The only thing I tether is my paddle.  Rods I can handle losing if I turtle.  It just isn't fun trying to fish with a rope tied to the rod.  As far as tethering yourself to the yak, I've tried that too.  It makes me nervous for the reasons mentioned.   Here is what I recomend:  1)  Try not to  anchor in a current unless you have buddies with you to drag your butt out of the water if you fall out!  2)  Think in terms of preparing for what you will do in case you do get separated from your yak.  Wear clothes that will either keep most or all of the water out (drysuit or drytop/waders) or keep you warm when wet (wetsuit).  Carry a waterproof VHF radio and keep it attached to you, not laying in the crate behind you.  Carry a cellphone in a waterproof bag or container.  I bought some Aloksak waterproof bags at WRO that are just the right size for a phone.

Pete, I agree you have to be careful about anchoring in a strong current.  I can see how the 'planing' might happen if your anchor were snagged on a rock or something.  It would more likely happen if you have a yak with a blunt bow too. 

Tom

hiccup-delete this one too father. thanks

duplicate-cory delete this one?

Point taken there Josh, I'll have to admit having gone thru Aircrew  DWEST (Deep Water Environment  Survival Training) while in the Marine Corps and diving for three years in Hawaii all make me a bit more comfortable in the water.  But, I do say that even I could panic if the right situation presented itself.  This might be a good topic for the GURU to weigh in on.  Turn towards Yorktown, Bow your head and close your eyes and concentrate, lets all chant softly.

Oh great one, we need you.... VIC... where are you vic.  viiiiiccccc. He should appear... it worked before? 

Will you cover this in a later lecture vic....? 

Seriously... we all have an opinion, but we have a safety guy.  We shall look to him for guidance.

Great Discussion!!
(here we go, round 2 after loosing the first version of this...)

This topic has been around as long as paddlers have been discussing safety issues in parking lots, while cleaning fish, sitting on bar stools, and while cleaning seals and tanning hides!! Lots of great ideas have gone around, and lots of things to consider…there still is no CORRECT answer! With that said lets see how much I can confuse everyone …
(I am in no way the final say on this!!!)

I don’t know if this was started by the person that asked me about tethers by Chads Tarpon Sunday afternoon, but we did discuss more than just not to do it, which is my recommendation for people that are new to the sport until they understand the issues of entanglement (yes, people have been found dead, entangled in their capsized kayaks).  I did mention to the person I talked with about a few circumstances that tethers could be considered (long distance kayaking in open water by paddlers that have practiced with them), but for Kayak anglers body to kayak tethers are not usually a good idea. There has already been a lot of great info passed, the good and bad of tethers and leashes, and the importance of practice.

For Kayak Anglers using a paddle leash as Jim described is a good idea and very common for paddlers as a means of keeping contact with the boat and paddle. It’s still possible to let go if necessary, and entanglement is “Less” likely.

Thoughts to consider if using paddle leashes or body to boat tethers... 
    Do I always capsize in the same direction?  
    Will the leash be in the way while paddling, while fishing?
    Will I spin around in the water at all during capsize while looking for my “ball cap” creating an entanglement problem?
    How comfortable am I using a knife to cut myself free from something in the  water which I feel but can’t see, and it’s   
           holding me underwater?
     Have I practiced capsizing / re-entry with the tether / leash?
     Have I ever seen a body to boat tether in a kayak store? (could be someone’s chance to get rich…)

With that said, I don’t use a tether to the kayak or paddle, since that is a decision I’ve made I need to be prepared for the consequences of being disconnected from my boat, paddle, or both. The paddle is easy; I always carry a spare where it is easily accessible. For the boat I try to make it as easy as possible to maintain contact and practice that by using thigh straps which give me better boat control along with creating a large handle alongside the kayak, and something to grab ahold of to help in re-righting and re-boarding. For cockpit boats it’s easier, the cockpit takes place of the thigh straps and the perimeter lines are there to give something to hold onto. Practice helps! Paddlers that don’t practice sometimes kick away from the boat during the capsize as if the boat is something to get away from. It may sound unlikely but I’ve watched a lot more people hold onto their prized ball cap while kicking away from their boat during a capsize than hold onto their boat.  Since there is always a possibility of loosing contact with the Kayak (imagine swimming after a balloon caught in the wind) I also need to prepare for that by dressing for the water temp, carrying a VHF radio (we’ll discuss VHF vs Cell phones later!), flares, whistle and signal mirror in the PFD, filing a float plan, and paddling with a partner I hope can assist me if I get in trouble…this may sound a little like a dream world, but something we should strive for. This is what works for me, pick what works for you and PRACTICE it!!

There is a comment in Sea Kayaker Magazines book “Deep Trouble” that mentions that safety is 5 percent equipment and 95 percent skill (abilities and knowledge).

In a nutshell…
I would never use a tether or leash in whitewater or surf
I would never use a tether or leash in an area I could get pinned by current
  (ie fishing by a bridge piling or jetty where the kayak could be swept into the obstruction and the upstream edge of the kayak could be pushed underwater pinning the kayak against the piling)
If I use a body to boat tether I would make sure it can't tangle with anything on the boat that can hold me underwater during a capsize.
If I use a body to boat tether I would ensure it is long enough to allow me to exit my boat but not be so long I get tangled in it
I would carry a fixed blade or "safety" knife which I can easily get to with either hand

Cheers!!
Vic

"Get a good leash" 

Good advice Tom, both ARC and WRO sell the same one, a heavy braided affair, differing only by the logo appearing on the body of the leash.  With the thickness of this paddle leash compared to others, it secures the paddle, floats, and is very unlikely to cause entaglement due to the relative stiffness and ease with which it's nature allows you to pull it away from the body. 

"Fixed Blade Knife"

Should have a Blunt or dull point tip, with a serated edge designed to cut thru rope and line.  Do you really want to place a dagger edge next to your body?  I have several on the boat, used for cutting bait and the like, but one just for rescue, to be worn on the body.  One word of warning.... avoid lashing it on the lash point on the vest... save this for your strobe.  A knife lashed to this point will a) scratch the heck out of your yaks finish, especially if it's a sea yak, and b) likely to fall out if you lash it upside down.

"VHF radio"

Best advice and our next purchase.  Since we just started open water this year and need two.... we have made it a priority.  Either the ICOM series, or the Hummingbird's from Basspro.

Great job guys, and the Safety Section was a great idea all around.  Tina and I always make it a priority.

Jim

We live in Cumberland County, about an hour west of Richmond, just minutes away from Bear Creek Lake State Park.  Although we are about three hours from VA Beach....  I noticed from an earlier post that you live in Richmond as well.  The Central VA gang is getting larger....

Tina and I love our location though.l.. The good thing is this puts us about a half hour to forty five minutes from : Sandy River, Briery Creek, Three James River Landings (hmmm or more), Holiday Lake State Park, Twin Lakes State Park... and just 20 minutes or so from the Appomattox River Company main warehouse in Farmville.....   We would always welcome company for freshwater fishing... I am off rotating days since I work for DGIF, and I am also available for early morning fishing, I work evenings and don't have to leave for work most days til about 12:30 or 1:00.

In March it is mostly Tuesday and Wednesday and April it should be Wednesday and Thursday.

Jim

kayakangler@earthlink.net

Cell: 804-814-7149  You could hook up with Tina, Five-o and myself

Nope, we have really been wanting to float the james since we began kayak fishing more than two years ago, but until just recently, didn't have a shuttle partner in this area.  I think this summer is going to be a wild one.  I fished dutch gap two days before Christmas for striper and although we didn't catch striper, my partners did hook up with several cats.  I was happy just to be checking out such a cool location and filing it away for summer action.

Keep my phone number and direct email in mind and remember that I am mostly off on weekdays, although I will rotate thru weekends around june/july time period, unless they change the rotation for some reason.  I like having weekdays off, everything is LESS crowded that way.

We would be up for that Bucannon County float.. you betcha.  Sandy River and Briery are both good spots as well and I am looking forward to Dutch Gap in the spring, but bring a tarp big enough to cover your vehicle.  (Turkey Buzzards will eat the wipers and the rubber molding around the doors while you are gone.... no, really .. NOT kidding.....) There are hundreds that hang around the lot.  Really... Do I look like I am kidding?

Jim