Another anchoring question

So I know there are threads on this, and I have read them.  bsteves has a great anchor system that I could use for salmon this spring and fall.  My question is...is it really necessary.  I am not going to be hoglining up simply because with a paddle yak, I cant play a fish, and stay out of anhor lines.  I am not going to be going after sturgeon.  I think I could use something that will anchor directly off the bow or stern for different scenairos, but I am not sure I need to do this.  Thoughts?  I am mainly thinking about salmon here.   

You certainly don't have to anchor up in a hog line, but if you are planning to fish from a kayak on anchor in the river you'll want to be on a quick release anchor system much like the one BSteves demonstrated.   There are several variations of it, but all work about the same. 

The reason for the quick release is so you can quickly break free from the anchor system (letting it stay put via bouy), so you can fight the fish.  As for a safety aspect, if a log or other debris comes down the river and finds your anchor line you really want your system to let you off the hook quick.  If you are hard tied to your anchor when a big log runs up on your anchor line, you will NOT be able to get it free shy of cutting it loose with a knife. 
And that is if you have time before it pulls your kayak tip down with the anchor and sends you swimming.

If you are NOT anchoring for salmon, steelhead, or sturgeon, I am assuming the the type of fishing you are envisioning anchoring for is trout and pan fish on lakes and ponds.  If I am right, then you could easily get by with tying off to the handle next to you.  I do this on lakes all the time. In fact, I do not bring my river anchor system with me. I just bring about 30-50 feet of rope and a small claw anchor. I clip it to my kayak handle.  If you are on any kind of moving water, just as Insayn said, you need a quick release, or good life insurance and ideally, a living will. 

Giant Carabiniers work great in the lakes with a small float you can unclip and move around easy.

You certainly don't have to anchor up in a hog line, but if you are planning to fish from a kayak on anchor in the river you'll want to be on a quick release anchor system much like the one BSteves demonstrated.   There are several variations of it, but all work about the same. 

The reason for the quick release is so you can quickly break free from the anchor system (letting it stay put via bouy), so you can fight the fish.  As for a safety aspect, if a log or other debris comes down the river and finds your anchor line you really want your system to let you off the hook quick.  If you are hard tied to your anchor when a big log runs up on your anchor line, you will NOT be able to get it free shy of cutting it loose with a knife. 
And that is if you have time before it pulls your kayak tip down with the anchor and sends you swimming.

Yeah, that.

Quick release for sure...thats a no brainer.    I will be trolling for salmon but this only works on incoming tide. Once it starts going out, It is time to anchor. Maybe I will put a system together and see if I use it. 

Quick release for sure...thats a no brainer.    I will be trolling for salmon but this only works on incoming tide. Once it starts going out, It is time to anchor. Maybe I will put a system together and see if I use it.

The upside of once you have an quick release anchor system put together and get comfortable using it, you may find yourself targeting Dinos.  Even just for fun, and no retention.

I dont think I will use a trolley....seems like more hastle thanits worth out here.  Probably put a cleet fore and aft.  Put a jamb cleet at my right hip, rope from bow/stern to cleet, ss biener on anchor line/reel/float.  Much like BSteves system.   

Since were all still here...if one were to anchor up for salmon in the Columbia.  Face up stream or down stream?  Both seem to have merit.