Paddling Education

Paddle and Portage: A Media Company Anchored by the Boundary Waters
Paddle and Portage is a media company with offices in Grand Marais and Ely, Minnesota—Boundary Waters country. And while the company is new (founded in January 2024), its owners bring decades of media experience and canoeing love to its audience.
Small Modifications Can Improve Your Kayak Fishing
You can make small modifications to your fishing kayak to customize your gear exactly the way that serves you best. Whether you’re new to kayak fishing or you’ve been on the water for many years now, we can always learn from each other.
Growing Into Kayak Fishing, with Luis Delgado
A member of our ProStaff team, Luis Delgado discovered kayak fishing as a way to explore and fish in places he’d only dreamed of, even though his family faced financial hardships. Now, he’s been able to turn his passion into his job.
29 Canoeing Books for Your Reading List
Canoe tripping offers incredible adventure, stunning scenery and an opportunity to face our own strengths, weaknesses and perspectives in ways not possible in our everyday lives. Here’s a collection of wonderful books about real-life canoeing adventures by the folks who lived them.
Winning Kayak Fishing Tourney Set-Up
Bending Branches ProStaffer Drew Gregory is 2024’s Bassmaster Kayak Series Champion. Here’s his tournament set-up to give you ideas for your next tourney or simply for a productive fishing day on your local lake or river.
Canoe Camping: Bear Safety

If you canoe camp in bear country—which includes much of North America and parts of Scandinavia—you need to understand and follow bear safety to protect you, your group and the local bear population.

How Bending Branches Stacks Up in this Paddle Review
We appreciate all the independent reviewers who give their honest opinions about paddling gear, including our own products.
Retailer Highlight: Ozark Mountain Trading Company, Arkansas
Ozark Mountain Trading Company (OMTC) is a family-owned paddlesports retailer based in northern Arkansas that’s celebrating its 20th year in business in 2024.
How to Choose a Family-Friendly Canoe Destination
When it comes time to introduce your kids to canoeing or kayaking, here are a few suggestions so your chosen destination goes toward a fun and memorable experience for everyone
What If Your Inflatable Fishing Kayak Pops a Leak?
What would you do if your inflatable fishing kayak popped a leak while you were out on the water? Bending Branches Pro Team member Chris Funk answers that question for us in a couple of recent videos.
Build a Paddling First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is something you hope you won’t need on a paddle trip. But you’ll sure be glad to have one along if you do.
A Good Read: “Gunflint Falling: Blowdown in the Boundary Waters”
Canoeists everywhere—especially wilderness canoeists—will appreciate reading Gunflint Falling: Blowdown in the Boundary Waters by Cary J. Griffith. It'll hit home, whether we’ve been anywhere near that type of event or not.
Kayak Fishing Safety on the Ocean: Swell and Wind
Pro Team member Moo “MooMoo” Lee has kayak fished on the ocean off the coast of California for over a decade. Here he shares valuable tips about swell and wind waves while fishing.
Is Your Canoe Camping Environmentally Friendly?
Canoe camping is a marvelous way to enjoy wilderness areas, rivers and parks. How can we help protect these areas from negative human impact for future generations of canoeists?
The Key Role of Continual Innovation
Bending Branches’ mission is to inspire meaningful outdoor experiences by offering premium products worth bragging about. Having an innovation mindset plays a vital role in carrying out that mission.
Independent Retailer Spotlight: The Complete Paddler (Ontario, Canada)
The Complete Paddler (TCP) has been North America’s largest paddlesports shop since 2005. Its Toronto headquarters is just minutes from Lake Ontario and just a couple of hours from some of Canada’s best canoeing destinations.
How to Kayak Fish with Your Pooch
Bending Branches Ambassador Casey Ryan loves to kayak fish and loves to be with his dogs. It’s only natural that he brings his dogs along on his fishing kayak when he can. He has tips for you too, if you’d like to try to bring your 4-legged friend fishing.
How to Find Canoe Trip Options Close to Home

If you’re new to canoeing, new to your area, or simply ready for a new adventure, there are several avenues you can explore to find the best canoe trip options close to you.
Even if You Rent Canoes, Buy Your Own Paddle! Here’s Why
If you love canoeing but prefer to rent canoes, it’s still absolutely worthwhile to invest in buying your own canoe paddle. There are several reasons for that…
6 Top Canoe Destinations in North America

Naming the 6 top canoe destinations is sort of like naming the 6 best ice cream flavors. It depends who you ask!

Here’s our list of 6 top canoe destinations in North America…

Independent Retailer Spotlight: La Maison du Canoë, France
La Maison du Canoë is a canoe and kayak shop that serves paddling enthusiasts of all skill levels in beautiful southeast France.