Paddling Education

Canoeing Etiquette: At the Launch and On the Water
The canoeing world is full of wonderful people who love nature, love the water and enjoy being around others. If you remember to be considerate and respectful, you’ll have conquered 90% of canoeing etiquette.
Canoe Trailers: Where to Buy and DIY
Do you have two or more canoes you need to transport? You can either buy a canoe trailer or build one yourself. Here are some ideas…
We Asked Our Pro Team Where Their Favorite Local Kayak Fishing Spot Is
Since our National ProStaff and Ambassador team members are the kayak fishing experts, we wanted to find out where they love to fish in their own area.
The Role of Kayaks in Alaskan Subsistence Living
Bending Branches Ambassador Josiah Pleasant (and many of his fellow Alaskans) lives a “subsistence” life most of us think disappeared 100+ years ago. Josiah shares with us why that is, and how kayaking plays a role.
Top Kayak Fishing Spots in Europe
Bending Branches ProStaffer Dennis Kieselhorst shares his favorite kayak fishing destination in his native Germany as well as other top spots in northern Europe. If you’re one of the growing number of European kayak anglers out there, these will give you some great ideas…
The Best Canoeing in Scotland
Bending Branches ProStaffer Will Copestake has canoed all over his native Scotland. Here, he lets us in on what he believes are Scotland’s best canoe destinations.
PFDs for Kayak Fishing: What Do You Need?
Besides a kayak and a paddle, the other non-negotiable kayak fishing item you need to be on the water is a PFD—a Personal Flotation Device (commonly known as a life jacket).
Kayak Fishing Tips: Understand River Flow
If you want to kayak fish on moving water, you need to understand river flow and how it affects both paddling and fishing.
When to Use an All-Carbon Canoe Paddle (and when not to)
An all-carbon canoe paddle is your best option for many canoeing environments. But it’s not your top choice for others. How do you know if you should add an all-carbon paddle to your collection?
Which Fish Finder to use Kayak Fishing?
Many kayak anglers like to use a fish finder so they can see water depth, major structure and some of the fish that are in range. We asked a few of our Ambassadors and ProStaff to tell us about their favorite fish finder.
How to Portage Your Canoe & Gear on Wilderness Trips
Portaging is part of canoe tripping in most wilderness destinations. Canada’s vast wilderness areas like the Quetico, America’s Boundary Waters and others like them offer many opportunities to carry your boat(s) and gear over land to the next body of water.
Which Canoe Paddle is Best for Recreational Paddlers?
Here at Bending Branches even our most affordable canoe paddles are handcrafted with care and made to last for years. These five wood models are ideal for recreational canoeists who want a beautiful, well-made paddle that won’t break the bank.
Comparing Branches’ Angler Pro and Angler Ace
Bending Branches ProStaff team member Chris Funk and his wife Angie compare our Angler Pro and Angler Ace kayak fishing paddles side-by-side in this video…
Should You Use a Motor on Your Fishing Kayak?
Three of Bending Branches’ Ambassadors join us to offer their perspective and advice on the pros and cons of using an electric motor with your fishing kayak.
Day Canoe Trip to Stairway Portage & Rose Falls
One of the best and most popular day canoe trips in the Boundary Waters (BWCAW) is the trip to Stairway Portage and Rose Falls.
The Best Canoe Trip Portage Packs
Choosing canoe packs will be a one-time purchase for most people if done correctly. Quality packs that are well-cared-for will do their job and last many, many years—even decades.
How to Properly Use a Bent-Shaft Canoe Paddle [Video]

Bent shaft canoe paddles have been around for a long time now, but many novice and recreational canoeists don’t know how their performance is different from a straight shaft paddle, or how to use one properly.

Kayak Fishing South Florida’s Exotic Species
Bending Branches Ambassador, Bill Sikora, has been a South Florida resident for several years and loves to kayak fish some of its exotic species. Here, he shares his experience and expertise with other anglers who also want to fish those waters.
Ocean Kayak Fishing Safety
Bending Branches’ Ambassador Moo Lee takes us through several important safety tips for kayak fishing on the ocean, especially on cold water like in his native northern California.
Kayak or Canoe: Which Option Suits You Best?
Recreational paddlers might wonder whether they should invest in a kayak or canoe, at least as a first boat. Here are some questions to ask yourself in order to make the best choice for you…
Wilderness Canoeing with Your Kids
We believe it’s essential to pass on our love of canoeing—especially wilderness canoeing—to our kids. Not only because they’ll be the next ones to protect those wilderness areas, but because these times are transforming for them.