Skykomish--- Nice fish bad anchor setup

I hit the Skykomish today between Monroe and Sultan (I launched at Ben Howard)

I thought I would try out my anchor trolley setup while the rivers are still somewhat subdued.  The anchor trolley worked fine in slow moving slack but when I deployed it in faster moving water it would not stay near the stern of the boat.  I tried tying off the pulley to prevent it from moving but in fast water it was too much to deal with.  I think I would rather have a stationary anchor rigged up and will start working on a system this week.
So I am anchored in moderate speed water and screwing with the anchor trolley.  The anchor is deployed in the middle of the PA and the current is splashing on the left hand side of the PA.  I have read enough on here to realize that this is not the safest position.  I take a hard tug on the trolley and I am now facing up river (pulled the wrong way) and so I turn the PA to the right towards shore.  My line and plug are now under the boat and downstream.  I am cursing at the trolley and see a nice fish jump about 15 yards away out of the corner of my eye (I start to curse  more) and as I turn my head I see it has shiny (chartreuse) plug in its mouth) fish on!!!  My line is still running underneath the PA, the anchor is deployed, I am perpendicular to shore and fish on. 
I kept the line tight to ensure the hook was set as it made its first run down stream, and then some how I was able to release enough line and slack to reach the line around the front of the PA and land a 26" Steelhead (I was wrong before).  It was beautiful olive on top and thin reddish stripe down its side.  I didn't get a picture (exhausted from the process) and decided to release it because I was unsure of the regs and was happy to actually land such beauty on crisp fall day. 

So bad anchor setup but nice fish.
(sorry for the long post)

Way to work through your anchor problems and land the fish.  I think the fixed anchor point will work better on the PA, because it is shaped closer to a boat than a kayak.   Post some pictures when you have it all set.   

It's not the obstacles that define a man.  Rather, it's his response to them.

Well done!

-Spot-

Adapted, and overcome!!!! Way to go Dwalk. You got me jonesing to go steelheading. I also have been looking at ways to manufacture a anchor mount to the rear of my Outback to drift the Clack. I am out of town but when I get back It to the steel yard for some aluminum plate and angle to start fab. I have a couple of ideas so we will see how it goes. I sure wish you had gotton a pic of you steelie nothing like fish porn.

Way to land the fish!

I wonder if it was the extra action provided by the boat movement that drew the strike. I would imagine that your lure was sweeping side to side a bit and dancing forwards and backwards as you were trying to correct your anchor trolley. I know I have caught steelhead in the Wilson (from the shore) using an erratic retrieve on a parr colored rapala in the past. While I am not recommending your method for achieving the erratic retrieve I do find it interesting that you drew a strike while in this situation.  Great job!

Wow that is a harrowing story. I am glad you are here to tell it. I have always gone out by myself. I will definitely need to be extra careful after hearing your story. Stay safe!

 I am Guilty as charged I also fish by myself quite a bit. It is a great reminder that 2 is better than 1. Glad you made it out of a bad situation with only your pride hurt and some missing gear.

I had another anchor problem in fast moving water about 8-10' deep.  Knew I was in trouble right away, released the anchor with crab float attached.  The crab float was looped around the storage bungee cord behind my seat and as I turned to unravel it, I rolled the PA over.  Now in fast moving water, PA upside down, anchor tangled on the stern and me on the bow hanging on to the evolve motor with waders full of water. 

I could go on but you get the idea.  I was stuck like this for about 15-20 minutes.  I owe a family in a drift boat a great deal of thanks.  They cut the anchor rope and secured the PA to shore. Several shore fisherman insisted that I just get in my truck and get warm and they loaded the PA for me.  I drove humbled and shivering.

All in all I am lucky that it was not much worse and I only lost my salmon net, G3  and shimano baitcaster and misc crap.

No more solo fishing for me, I love the solitude but this could have been easily handled if I was fishing with a buddy.  The family in the drift boat and all the guys at the Ben Howard launch saved my rear.

You're a lucky man.
I'm glad things worked out so well for you!!!

(This is directed to all you enthusiastic yak newbs)
- Anybody using their yak in swift water needs to be prepared and well practiced.
- Dress to swim.   
- Practice deploying and retrieving your anchor repeatedly in soft water.
- Practice keeping your anchor line clear of potential snags (in your yak).
- Spend that extra time before paddling out to be sure your line is cleanly coiled without bites sticking out that could cinche down on you or your gear or jam in a guide.
- Spend the time after coming off anchor to be sure your line is cleanly coiled without bites sticking out that could cinche down on you or your gear or jam in a guide.
- Always have a sharp (preferably serrated) knife close at hand to cut your anchor line.

If you're going to hit the fast rivers this fall/winter, build yourself a drift anchor.  The ease of deploying and retrieving makes it a much safer alternative to the river anchor.

-Mark-

I'll add, NEVER have a float or even a knot on the end of your anchor line when anchoring in swift water.  Glad it turned out ok, I've seen boats lost in similar situations.

Am slightly confused. Was this your second accident on anchor or was the original edited way down?

You kept your head. Thats important.  You also have mayne identified a possible anchoring issue with the PA. It may be that you'll have to look st a more conventional anchoring system rather than a system adapted for yaks. Which i think someone else already mentioned.

PAs are "supposed to be" super stable. Can you walk us through the actions again that caused it to roll over? Theres a teaching point hidden in there somewhere that can be helpful to other PA operators and of course yourself.

Good to hear you are ok after all that.

I'll just leave my yak at home when fishing the sky for steelhead this winter:). I don't mind hiking and climbing over rocks from time to time