Paddling Education

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.

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).

If you want to kayak fish on moving water, you need to understand river flow and how it affects both paddling and fishing.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

One of the best and most popular day canoe trips in the Boundary Waters (BWCAW) is the trip to Stairway Portage and Rose Falls.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

Pedal fishing kayaks are surging in popularity. If you’re considering buying one, too, we thought you’d be interested in hearing what avid kayak anglers think about them.

Can you fish from a tandem kayak? Of course! Here are some things to consider if you like the idea of a tandem fishing kayak.

Day trips are a marvelous way to enjoy canoeing on local rivers and lakes. Whether you’re on the water for an hour or a full day, here are the most helpful accessories to make your day-long excursions comfortable and fun.

Aging doesn’t have to slow you down or stop your days of enjoying a boat trip either solo or with your friends and family. The key is to find ways to continue doing what you love without compromising health, safety, or comfort.

Bending Branches’ ProStaffer Jason Schall and his wife, Jennifer, kayak fish together regularly. In the fall of 2022 they took a dream fishing trip together to the Amazon River in Colombia, South America.