So, how do you mitigate? One, don’t overload the boat. Two pay attention to weight and balance issues. Be very cautious about dropping the rock in heavy flows where there is the potential for the anchor to stick before an appropriate amount of anchor line is out. I anchor in heavy water all of the time and have never had an issue, due in large part to paying attention to what has been described above. Additionally, rather than drop the rock immediately to the bottom at full speed, I will often grab a few hard oar strokes to slow my forward speed, slowly lower the anchor to the bottom, and then pay out line slowly until an effective scope/angle has been achieved, sometimes dragging the anchor on the bottom gradually and/or gradually transferring load to the anchor while paying out line should the rock stick immediately.
In a DB in small rivers, I like to avoid dropping the hook in heavy water.
Safety, anchor recovery and I don't want to tie up the passage or the meat of the run.
I look for easier water, that gives me access to prime water to drop hook into.
Also helps to eyeball the structure of the adjacent bank.....often the river bottom is the same. I try to avoid craggy stuff and look for freestone.
Still have my original, lead bodied Ramsey (Animal) anchor....crap, I hope I didn't just put the jinx on
I've seen 18" round bumpers completely submerged while anchoring power boats below Bonneville at the old deadline.
Bare minimum 350' anchor rope and big tined, break away anchors. Some carry 600'.
Rooster tail trying to form off the stern once you get a hold....might take a few tries.
Different class of anchoring, but the basic principles remain the same.
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