Caper anchor drift bracket

I could not find a suitable drift anchoring system to buy for the used caper I bought for the rivers. There are no flat surfaces to mount anything on the back end of the caper. Definetly not designed for anchor plates as with some of the new trident series Ocean Kayaks. So after thinking and pondering for weeks I came up with this. It was challenging and rewarding. First I bought some 1 inch by 1/4 inch flat stock made of aluminum. The anchor pulley bracket is 3"by 24inches by 1/2 inch. I formed the 1 inch stock using a vice and an anvil with a 3 pound hammer. I kept forming until the two cross pieces comformed to the shape of the hull on the Caper. I fitted the 3 pieces together and used some temporary fasteners to hold them in place while I did the final forming. I then cut 1 hole so the back part of the top plate would rest on the apex of the hull topside. Another hole for the t-handle to go through. I finally cut the elongated hole to recieve the pulley and one eye bolt for guidance of the line. Not an easy job but if I can do it you can too. Craig

Very nice Craig.  I'm still using a PVC (ABS actually) anchor bracket based on an old Mickfish prototype on my Caper. 
Your's looks much cleaner.

How did you find the Caper for river running?  Personally, I'm glad I've held on to my Caper for steelhead fishing.

We went backwards for almost 8 miles and it was fine. When they first told me we were going to drift backwards I thought that Allen was BSing me. NOT. I did fine and that  boat is real stable. I never felt in danger and it tracked quite well. Craig

Backwards?  Why? I can't think of a fishing technique that would require to drift backwards.  Is it just because you have better control against the current backwards?  I do know that I spent a lot of time on the river slowing myself down by paddling backwards, but I was always facing forward.

WE drifted backwards with our poles in rod holders facing to the bow.Pretty interesting. When the fish hit we would reach forward grab the rod and then fight the fish. Effective. except for looking backwards all the time.. well almost 

 
  Sweet set up Craig and it did the job!
 
   Basically we are trying to match the rhythm of the sinker bouncing on the bottom without dragging the bait, especially when you are doing a side drift. Find the section you want to fish, turn your kayak upstream and let it match the speed of the current before casting into into the sweet spot and paddle to match the bouncing weight. I find it near impossible to face down stream and keep your bait out ahead or to the side of you especially with fluctuating flows/depths.
  Safety wise as you drift backwards we keep the front of the kayaks pointed away from danger such as  strainers, logs or shallow spots. Seems to work for us....
   

Ah boondogging, got it.  I've done a bit of that in the kayak, but always just held the rod in my lap and paddled backwards to track with the current.  I can see how facing backwards might be easier.  Thanks for the tip.

Brian

Talk about a professional job on the drift anchor system. Very nice!

Jedmo

I tried a 5 pound anchor in the Russian last Sunday and I think I need to bump up to an 8. I was  holding steady but feeling not really bit in. At one point just the tension from reeling in made the anchor slip a bit.

     Here is one of Craig's drift anchors at work

Hi Craig.
If you need  quickly release the anchor, how you do it?
Santiago.

If you need  quickly release the anchor, how you do it?
Santiago.

You realease the rope from the cleat and dump the whole thing (rope and anchor)

Nice job on the drift anchor bracket Craig.  I need to make one for my Fish & Dive so I can go out and river fishing with you guys 

I need to make one for my Fish & Dive so I can go out and river fishing with you guys 

Heres one I fab up for my fish and dive a while ago, its like a lot of the other cobra anchor set ups.Heres a run down of the material list, its about 5' of 1" tube (FREE) , 3 (ss eye bolts $2.15 ea.),3 (j bolts $1.50 ea.), pulley ($8.00), welded threaded insert w/ 1"x1" flat stock $2.50 (at the end for one of the eye bolts), and 2 plastic end caps( $.75ea).  It works like a champ fast or slow water.