Anchor retrieval question

Not exactly sure I am retrieving my anchor on the Columbia safely, so given the recent safety threads I thought I would ask how it's properly done.  It seems the Hobies would have an easier time of this being able to run upriver and retrieve it by hand.

I've researched plenty of threads about putting together an anchor system, but have not found much on the retrieval part.  Thanks for your help.

OF

You said you've researched plenty of threads, but did you look over the one started by our local fishing nerd, bsteves? There's a ton of great anchoring/retrieval information within this thread and its been the forum "Go to" on anchor set ups for quite awhile. I know it saved myself and others a lot of frustration.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=2041.0

Anchor retrieval in heavy flows is one of the sketchiest things you'll do on a kayak.  Beware the bite!  If there's one most important thing to be aware of it's the potential for a loop of anchor line wrapping around you or anything on your kayak.

My procedure (right or wrong) consists of the following
- Check my safety knife
- Paddle upstream as far as I can before the anchor line is fully loaded (with tension)
- Pull as much scope in as I can before the line goes tight
    - Throw the anchor line back into the water so that it's safe to let go at any time
- Dislodge the anchor and retrieve the remainder of my anchor rope (throwing the loose line back in with each pull)
- Secure my anchor
- Reel up the anchor line on an electrical cord winder

I avoid filling my lap or the kayak with loose anchor line.  That would be a recipe for disaster.

If I need to dislodge the anchor by paddling, I'll catch the anchor line in my jam cleat so that I can disconnect at any point in the process.

Hope that helps.

-Spot-

I am not an expert, and I don't usually choose to anchor in deep water or fast current, but one safety item for me when pulling up is that I completely un-attach the anchor rope from my kayak when I begin pulling it up. This way if needed I can toss the whole mess overboard immediately.

Thanks, all.  The original bteves thread is great, but its from 2008.  Most of the content is about setup so definitely wanted to see what folks are doing these days.  Anchoring on the Columbia is clearly one of the most daunting aspects of kayak fishing for me.  I usually wait until the tide is near high if I can, but don't always have that luxury.

Spot, you should really write a book on all things kayak fishing if you have not already started!  thx

OF

...
- Throw the anchor line back into the water so that it's safe to let go at any time
- Dislodge the anchor and retrieve the remainder of my anchor rope (throwing the loose line back in with each pull)
- Secure my anchor
- Reel up the anchor line on an electrical cord winder
...

-Spot-

Awesome advice. 

I do it like Spot described, but not before I tried everything the wrong way...things could have gone bad in a hurry. 

I tried the pile the anchor line it in my lap trick (stupid), I tried the throw the anchor line off off the opposite side of the kayak (probably worse) and I also tried winding the line as I retrieve the anchor (way too hard and slow).  I am now always very careful to keep clear of the anchor line by throwing it back into the water on the same side that I'm retrieving the anchor from.