Anyone have a suggestion on where a guy might pick one up? Is it preferable to have a couple of them (one for each end) to stabilize the canoe?

I don't know where you are located, but I think I just picked up my last one at Galyans, but I can't recall what its origional purpose was for (it wsan't as a canoe anchor). Something to do with general boating or scuba possibly? Sure beats portaging an anchor! ;)

Piragis carries them in their catalog. You could call and check if they have them in their store if you're entering around Ely. I think I saw them in a store in Grand Marais last year. I can't remember the name of it but it's down towards the point on the north side Broadway.

Jim

I have purchased mesh bags at both Midwest Mountaineering and at Pirigas. I generally use only one anchor and swing across structure vertical jigging. Two anchors will stabilize both ends of the canoe when you are on the spot on the spot. The only real caution when using two anchors is to be aware of what the wind is doing and how the waves are coming at the canoe. Anchored or paddling I try not to take waves broadside. This is even more vital if you are in current. Good luck, have fun.

Spring Creek (from Mountain Iron, MN) makes a great plastic mesh anchor bag.

We use them in our outfitting and they are very handy and last quite a while.

A metal ring on the rope which is on the bag can be tugged over to the other side of the bag if it gets stuck in the rocks/mud/whatever and it helps get it unstuck!

They also have velcro to close them which makes it easy.

Use a basketball net.

$2.49 at Wal Mart.

Windlaker,
I like your idea and it fits in my budget. I think I will pick up a couple this weekend. Thanks for the idea.
canoe42

An even better idea might be to check at a super market and see if they have any onion bags, or orange bags... they work well too. Or what I use is a mesh bag that came with 6 softballs... if you look around log enough you will find a useable solution without having to pay an arm and a leg... I have used the same bag for 3 years now...

Bruce

I have used the basketball net-inexpensive, can be made to open wide and yet securely close and easy to empty out at each portage landing. One thing about BWCAW-you usually have no trouble finding rocks for the bag.

I should add I only use rock ballast while soloing and without alot of gear in the canoe.

While travelling solo with my packs I do not need ballast. I have two packs along-my gear pack with tent, clothes, sleeping bag etc which sits directly behind me, and my food pack which has food stoves, rain gear etc which goes in the bow and can be adjusted if I need help with trim. I also have a thwart bag directly in front of me with water, emergency gear, my map and miscellaneous small stuff (GORP, sunglasses, chapstick, hand lotion etc,)

On day trips with less ballast because my packs are back at camp, it is nice to have a rock bag available if conditions require some additonal bow ballast. I find ballast is usually only required in one end and most often it is the bow. I provide plenty of ballast myself (230 lbs) for the center to rear.

I have used a basketball net for several years. It works really slick. Tie one end of the net with high strength fishing line and then use a caribiner on the end of a line to enclose the other end. Fast just fill with rocks and a few clips with the carabiner and go.

I bought my net this weekend at Wally World for $2.98. Can't wait to try it out.

canoe42