Anchor On A Solo Canoe

[joeD]

Friends - I'm curious about an anchor system on a 14 ft. solo canoe. Mainly, is it worth it? Advantages? Disadvantages? Please discuss. Thanks.

joe

[Al Agnew]

I've got an anchoring system for my solo canoes, but seldom use it. About the only times it comes in handy is when fishing streams in the winter, where you need to spend a lot of time in one spot. It CAN be dangerous if you try to anchor--or drag the anchor accidentally--in fast water. Mine consists of a wooden plank that I can use bolts and wingnuts to attach to the stern plate of the canoes, with one of those anchor pulleys attached to it. I use a doubled-over length of heavy chain covered with rubber. A length of anchor rope is attached, runs through the pulley, and up to where I'm sitting, so all I have to do is lift up on the rope to let it out, lift up and pull to bring it in. The biggest problem I have with it is that when I pull it in and it's dangling from the pulley, a few inches of it is still dangling in the water. This causes a bit of drag when paddling--but it also acts as a bit of a rudder, which CAN be a good thing.

[timsfly]

I use a section of log chain for my 10 ft canoe, and I carry a brush anchor with me, that is all I've ever needed on the small lakes and streams where I go. I tie the log chaing to 20ft achor rope, but I hardly ever need that much length

[joeD]

So it sounds like a do it yourself affair, instead of buying a "ready made" product. Generally, I just stick a leg out (if I don't want to get out and wade a particular hole) and hold the canoe steady whilest I fish. You know the drill, kind of pull over to the shallow side and flail away. I guess I'm just looking for an excuse to pimp my ride. I figure I'm heavy enough anyway, I AM the anchor. At least that's what my wife tells me (whether "anchor" as in a steadfast, resolute, force in the family or a weight around her life, I haven't figured out yet... Note to self: look up "albatross"). Regardless, thanks Tim and Al, but I want a yes or no answer!

[Gavin]

Heres a picture that shows mine..its a homemade wooden bracket mounted off the stern of my boat..I have an an anchor lift and lock on the bracket, so I can drop it from my canoe seat... Anchor is a piece of chain wrapped with duct tape. Works pretty well for slowing my drift and anchoring in slow water, but I'm probably going to rig another one up for the bow. An old window sash weight would work just as well. Cheers.

[joeD]

Thanks Gavin. Two anchors, eh? So it's more for slowing down and boat control? I can dig that. Looks like a rainy day picture of the Meramec. Is that a jointed Rapala I see on the end of your line, hmmm?

[Gavin]

Joe you got it...the drag chain hangs off the back, slows me down and keeps the bow pointed downstream. I control my drift speed by lengthening or shortening the amount of rope I have out and I control my line of drift by back paddling. Move the stern into your desired drift lane, then let the bow swing around..Its a good way to fish faster moving lures like cranks and buzzbaits, or brainlessly drift a fly under an indicator till something eats it...Its not good for slow presentations though..A bow anchor works a lot better for that..Eddy out, drop the bow anchor, and cast back upstream..The pic is from June of last year, just about 100 yard above Love's cabin on the Meramec. Cheers.

[joeD]

Splendid! But Gavin, you still didn't say if that was a rapala on the end of your line! Or is it a secret? Cheers to you too.

[Al Agnew]

Mine looks pretty much like Gavin's, and I mainly use it the same way, except in the winter when I'm fishing pretty slow water anyway, it will stop the canoe and hold it in one place. But I just find it to be too much trouble most of the time during summer low water levels. I don't like carrying it around and attaching it to the canoe. I can pretty much hold the canoe on a line to fish with the paddle, using eddies, shallows, and obstacles, and don't find the anchor all that useful to me...but that's just me.

[Gavin]

Ought to look like yours Al..I saw your anchor bracket years ago and made something similar. I dont use it much on creeks but its great on bigger water. Wouldnt be without it on the 11pt or Meramac, but I think you fish a lot faster than I do though.

Joe thats a J-9 in Black & Gold, great bait straight out of the package, its also great if you bend the lip down like Don House suggested (Search Wiggle Diggle on this Forum).