I wear suspenders when fishing so my anchor don't drag,........ Wait a minute, did you mean Boat Anchor?

I thought that was what a zipper was for???

WOO HOO!!!

Now 1001........

(Always did talk too much... )

Mike

21% have said they do it all the time
48% never do it
31% say shoot them (just for you Mike)

April 21st at 3:30pm

I use an electric trolling motor to slow the boat down, and I go downriver backwards. Plenty of control, leave no trace, except for when I dig a trench with the prop.

Rob J - "dragging anchor" in a driftboat usually means you drop it before stoppng the boat with the oars, so momentum carries you forward a ways, or the flow is high and the type and size of anchor on board is not sufficient enough to stop the boat. In case #1, it's an easy fix - just pull on the sticks a few times before letting the anchor rip. In case #2, it is sometimes unavoidable and it happens to all driftboaters from time to time, but you can limit this by either pulling over towards the bank out of the current (which is where you should probably be fishing anyways when the flows are high) or simply stay on the oars and forget about the anchor. Other options are getting an "animal style" anchor - I have heard they sometimes stick better. Bottom line - dragging anchor should be avoided as much as possible, as it is bad for the river ecology. Hope that helps.

I don't do it in a drift boat because I don't have one, but I do it all the time with my sled. All of you who cuss and swaer at us should be the ones to get shot.

One of THE stupidest rules on the Skagit -regarding sleds-goes into effect during spring steelhead--boats cannot fish under power.. I dont drag anchor but that is one dumb rule. Ive drifboated that river enough and it aint a drifboat river for the most part-unless you go way up. You fish the river on one side for the slot the row your arse off to hit the slot on the other side. May as well drift the Fraser.

2cents

Coho,

When that regulation was adopted for the Skagit - way back in 1985 or 1986 - kickers hadn't shown up on the Skagit yet. Skagit boondoggers controlled their sleds by skillful use of the oars to set up their drift. Personally, I think it was cool to see skilled boat handling. Kinda' sad to see skill replaced small outboard motors.

So what is it exactly that makes the regulation stupid? Selective fishery regulations are just that - selective. It's for those anglers who don't mind foregoing bait, barbs, and fishing under power with a motor. Maybe it's not your thing.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

People have been dragging for 40 years. The Skagit is a prime example. The difference is that the Skagit guys have figured out how to do it without damaging the river bottom.

Not to be a wise-ass, but really??

Loss of spawning habitat is one of the keys to the lower fish counts in the Skagit. Just in the last year some serious changes have happened to (what I understand was) prime spwawing area for Kings and Steelhead.

No, not all (perhaps none) of it was caused by anchor draggers...but loss of spawn beds is a serious issue on this river, IMO. Why take chacnes are doing more harm?

I fished the Skagit today, and watched one of the boats H2H referred to...running the motor and dragging anchor while sidedrifting.

Sucker corked me on 2 holes in a row. We dropped in the plugs, then he slid in 100' below us and started sidedrifting. Guess that attitude goes with the territory.

Mike

Salmo g.

Thanks!

You know fishing the Skagit since the late 60's makes me feel a little differently then most.

Mike

I didn't say any thing but that same thing happen to us

Sorry to hear that. There are dipsticks running drift boats, jet sled and dipstick bankies, it comes with open resources.
If you watch the sled pull anchor and it is lead or a chain then I agree with you, they are idiots.
The old timmers that respect the Skagit and know it better than anyone all use intertubs filled with sand. These will bounce along the bottom without damaging th gravel and still keep the boat straight while drifting. No noise either. They have tested it and run them in clear water to make sure there is no damage.

These guys that I watched are dragging there anchors in spwaning gravel

Salmo G,

I dont mind foregoing bait or single barbless, and I too have fished this time of year in the Skagit from my Driftboat and sled without power-but it makes as much sense and outlawing oars on boats to me--or saying you cannot use a trailer to haul your boat-makes as much sense as O'Doules or De-Caf Coffee. I think it encourages people to drag anchor. That I dont do. Its kind of a big river dont ya think?

People use to also skillfully seek fishing grounds out without the internet--guess them days are gone.

Poll Results: Dragging Anchors (63 votes)

All the time! 22% (14)
Never do it! 48% (30)
Those that do should be shoot! 30% (19)

Dragging chains, canon balls, or anything else is plain ass lazy. Not to mention the damage it does or the danger you put yourself and others in the boat in. Who ever thinks they can drag anything on the bottom withour disturbing it in some way has their fricking head in the sand or up something.

Get on the sticks and row. It isn't that tough.