Thanks for the awesome replies. Great advice, I appreciate it. I will admit to a very high risk tolerance(given high rewards), which has served me well throughout life, both in my career as well as my recreation, and I can also see how others who are risk averse can see my diving as insanity. Both are equally correct accordingly.
This dive is common around here with most of the locals, and the real shocker is that (at least in this circle) this type of diving is not thought of as particularly dangerous,. Before actually trying it, I didn't get a warning from any of numerous friends and relatives that dive, nor was I informed of just how dangerous it is. I think I was aware of the risks, I guess as well as one could given a particular set of skills and experience( I have been swimming in this river for 35 years), so I did take it slow to start (basically doing nothing but devoting all attention to structure and mental discipline).
I will say that, as some of you guessed was inevitable, I have been tested at high levels while doing these dives, I have been forced to deal with stressful situations that would induce panic with many, I have been hung up several times, forced to remain calm and solve the problem by (so far) calmly walking myself back to the point of anchorage to free up. One of the best lessons I learned was how easy one can lose focus if distracted. I was attempting to take time out on the bottom with my knee leveraged against a rock in order to re-secure my snorkel which I had inadvertently ripped off the mask while adjusting it. While doing this, a nice walleye stopped to say hello and because of a lack of mental discipline/focus, I immediately switched from gear adjuster to walleye staulker and sub-consciously dropped the snorkel when grabbing the speargun, only to realize immediately afterward. Stupid? Maybe. Valuable lesson...most certainly. I understand those who will disagree, but I choose to look at those moments as valuable blessings and teachable moments.
I might agree that because of my lack of experience, it was too soon to subject myself to those tests, and looking back, had I truly known or been informed of the degree of difficulty, I don't think I would have tackled it so soon. So please excuse me for that. Yet, what is done is done.
I also feel blessed to have found this wonderful forum. Dr. Lecter, thanks for the great reply, and thanks also to you others who are clearly fighting the need to attack me as the embodiment of idiocy. I am listening and I think most of what Dr. Lecter said is right on, I need to clean up the gear and build the needed redundancy. I also agree regarding the flag. It's purpose is to be a signal to boaters to stay away, yet for that benefit one is forced to deal with numerous additional risks, and the risks outweigh it's benefit. I do have one of those blow up and release type bobbers that would work great for ascent. I need to think on it, but given the hang up risks associated with the rope and flag, I think you are right about ditching it. I think the smartest thing to do for now is to only dive that stretch out of a boat, rather than solo from shore. That way the legal risk would be negated by the addition of the boat flag.
Thanks again.
PS. Speaking of redundancy....I am here in order to learn 'what I don't know'. Also, Wookie, I'm more of a forgiveness rather than permission guy. Thanks for the advice though.