Paddling Education

Usually when we think of paddling a canoe we think of using a canoe paddle. But if you’re a canoeist who loves to head out alone, you may consider using a double-bladed paddle instead…

Bending Branches’ BB Special bent shaft paddle—our best selling wood canoe paddle—is designed for flatwater cruising. It provides great quality at a great value.

As the temperatures start to change, summer outdoor gear tends to be stowed away for the winter. Wondering what to do with your canoe and kayak paddles? 

Kayak Bass Fishing’s Chad Hoover covers how to load your fishing kayak on your vehicle in this video, with the help of his wife, Kristie.

Learning the most efficient strokes to propel the “boat” is part of it but for the paddling angler fooling the fish is close to the top of the list. Learning about your quarry is the key.

Here at Bending Branches we take great pride in designing and crafting our wooden canoe and kayak paddles. Our passion and attention to detail result in paddles we believe lead the industry in both beauty and performance.

Kayak angler and host of YouTube’s The Florida Bass Paddler, Bill Sikora talks about why he uses Branches’ Angler Pro kayak paddle in his pedal kayak.

For those of us who are generally in good health, we tend to think of health on wilderness canoe trips as it relates to emergency situations. “What will we do if someone gets injured?” But for those who live with ongoing health issues like diabetes, wilderness canoe tripping is a whole different ballgame.

With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, we wanted to give you 14 of our top gift picks for all the paddlers on your list! Whether your friends and loved ones canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board, you’ll find some great ideas here…

Photographer Ian Finch and his buddy, Jamie Barnes, recently embarked on a canoe trip into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Upon their return, Ian told us about their trip and shared with us some of his gorgeous pictures.

Dehydrating your own food for wilderness canoe trips is a great option if you have the desire and the time to do it.

Bending Branches’ ProStaffer, Chris Funk, fills us in on one of the most important gear items you need to keep in your fishing kayak—a First Aid kit.

Heading into the wilderness on a canoe trip in the fall conjurs up images of pristine lakes, dazzling fall colors, crisp mornings, warm campfires…and no bugs!…but there are safety considerations to keep in mind that don’t come into play during the summer months.

Chad Hoover, Kayak Bass Fishing host and Bending Branches ProStaffer, shares his heart in this short video about why kayak fishing is so special.

The most important skill any solo canoeist needs is to be able to control the canoe in all types of weather and water conditions.

As the weather cools down going into fall and then winter, the water temperatures drop, too. There are important safety considerations when you kayak fish in the winter.

Even the toughest paddles in the industry appreciate a little love. Here at Bending Branches, we know our paddles perform best when they receive the proper care. Here are a few tricks to keeping your paddle in tip-top condition for years of paddling adventures

Fall fishing in Tennessee is not only beautiful, but it's exciting! Early October in the south means cooler mornings, and leaves that are just starting to turn beautiful hues of gold and crimson. Early autumn also signals the time when...

Bending Branches ProStaffer, Careena Belnap, is an avid outdoors woman from Ontario, Canada. In this video she takes us through the gear she and her husband bring on their wilderness canoe trips.

Many anglers love the option of being able to fish out of their kayak from either a sitting or standing position. If standing is new to you, ProStaffers Gene Jensen and Chad Hoover have some tips in these videos…

A multi-day canoe trip is a unique wilderness experience that, like backpacking, means you pack your food wherever you go. Let’s look at your options for canoe trip food so you can make the best choices for your group and situation.