Lee Lock Anchor Systems
A Smooth Operating Anchor System for your River Boat

In rigging the new North River Scout with an anchor system I didn't hesitate to call the guys at Lee Lock Anchor Systems in Bellingham, WA (360-380-1864). Seeing Lee and Eric, owners of Lee Lock, constantly tweaking their anchor system on the local rivers made the choice a snap.  Hard core anglers themselves, they are always interested in making a day on the river a little easier. 

Lee Lock's patented anchor lock is the answer to the traditional jam cleat you'll find on most anchor setups.  Lift up on the lock to pay out line and either lower the angle of the anchor line or simply let it go and the lock immediately catches. 

Traditionally, jam cleats have been used to lock an anchor into place and hold it while motoring up and down the river.  If the grooves in the cleat wear out or the line isn't jammed into the cleat far enough you can kiss your anchor good bye.  In this scenario a little rough water is all it takes to shake the anchor loose and if there happens to be a knot in the end of the line, well, you now have a grappling hook hanging off the bow of your boat.  Not good!

This safety concern is where the Lee Lock comes in.  As long as there's tension on the line there is no chance of the anchor coming loose on it's own. 

Lee and Eric designed the lock to be used on smaller jet boats so that an angler fishing alone could pull and release the anchor from the stern of the boat without having to constantly walk forward to press line into a jam cleat.  The result, however, was an improved anchor system that could be used on any river boat.     

Lee and Eric also made improvements to my existing can system.  Instead of having to kick or push the can off the bow when the anchor is released they shortened the pivot point so that the can would tip immediately upon releasing the line.  This feature also ensures that there is constant tension on the anchor lock.

The can is held in the channel with a pin that is easily removed to allow the addition of a Columbia River anchor nest, making the entire system as versatile as possible.  The pin slides thru a UHMW bushing that allows the can to slide more smoothly and quietly as the anchor is being dropped or pulled and the UHMW runner pad also helps the can to slide on the channel when pulling the anchor. 

Lee Lock also makes what is perhaps the easiest driftboat anchor system in the world to use.  Using their patented locking mechanism all you have to do is drop the line when the anchor is up and you're back on the sticks immediately.  No more rushing to jam the line in the cleat before the boat hits the next rock downstream.   

Rob Endsley
Full Time Guide
Steelhead University Chief Instructor                                      

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