Upper Russian 1/7 Achor testing, STD's and a jumper.

After a very brief anchor test last night, I couldn't wait to get on the water early this AM and try it out while fishing.  Unfortunately the clouds left and it was clear all night, which in Ukiah means chilly!  Really hard to get motivated to get wet when the yaks look like this...



Paddled up stream with the head light on...very cool.  Anchored up at the top of a fast run and the anchor held great.  I was able to pound this whole run with a Brad's Wiggler...unfortunately nada.



Pulled anchor and drifted downstream to a creek mouth.  This trib was blocked.  Bad for the fish...good for me!  Hoped they'd be stacked up in the clean water.



I fed a plug into the slot.  Nada.  Then a tap-tap...weird for a plug...then whammo...STD (Serious Take Down) but it didn't stick.  I ran it through a few more time.  Again the rod loaded and this time it was on!  The buck blew out of the water, I could see the bright red stripe of this colorful fish.  Yee-haw!  The fish then made a few runs and then a few more jumps...and then it was off.   Still damn exciting, but denied glory again.  Keeping constant tension is tough.  I will use a longer, more noodley rod from now on.

Worked a bunch more spots like this...



No love.  I did get a visit from a curious little mink that put a huge smile on my face.  Cute little bugger.  I'll continue to get this anchor thing figured, but it seems to be an ez way to target steelies from the yak.

Hey Swafish,
I'm curious, have you had problems with the boat swaying back and forth in the currents while anchored? Also, how does the keeled boat handle in the currents? I figured it wouldn't be the best handling thing. The water planes on it alot I would suspect...?

It sways a little, but nothing major.  Sometimes I would hold a willow branch when I needed it to stay totally still.

Sweet! Andy and I were on the Navarro River yesterday, we both got a hook-up, but no landings, unless you can count the 8" trout (I called it a baby steelhead). The IPA from Lemon's Market went down good after being on the river for about 6 hours.

I'm going to have to hook-up some type of anchor system on my yak too.

CHEERS!

Rodger.  You and Andy need to cover over and I'll make a few more.

You got any photos of this anchor system? Also, a little tip. I bring a single short handled paddle, (you could use a ping pong paddle) to counter some of the sway. You can still hold your rod and dip the paddle to stabalize. Very handy for still water too, when your working a cove and drifting. 

Thanks. I did a little paddle dipping and a small dip makes an amazing difference.

You got any photos of this anchor system?

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=6672.0

Nice job Sean, lot of big hot fish this year. We should have done the drift talked to a couple of guys that drifted from AV Bridge and they said they saw a lot of big fish rolling all the way down they lost 2 landed 1. Looks chilly I got up at 5 it was 44 degrees no jacket.

boat swaying back

IMO swaying is good when fishing plugs. The keel keeps swaying down kayak doesn't sway like my drift boat.

The swaying does move the plug around to cover more water...irregardless it was not a fishing issue.  It was cold.  When the sun finally crept over the trees my wading boots were steaming...yikes. 

Jonesz:  Here how the anchor rig looks all finished up...

Great report Sean, the river looks fabulous! I love seeing minks, their hard to spot, it takes a good eye for critters like that. Are there a lot of otters up there too? BTW it was sweating hot in Marin today, at least when I got out at the crack of 10.

 Sean
 wow!great Report looks like something i would love doing with you guys up there! i watch the football games today that weren't that good. something to look forward to
chef

Sean - you should sell the anchor mounts  I'd be interested in one 

Sean, I'm surprised you did not use your mini-x for a river drift.....do you think it would be a better yak to drift down the river?

Sean, are you fishing only while on the anchor, or are you doing any backtrolling, side drifting, boondogging, etc.?

How fast is the current that you guys are fishing on the Russian?

-Allen

Great report and photos.

I'm with Mooch - put a price tag on that anchor mount. 

 

Chef:  When your ready, I'll take you.  Otherwise get ready for a White family invasion in Feb.

Mooch and Abking:  I'll have to look into designing a universal one.  I just used the X-Factor because of the nice studs in two planes.  A Mini-X would be great for the river, much more maneuverable.

Allen:  Today I only fished on anchor as I am momentarily super tired of bait, bait rigs, and hungry willows. You could easily do most of the other techs though.  Especially side drifting and boon-dogging.  Besides my temporary aversion to bait, I am momentarily in love with the way these fish demolish the plugs.

The water speed varies.  But I anchored in some water that was quite fast, and it held amazingly well.  I was also amazed at how ez it was to go upstream with some simple eddie hopping.