There's nothing to be worried about with the hoglines. It's the polite thing to do, actually, and will teach you things about where the fishing are coming through, as well as tactics. The fishing is easier if people are lined up, rather than spread around, as when you get a fish on, you have room to fight the fish. Don't anchor just below a line, unless you want to meet people under unfavorable conditions. 150 yards is about right for the spacing.

Just pull the sea anchors in before the fish gets close to the boat. I do this after we've drifted out, as it helps the boat get downstream of the line quickly, especially if there is an upstream wind.

To anchor safely into a hog line, pull up next to the boat you're going to anchor next to, and get your boat parallel to him. Note a point upstream directly ahead of your bow, and motor towards that point. About 10 boats length upstream, drop your anchor off the side away from your neighbor to be. Let the rope slide through your fingers, keeping a bit of tension, until you feel the anchor hit. Steer the bow a bit out from the line below, put the boat in neutral, and let the current pull the line from your hands. Don't let a lot of line belly into the current - make the current pull you downstream.

When you get close to the line, slow your boat with the motor and tighten on the line. Kick it into neutral and hold for a second, and see how the boat settles on the anchor. If it's the right spot, ease out the rest of the line until you're in your spot.

The key etiquette point in the hogline is how close you are to boats beside you and above you. A lot of folks are *****ly about somebody's boat beling right next to them. Look at the gap that is already there, and aim for at least that much, until you get to know people. I'm personally fine with 10 feet, but some folks get nervous with less than 30. If you settle in close, pull up the rope manually until you get to the anchor, lift 10 more feet of rope manuallly, steer the boat a boat length further out, and drop it again.

Keep the line under tension, the engine running, and the bow angled away as you're bakcing down, and you'll be fine.