Another drift anchor set up

A member of NWKA recently put an article together for an interesting way of setting up a drift anchor rig. Just thought I'd post for those interested.

Z

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=28

Thanks for sharing Zee!  Gotta put a nice drift anchor together, been running a ghetto set-up on the mini-X!

Thanks for sharing Zee!  Gotta put a nice drift anchor together, been running a ghetto set-up on the mini-X!

You better hurry up

Heh, heh Mike!  She's functional, just ain't too pretty!  AR-tested!  Ready for some RR eagles and chrome!  When we going? 

John yesterday I was up by the big rocks above my place anchored up baitfishing the eddy behind one of the rocks heard a small splash behind me and there was a 12" Squawfish on the top having some problems I turned away a few minutes later I heard a swoosh and splash turn and there goes the Baldy with the little fella in his talons. Saw him roosted in a tree little later but he flew off everytime I got close enough. I've been seeing another big  Eagle but he stays way up he looks bigger than the Baldie I got a shot but he is pretty far away can you ID from just the shape. I'll post it later

Mike - Nice eagle encounter! The eagles seem to be increasing in numbers in Sonoma Co. and on the RR. Might need to start thinking about control efforts before they start eating those coho!

Post up the pic and we can take a look. Might be able to ID at a distance depending on how much we can see. Balds tend to give the impression of having large heads at a distance because of their heavy bills. Can be some pretty good size variation within eagles. Females are larger than males in general, so you can get an impression of a big difference in size if your comparing a "small" male with a "large" female. 

Sometimes their plumage can also influence your impression of size. Balds have a 4-5 year plumage, meaning they attain their adult plumage in 4-5 years. The adults are very distinctive with the white head and tail, and the brown body.  In their first year they are all brown other than some white distributed in specific locations on the underside of the wings (wingpits, white line extending out on center of underwing on each wing). From years 2-4 they go through plumages referred to as the "white-belly" phase. During this time they have largely white bellies and brown and white splotches over much of the body and on the wings - often looks like they lost a paintball fight. They still have white in the wingpits and the white line extending on the underside of each wing during this period.  One key field mark for identifying balds from golden eagles is this unique distribution of white on the underwing in 1-4 year old birds. 

Golden eagles also have a 4-5 year plumage. The adults are pretty much all dark brown with a golden nape/back of head area. All juvenile plumages are similar to the adult except that they have bright white patches at the base of the tail and a patch at the base of the outer flight feathers on each wing.  The white is most widespread in first year birds and all 3 areas "shrink" with each successive plumage until reaching the all dark adult plumage.

One thing to watch for is that the golden nape on a golden eagle can appear white at a distance on both flying and perched birds when the sun reflects off it - sometimes causing folks to misidentify it as an adult bald. Just remember that the adult bald has a full white head and white tail, while the adult golden is pretty much all dark except for the golden nape.

Always some uncommon variation to the norm but these are key field marks for IDing and aging eagles. I'll see if I can dig-up some drawings or images to post that show these field marks. It's pretty straightforward once you see the comparisons.

Thanks John soon as we get a little more water you gotta come up.

The eagles seem to be increasing in numbers in Sonoma Co. and on the RR. Might need to start thinking about control efforts before they start eating those coho!

I can see Joe applying for a permit to shoot a Baldie to save a fish


Sorry for the Jack Z tell your friend that instead of J bolts I cut eye bolts just enough to fit over the padeye then put a small piece of plastic hose on them that slides to fill in the eye after attaching to the padeye that way your bolts don't fall off.

Mike - I'm off to work but will download those pics and take a look.  My computer is starting to crash and I may be down for awhile for repairs.

Looking forward to fishing with you. I'm planning on coming in February to stay at my friends place in Caz for a few days once when we get some more water.  Talk to you soon.

Z - sorry for the jack as well!

    Working on a prototype  river anchor set up. My hopes are to be able to use the rudder functions on the slower stretches of a river. I am not sure about the extended length causing issues??  Should be mounted for testing soon.

Very interesting Oto. Looking forward to the finished product.

Z

2-26 progress....?

Looking very cool. So I'm guessing that the rudder can't be pulled up completely with this setup?

Z

  Your are right Zee....only about 90% as we want to be sure the rudder would not get in the way of an emergency  anchor rope release.  I am toying with the idea of an additional offset to lower the pulley height. I am thinking of  putting this one on the Outback and building another one out of a wine barrel slat for a cool wood finish.....

Damn, Allen that is one sweet looking set-up. Can you design one for my OC caper. Money is no object. You look like you have major fabricating talents. With an artistic flair I might add!