish the clang dredged hole. - RT

[Barnyard]

That's not the only reason too. 15 years ago I was drifting the Cowlitz in a wood drift boat. It was after a storm and and the river was up. Instead of useing good sense and calling off the trip I and a friends dad headed out from Blue creek to the Mission hole. We tossed out the anchor to fish a hole and it wasn't enough anchor. It did allow us to drift down slow enough to fish however. We didn't get a mile down river and Steve my fishin buddy said there's a tree. I knew by the tone of his voice what was going to happen so I went for my knife. To late..The back end went down(i thought we were going for a swim) and before I could cut the rope, the back & 2 feet up one side of the boat was gone....The boat did pop up and float but it could have been deadly...

[4u2fish]

this is not exactly the same but the moral of the story is similar:

I once saw a power boater troling for salmon on the coulmbia in verrrrrrrry fast water they had no kicker so they were useing there mushroom anchor to slow the boat... well it got stuck in some rocks and since they were cleated on the stern with it they ended up almost drowning and quite embarrased...

Draggin any kind of anchor is just not a safe practice DON'T DO IT

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AKC H2O-K9

[Jennie@ifish]

O.K!!!!!
Hear that, folks? NO DRAGGING OF ANCHORS!
Man! I, the uneducated woman rower, learns something bad from someone I respect and took it for granted all did it! (Not Bill)
See, I learned something. It's BAD Guys!
Now, if I tell this person it is bad, will I get in trouble? Probably. This guy has a mind of his own.
Shall we have a contest to guess who it was?
NO!
Jen

[Chris Sessions]

OK Arty, Now is the time to fess up, I know Jen is talking about someone else here but you and I both have done this drag the anchor/eatdonut thing....yes?

[HOGTIDE]

Aaah Jen, I wouldn't feel all that bad. You know how newveau research and knowledge goes. Ten years from now ODFW will probably be paying us to drag anchors downstream. "Latest research shows that accu-dredging removes river silt, exposing ancient redds: The only remaining hope for the return of native stocks. In addition the sliding-anchor-plume, as it were, causes a natural micro-upwelling of nutrients within the river's eco system, providing a plethra of nourishment for the fry of all anadromous species."

Heck, why not. They pays us to catch *********!!!!

[Jennie@ifish]

I will if I want to!
OK, lol, get the message, arty.
Don't drag drift boat anchors.
Jen

[Jennie@ifish]

I'm not feeling bad, actually. It's good to learn what is good.
Are there reeeeeeeeally ancient redds under there?

That was funny!
J

OK SalmonShark, I'll fess up. A long long time ago I used to steal candy bars out of my brother's halloween sacks. Like with the anchor thing, it's been a long time since I've done that as I've gained wisdom. Did I forget anything else I need to fess up on? ... Nah, that's the only 2 things I ever done that I needed to learn better from. - RT