I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dave's books and DVDS...
One simple way to anchor when there are no tie offs for a smaller dredge is tie to a milk crate and fill it with rocks.
Once you have an idea of where gold should be punch a small hole, see whats in the box. No gold move on, some gold clean the box move a little and repeat. Keep doping so until you have ground worth your time.
ratled