I like the center of the tarp high and I do not like carrying a pole so I run a rope over head to hold the center of the tarp up.  Other than that I string it much like DD’S with a ridge line running under the tarp. The center of the ridge line is held up by loops sown to both sides of the tarp. This does leave some tarp slack but I do not mind.
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My pleasure but wow, that's the nicest thing anyone has directed in my general direction for months w/o an obvious caveat and I've been providing this potluck for more than a dozen years now. There comes a time you get tired of those who forever consume w/o ever bringing a dish to pass. Think of the he share page as a local deli....

After two/three months into it ... there's no real difference. Most can get sort-of a picture by perusing the (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) and doing some math but my life is so much easier now w/o the extra eyes a day, I should have committed years ago. The indignant complaints tapered off after a week or two. What people need to keep in mind is that QJ is not an outfitter's tool. It's simply focused/real people sharing ways to do something they love a bit better - IMHO. Technology hasn't yet advanced to the point of smelling who loves it more but I can assure you someone's working on it.

What's really funny to me these days is that when I started this site, and I'd have to login with a username and password, it freaked me out thinking that the internet ... no, the whole world stopped cold waiting for me to enter the correct combination.

It's still a trip for me and as for QJ type subscribers and paddlers go, I do hope that both the words and and pictures they can find 'round here improve some trips.

For those of you who like a centerpole in your tarp set-up (that would be me) you will want to be careful of your centerpole losing its moorings and damaging your tarp.

I have a cooke custom sewing tarp which I think is first rate. They have a pocket configuration of sorts which "holds" or "grips" the centerpole. I was never quite satisfied with the arrangement as I have had it pop out several times. Fortunately I have caught it before damage was done.

I have hit on what I condsider an ideal solution which I will pass on. Rig as usual but then go to home depot and get a "velcro strap". They are widely available but easily overlooked. Sold in a set of 5 or 6 they are about 8" or so and have a slot where you can feed the velcro through the strap. It is infinitely adjustable and you can really get a bite around your center pole and the hook and loop closure system. Used it for 11 days during blustery conditions and it worked like a champ.

hmmm, The length of paracord run through the loops and spiraled down and staked off is what I had done in the past. I still had some issues with the pole coming out of the pocket. The velcro tie seems to remedy the problem quite nicely and stores well just by wrapping around the paracord. The ties will undoubtedly have some other applications as well. Check them out.