Paddling Education

Wisconsin Hero Outdoors: Connecting Vets & First Responders to the Outdoors

Wisconsin Hero Outdoors serves Wisconsin military veterans, first responders and their families by connecting them to the outdoors and outdoor activities…

A Folding Canoe? Yes! Here are Your Options

You may or may not have ever heard of folding canoes—but they’ve been around since the 1970s. They may be a great option for you! Here’s the scoop…

Our Whisper Kayak Paddle Awarded “Top Pick”

Bending Branches’ Whisper kayak paddle has been one of the best-selling kayak paddles in the world since 2013—and now has an award behind its name…

Knot Right TV: Kayak Fishing in America’s Backwaters with Chad Hoover

Knot Right Kayak Fishing follows Chad Hoover on backwoods adventures to waters where power boats can’t reach, along with tips and tricks for you…

Don’t Ever Do These Things in a Kayak

Yak Motley brings us five things you should probably never do in a kayak—specifically when fishing from a kayak in the ocean…

Boundary Waters Canoe Record Shattered

Two Minnesota men broke the “Kruger-Waddell Challenge” speed record—a 200+ mile canoe route through Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters—by more than 10 hours…

#1 Frustration-Reducing Item You Need for Kayak Fishing [Video]

Chad and Kristie Hoover let us in on their #1 gear pick to reduce your frustration when kayak fishing…

The Complete Guide to Our Canoe Paddle Grips

Bending Branches’ canoe paddles are made with a variety of grip designs. Each design  functions in a slightly different way. Here’s your complete guide to understanding canoe paddle grips…

Fishing the Llano River Near Mason, Texas (Ranch Road 2389)

One of my favorite rivers to fish is the Llano River. I have paddled and fished several different sections, with my primary destination being the South Llano River near Junction, Texas. For this trip, I decided to try out a new location where the James River and Llano River become one.

Kayak Fishing the Lower Florida Keys [Video]

What happens when a group of pro anglers hits the Lower Florida Keys for some kayak fishing? Find out in this video…

Growing Old Together: A Canoeist and His Paddle

Minnesota canoeist, Roy Erickson, has used the same Bending Branches paddle for almost 30 years on his trips into the Boundary Waters and Quetico…

Canoe Paddle Grip: Finished or Unfinished?

While some canoe paddle manufacturers offer paddles with an unfinished paddle grip, here’s why Bending Branches only offers paddles with a finished grip…

 

A Wilderness Canoe Trip in Canada’s Algonquin Provincial Park [Video]

Canoeist and filmmaker, Jason Eke, brings us into Canada’s beautiful Algonquin Provincial Park on a wilderness canoe trip, along with his son, Noah. Let’s tag along…

Kayak Fishing Etiquette: To Do or Not To Do?

When we posted that question to our ProStaff and Ambassador Facebook groups, we realized we hit a sore spot! Here’s what our experts say about kayak fishing etiquette…

Canoe Tripping and Life Lessons

If you’ve been on multi-day canoe trips, you likely know something about how canoe tripping can teach you many life lessons. It doesn’t even have to be a long trip—like across Canada or on the entire Northern Forest Canoe Trail…

How Canoeing Makes You Healthier

Ask anyone who canoes and they’ll tell you: Yes, canoeing has made me healthier! It’s not just fun, but can contribute to deep-down health and vitality…

 

Retailer Spotlight: Appomattox River Company

Appomattox River Company has been serving paddlers in Virginia since 1977. They’ve since grown from one location to three, and have supplied customers as far away as Australia…

ProStaffer of the Month: Justin Powell

Our ProStaffer of the Month for March 2019 is Justin Powell—kayak fly fishing angler, conservationist and musician. Let’s meet Justin…

What’s Your Favorite Thing about Kayak Fishing?

We asked this question of our Facebook fans recently: What’s your favorite thing about kayak fishing? Here's what they told us…

A Trip to the South Llano River - Post Flood Condition

In October of 2018 Texas was hit with a tremendous amount of rainfall. Due to the massive amounts of rain, rivers were rushing far beyond their capacity and reached historic levels. Damage was very extensive, many homes were lost, bridges were destroyed and rivers were also damaged.

The Source Runs North: A Canoe Trip across Canada

Six men will embark on a four-month canoe expedition during the summer of 2019. Their aim is to travel 2,800 miles across Canada. Here’s their story…