Bob, or anyone... First, is boondoggle(ing) the correct spelling?- I have fished in this manner only a few times on the Cowlitz R., Wash., & Kenai R., AK. While I do prefer to backtroll or anchor driftfish, I do think it's both relaxing & productive. I have a couple Q's I would apreciate feedback on. 1- Is boondoggleing still common on larger Washington rivers such as the Skagit? (It is not common on larger Oregon rivers such as the Clackamas & I don't know why). 2- From what I've experienced, this method seems to be fairly simple- proper boat postioning during the drift thru & proper bait drifting, similar to driftfishing w/o having to cast much. Q..is there any intricacies to this method that is not obvious to the casual observer that helps productiveness?- Thanks much, Steve

Question?? Is boondoggle when you have an anchor out and just allow it to slow your drift down but not allow it to hold? If that's the case than I have used this method from time to time. I have had some luck with it when I'm fishing long drifts. I've used it in the Nooksack where that river usually has a nice green color to it but recently I've been using it in the Skagit and wonder since the Skagit runs so clear how the sound of the anchor might affect the fish biting? I fished a wonderful spot on the Skagit yesterday where it was really deep 1/2 way out where we dropped the anchor and let the boat bounce down stream and we where casting into the bank which was a really perfect drift but no fish or bites while we did this. I did hook one fish prior to dropping the anchor which made me wonder if the fish might be sensitive to the sound. Most of the rivers I've used this technique on aren't as clear as the Skagit so it makes me wonder.

It's BOONDOGGING also known as side drifting and still common and effective on the Skagit and many larger rivers. What Fishbreath is doing is known as anchor dragging and is very noisy under water (remember sound travels much more effeciently under water that in air). Anchor dragging is also destructive to the riverbed. Use your oars, kicker or an electric motor to keep your bow upstream and in the fishes traveling lanes

It started out approximately 20yrs ago as boondogle and has evoled to boondogging.
Tight Lines. Jim Marquis

What I,ve read is this style of fishing originated from logger's riding the log raft's(Boondog's) down river to the mill. The guy's would cast off the back, and catch fish. All in a day's work!

I've done it a number of times with guides on the Cowlitz and the Snake, They make it look easy - but it's not. I bought a sled this year and found that boat control is the key, and it's not as easy as it looks. getting the boat positioned correctly for each drift, and fishing the drift correctly, takes a lot of practice! My hat's off to the guides, I will never do it as well or as effectively as they do!

Bill Herzog's 'Steelhead Drift Fishing' distinguishes between boondogging and side drifting. He defines boondogging as fishing at the same speed as the current behind the boat, and recommends letting the rig touch bottom only every 15-20 feet to minimize snags. The weight used is roughly double that what you'd use if fishing the same water from the bank as you're dragging the rig behind you. The Skagit is where the technique originated, according to Bill, and boondogging is most often practiced out of jet boats on big rivers.

'Side-drifting'is mostly done out of drift boat. Casts are made either downstream or straight out, and the weight used is much lighter than for boondogging. The drift is a 'standard swing' with the exception that the boat is moving so extra water is covered. The rig is presented at around 50-75% of current speed as well. This technique is recommended as the best way to cover the most water from a drift boat in a single day.

Pages 45-47 of this must-read book cover the techniques in greater detail.

From what I have done of it and seen most guys like to keep their lines at a 45' angle upstream from the boat. This to me is harder than it looks, I can never seem to do it for very long. I end up hooking most of my fish almost straight out or slightly upstream. This is what we did this weekend and it was deadly!

Boondogging. Once you get it down it is the only way to fish and without a doubt the most effective under most conditions. I spent 4 or 5 years fishing with a guy who learned the art (and it is an art) on the Skagit. In recent years when you go to the Cowlitz or Skagit you will see alot of guys motor dogging which is a great way to go but the real doggers (usually the Skagit boys where the technique originated)often use just the oars and working the current to get the good drift. If your on the Skagit take the time to watch these guys work the water and postion their boats to take advantage of the current they really know how to read water. I also believe these are some of the best fisherman I have ever been around and this is because they really get into reading current more so than when you anchor or use power to position yourself. I also think in summer low conditions and winter low clear conditions these guys have an advantage as they are quiet and tend to work the holes from more angles. Many people who motor dog just rely on the power and drift right out in the current the same path each time throw right then left and forget about the stealth factor.

Ther are other factors like everyone needs to have the same size lead and mainline so your lines don't overlap and get tangled. Positioning your boat to take advantage of the current instead of fighting it all day. It takes time to learn.

If you ever get a chance to get in the bow and whatch one of these guys dog for a day you will learn alot. You can also get out your oars (if you have em) and try it yourself, its fun.

The other thing I learned from him was instead of dragging an anchor, take half an old truck inner tube and fill it with sand and drag that. It is quiet, doesn't get stuck on the bottom, doesn't slow you down so much, keeps the boat straight and can be pulled easier to speed the drift. Called "draggin the bag". Also works good if your doing a quick drift with your drift boat.

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there he is!!

[This message has been edited by David Finet (edited 03-07-2000).]

[This message has been edited by David Finet (edited 03-07-2000).]

Thanks David. I have done this some on the Cow & Kenai. It is productive, but the water had some color though. Watched guide Clancy Holt do it with a boatload on the "Fishing The West" TV program once- they caught several Cowlitz steelhead. I haven't tried it in low clear water though. It seems that it could spook fish to see a jetsled of fishermen drift near or right over them. I have drifted silently, w/ oars still & sitting in a camo driftboat, near salmon & steelhead in clear water many times & usually they will scamper downstream or around & upstream quickly. Could be the fish don't like my mug I guess. Thanks for the feedback.- Steve