Canoe/drift sock

The drift sock will actually make you go faster????????

Right now your canoe is moving with the current and going slower than the current.  Wind on most creeks is always up stream, so the wind is slowing your down stream speed some what.

If you put in a drift sock, it will be in front of your and actually pull you faster until you are moving exactly with the current.

In small stream I use a drift anchor.  Usually a 4# steel mushroom with a 3/8 inch line.  I tie it thru  the rear eye.  IT MUST BE IN THE CENTER LINE OF THE BOAT OR IT WILL PULL YOUR CANOE UNDER IF IT BITES.   I find letting out 12 foot or so causes the anchor to drag and retard the canoe.  If you have a granite bottom or lots of rocks , you don't want to us it in a fast current.  As with all anchors in rivers with currents, keep the rope free to quickly untie if it bites and is pulling you under.  I like the 25 ft of yellow poly rope as if you do let it go the end of the rope floats and you can pick it up.  Don't buy a plastic coated anchor for this duty.  the dragging will eat of the plastic coat along the edge of the anchor in a day or so.  then the plastic coat will bring lots of sand into your boat.

Just thoughts

BEAR

The inflatables are very popular with eastern guys who fly out west and don't want to pay for a guide and river boat.  I fish with four or five that have them.  I think the trademark is Bag Boat"???

The guys wear waders and stop periodically to fish.  It is a good idea to have a small metal anchor on the side of the pontoon, for when you try to get off.  also should you be heavy, they can flip a little and the anchor then falls in the river and sets, so you don't need to run after it till it catches on a low willow.

If you fly then yoou can take a heavy mesh bag and some 1/8 inch nylon rope.  If yoou fill the bag with river rocks it makes a decent anchor and doesn't get your flying weight up.

BEAR

My one buddy has the 11 footer, he is just about your size.  while they are made to 'bag' his stays inflated and goes  into a pickup during fishing trips.

I've never fished them myself.  but the friends like the Bucks Bags.  I seem to remember there was one place on the float that rubbed, and they had to get some reinforing patches made.

It seems these guys also recommend a certain patch kit that lets you make a temporary patch and continue to fish the day.  Other patches use a glue that needs to dry for hoours and the material neeeds to be dry before you can start patching.

My buddies carry the Kirch's Kwik Patch:  http://www.absolutepatch.com/

Kirch owns and fishes a Buck Bag in Montana.

BEAR