Paddling Education

Backcountry canoe camping is a pretty amazing way to spend a few days. You always have a lakeside campsite. You can fish, swim, relax. You can paddle from site to site or stay in one spot.

Let’s look at some of the weather hazards canoeists and kayakers may encounter, especially if you’re in remote or wilderness areas with no chance of getting to shelter.

We asked our ProStaff team to let us know what their favorite kayak fishing podcasts are so we could pass those suggestions on to you.

Let us introduce you to some of the women on Bending Branches’ ProStaff team, in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022.

In this second part of filmmaker Jason Eke’s 2-part series “Master the Canoe” for beginning paddlers, he discusses the topics of loading your gear, canoe safety, how to choose a paddle and the most important paddle strokes.

Here at Bending Branches we’re passionate about getting people out on the water. All people—no matter their age, ethnicity, size or shape.

Touring kayaks are designed to fit the body of a kayaker in specific ways for the best kayaking experience. In this video our friend Dan Arbuckle, from California’s Headwaters Kayak, takes us through how to adjust the fit of your touring kayak.

The majority of my canoeing experience has been with kids. I grew up at camp, then became a camp counsellor, and eventually a canoe guide. I spent the prime summers of my youth canoeing with kids. So today I hope to provide some tips and direct you to some resources that will help you gain the knowledge and confidence needed to take your own kids - regardless of age - on their first canoe trip.

Bending Branches ProStaffer Chad Hoover offers kayak fishing anglers another helpful video on his YouTube channel: tips on how to manage your paddle when you’re hands are busy fishing.

Filmmaker Jason Eke has canoed most of his life. With this video he begins a 2-part series for beginners on how to canoe. Since he records the video while he’s in the boat, viewers get to see some beautiful Canadian wilderness along with the instruction.

Ensuring that our canoe, kayak and kayak fishing paddles are of the highest quality is our top priority here at Bending Branches. Our definition of “quality” includes durability, light weight and cosmetic appeal.

Bending Branches ProStaffers and pals, Gene Jensen and Chad Hoover, spent a day on the waters off the Florida coast to attempt to catch a Goliath grouper without falling out of their kayak.

Canoeists, kayakers and kayak anglers like you are why we’re in business. We put out a lot of content each year to help you learn, get inspired and enjoy your time on the water in whatever boat you love.

Tracy Joseph, aka Old Lady Angler, jumped into kayak fishing with both feet after retirement. Her enthusiasm is inspiring many other anglers, especially beginners who’ve found her YouTube channel.

Bending Branches’ Regional Ambassador, Moo Lee, is well known in his native northern California through his YouTube Channel, MooMoo Outdoors. In this extremely helpful video he explains the Uni Knot—his vote for best fishing knot.

Few things go together as perfectly as Canada and canoeing. In this post, I’d like to introduce you to some of the best canoe trips in Canada. This isn’t an exhaustive list - with so many lakes and rivers, it would be impossible to include all of the amazing places to canoe. I hope you find inspiration for your next trip!

The American Canoe Association (ACA) has supported people involved in paddlesports since 1880—more than 140 years. ACA began in the United States and now has 15,000 members from around the world.

Martin Trahan has canoed across vast portions of North America, both in his native Canada and in the US. We’re honored to have him share his story with the Bending Branches community.

For Texan, Reggie Chapa, kayak fishing and photography are a natural mix of two of his passions. Already a kayak angler, Reggie connected with Bending Branches through his photography.

A few of Bending Branches’ Ambassador and ProStaff team members generously shared a recent kayak fishing story with us. We hope these inspire you for your next angling adventure, too!

Here at Bending Branches we were already 20 years into our history when we switched from our previous “build to inventory” manufacturing process to our current “build to order” process.