Favorite anchor type

guitgary · 03-07-2003, 01:34 AM

Once again, I need to draw from the well of great information out there!

My question is...what is the best anchor type when fishing from a 16' sled on a Santiam or Clackamus-type river. I currently have a 35# pyramid-style, but I have a very bad back...the 35# is pretty tough to bring over the bow.

Thanks,

Gary

Hogmaster · 03-07-2003, 04:42 AM

First off, a 16' sled in Clackamas or Santiam type river is best never anchoring up. These rivers are too small to be doing much anchoring on, unless it is way off to the side while drift fishing or the like. Anchoring in the fishy looking slots will impact a large amount of water for other fishermen and can even be dangerous because of the narrow nature of the channels. DBs and other sleds need safe passage.

Sorry about your back.

There are two situations where anchors can be dropped. Potentially snaggy and unknown bottom, or gravel bottoms (up to good sized river rock).

For the first, the pyramid is a better choice since it will likely be able to be pulled straight up out of a crag if it gets stuck. In the second case, a rocking horse style is better to grab and dig into the bottom. But a pyramid won't hold a sled on gravel in current, and a rocking horse may go bye bye if you drop it in a snaggy area (boulders or trees are nortorious rocker grabbers). Both should be in the 30+ category if you expect to hold.

So, save your back and get a friend to lift the anchor when you do choose to drop it. Post an open seat and watch ifishers willing to pick up an anchor jump at the opportunity to avoid being bankbound. But do us all a favor and avoid dropping it in the main slots!

[ 03-07-2003, 05:48 AM: Message edited by: Hogmaster ]

guitgary · 03-07-2003, 09:12 AM

Many thanks for the info and the advise.

guitgary · 03-07-2003, 10:06 AM

Re-read your post, thanks. I have and always will be respectful of ALL others on the river. I am fairly new to the "sled" bit and usually am alone. I would only anchor where decorum and fisherman ethics would provide...regardless of the river or condition.

I really appreciate your comments and wish there was no need to remind those less respectful of the need for boating etiquette...I also wish I could catch a 20 pounder on every cast, too! Ha Ha.

Hope to see you on the river some time.

Gary

Hogmaster · 03-07-2003, 06:34 PM

You are right, Gary. I wasn't trying to flame you, but rather educate the ifish community in general.

Certainly it is good to know you aren't intending to be a hole hog or worse, unsafe in your anchor spots.

Another place for two anchors is in the Willamette. I use a pyramid if I anchor anywhere above the old OC bridge to the falls. That area is a spot to almost guarntee loss of a rocker anchor, because the tines tend to get caught in the crags of the rocky bottom and even if the safety ties pull loose the anchor still doesn't.

Another good choice for areas like that is a big bunch of chain, since it will lay in the bunch and pull right up. If you have a good source for that you can gather it into a ball and use it. It still would require about 30 pounds plus though to be effective.

But, anything below the old OC bridge, as well as anywhere on the 'Lumbo, you want the rocker and a bit of chain to dig in to the soft bottom,

In any case, you want a couple anchors anyway for when you choose to go tidewater fishing down at the coast. An anchor off each end keeps the boat in place.

Hope this helps!

Another Gary

guitgary · 03-08-2003, 05:07 AM

Thanks again for the update. I think I'll do my back a favor and start bringing my son-in-law with me. Great kid in any case. He can handle the anchoring chores. I have the pyramid and will need to pick up one of the tined models.

Gary

cannonball · 03-08-2003, 06:31 AM

I purchased an anchor at Northwest Jet last summer. Its kinda a hybird design. It is shaped like the anchors on popeyes arms with a second set of tines that fold out and cross the first. Ive used it in the fast current/flat bottom of the columbia reach as well as heavy current/ craggy bottom below Mcnary. It works great and stores flat. Im heading down bonneville way next week and post a report on its effectiveness there.

[ 03-08-2003, 07:43 AM: Message edited by: cannonball ]