If you like to side drift but your anchor makes a lot of noise banging on the rocks as you move downstream here's an inexpensive way to make your own anchor. You'll need 35-40 pounds of lead from a tire store. (Les Schwaab sells it for 20 cents a pound in Aberdeen.) You'll also need a large coffee can, 6" eye bolt that is threaded all the way to the eye with 4 washers and 3 nuts, and a piece of car tire about 12 inches across the top (Tread). You can cut the tire with a skill saw using a metal cutting blade to get through the steel belts.

Prepare the coffee can by drilling a hole in the side about 3 1/2 inches up from the bottom. The hole needs
to be the same size as the bolt so it will thread in. Before you thread the bolt into the can, place a washer on
the bolt. Drill a hole in the middle of the tread on the piece of tire. Slide the piece of tire on. Thread a nut
then washer all the way to the tire. Now put the bolt through the can. After the bolt is through the can put
on washer and nut. Tighten it up next to the can. Then place last washer then nut on the end of the bolt. It
should be located about the middle of the can on the inside. The can will be inside the tire. Place the can & tire on a stable block of wood that is about the same size as the can. The end of the tire will hang over the wood.

Melt the lead. I use a propane "king Cooker" and a heavy-duty pot. Don't use the pot for cooking afterwards, lead is a health hazard! I use a respirator and do it outdoors. Skim off the pieces of rubber and steel. Using thick pot holders, pour the lead into the can carefully. The lead will fill the can up about 2/3's full. Hammer down the empty part of the can after it cools.

I like to clamp on 3 links of stainless steel chain and tie the rope to the end of the chain

I promise I'm not trying to pick on you Letty ... BUT this silent anchor to drag around while drifting is a BIG NO_NO in my book.

This time of year ... dragging 20 to 40 pounds of lead along the bottom rips up the spawning beds of the kings ...

As we get into the latter winter and spring, you're doing the same to the steelie beds ...

Nothing pisses me off more on the river than watching someone dragging anchor through spawning grounds ... and I'm sure a few people can attest to this fact from the earful they received from me.

Besides that, it's dangerous ... know of two boats that have sank on Forks-area rivers in the past two years when the anchor became stuck and sucked the back end of the boat under.

You are picking on me All the guides on the Quinault fish Steelhead this way. Most stop the drift before the riffle, start up the motor and pull the anchor in. My husband has done spawner surveys for the Quinaults for 20 years and when I asked him about this he said the area the anchor slides down in the glide isn't where redds are located. Maybe you should come out with me fishing, my treat, on the river(I promise to release all wild steelhead)All you have to do is show me some of your secrets!

ps no boats sunk by anchor yet here

This is a subject I've been wanting to ask about for awhile.

I just picked up a boat last spring and I seem to have a hard time getting it to hold anchor if the water is moving at all, not to mention trying to hold a spot by oaring in moving water while pulling plugs. I think it has to do with the boat sitting low in the water and the back of it getting hit. It doesn't have as curved of a bottom as most boats.

Shouldn't a 30lb pyramid anchor be enough to hold this 14' boat? The dragging is what I'm trying to avoid. I'm just wondering if there is anything aside from more weight that might make me catch better. Any suggestions?

Eric from Aberdeen, I think this used to be your boat before BK bought it. How did it track or hold anchor for you?

Thanks for any advice.

Bruce

[This message has been edited by B. Gray (edited 12-09-1999).]

I think its bad news to drag an anchor so you can "boondog"...Reds, Reds and more Reds. There whats gonna keep us fishen. Potter you know your river intimately enough to know were the reds are for all species that inhabit that system so its not to bad probably, plus that river dosent get the pressure of the other rivers so you can probably afford a few mishaps too, but the occasional weekend warrior or new guy to the other rivers wont know the river good enough to make sure he or she isnt killing reds of the previous spawners.
I use a Minn Kota (NO GAS MOTORS)trolling motor on my driftboat (only on rivers were I compete with sleds), and it works awesome.
Just another option that can help in many other ways too...
Just make sure its legal for that river or species.

Again: I'm not picking on anyone either, just trying to show all asspects and offer a option that is a alot more Fish freindly...

Bruce, we didn't have a 14 foot boat so I don't think I can help you. There are a lot of expert drift boat guys this site that could help. Try Asking you question on the main page if you don't get any responses here

A good anchor that holds, is a chain style anchor. Take 'bout 30+ feet of heavy chain. and make a series of 1 foot loops. Take a 3 foot piece of cable and thread it through one side of the loops and cinch the wire tight. The anchor weighs about 40-50 lbs(if you use the heavy chain. TO make the anchor quiet, wrap the individual loops with duct tape. You end up with a dread-lock lookin' 40+ lb blob, that usually sticks right away.

B.Gray:I have a 16 ft wide bottom Willie that holds fine with a 30lb anchor. If you are having trouble holding you may be setting too short, or if the boat swings around alot that will help it release.

B Gray-
If the stern section of your boat is burried or catching water, it's not going to hold anchor. If you are able, you may need to balance the boat more towards the bow, setup and balance is key to anchoring.

Kev

Bruce,

The fact that the boat lacks a lot of the classic "banana shape" is somewhat of a liability because it consequently pushes more water and it was something I faught from time to time.
However.........The boat also worked adequately anchoring- we caught alot of fish in it!. I'm assuming you have my old anchor. Actually, it worked fine for me but what helped a great deal was letting a little more rope out than usual thus putting the anchor farther behind the boat when it is trying to grab. It held solid on numerous fast water drifts here on the peninsula.

As far as plug pulling, I never did much in that boat because I don't like pulling plugs. The boat was a beginning one for me and was bought with the goal of getting from starting point A to finishing point B; Mainly transportation down the river. I've since graduated to a Willie's for more diverse fishing.

If you still experience anchor problems, try welding some rebar or pieces of chain to it to add to it's "grabability"; you shouldn't need more weight.

Hope that helps. E-mail or post further questions and I'll do what I can to help.

Eric

That much weight should be fine if the anchor is still in good shape ... I only run a 50 on my 20 by 72 boat with five people in it ... and I can anchor about anywhere.

Make sure to have sharp corners ... if you don't, you won't grab ... might have to melt it down and start over if the edges are all smooth