Page 88 - 2022-08-01 Paddling Magazine

CANOEING

DON’T MAKE THIS
BIG MISTAKE

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE AN AN-
GLER CAN MAKE is buying a canoe
that isn’t stable enough to enjoy.
RECOGNIZE THIS GUY?
SEE PAGE 83. Preferences for solo or tandem,
materials, and shape may evolve, but
if you purchase a canoe you don’t
STABILITY MATTERS enjoy or feel scared to paddle, then
you won’t be out enjoying your float-
WHETHER YOU FISH SOLO by its width and cross-sectional For sheltered water, a flat-bot- ing piece of bliss very often.
or with the kids and family shape. A wider canoe has more tomed canoe is a great option. Try before you buy. Demo the
hound hanging over the gun- stability, while narrow canoes However, this shape sacrifices model in question at your local pad-
wales, stability is perhaps the are generally faster and more speed and rough water perfor- dle shop. Stability is tough to explain
most critical feature for fishing efficient in the water. mance. Anglers regularly fishing accurately on land because one
canoeists. How “tippy” a canoe Flat-bottomed canoes are a on large lakes or moving water person’s perception may differ from
does or doesn’t feel is a com- favorite among sporting canoe- may want to consider a more ver- someone else’s. Get on the water
bination of the environmental ists. Flat-bottomed hulls offer the satile shallow-arch or shallow-v and do it with all your gear. Spend
conditions, a paddler’s experi- widest platform on the water, so hull, which may feel less stable enough time to get comfortable. Try
ence, and the canoe’s design. A they feel more stable than other initially, but will more comfort- casting. Bring your daughter, buddy
canoe’s stability is determined hull shapes in calm conditions. ably roll with waves. or dog... whomever you'll be fishing
with. You'll quickly find out what’s
comfortable when you’re fishing.

CHOOSING THE PERFECT SIZE WRESTLING A STOUT GATOR
IN A WINDBOUND BAY.
OPT FOR A CANOE that matches the versatile option for anglers who fish
type of fishing you often do, rather solo sometimes and want to fish with
than the fishing you dream of doing. a friend at other times. A 15-foot model
For example, if you regularly steal can weigh anywhere from 25-50+
away for solo dawn patrol, choose a pounds depending on the material the
smaller canoe you can easily paddle hull is manufactured with. It’s a size
alone. Don’t get stuck trying to solo that can easily transition from solo
an unwieldy 18-footer more suited to wilderness tripper to day tourer with a
multi-week tandem fishing trips in second angler aboard. A symmetrical
the Boundary Waters. canoe—where the bow and stern have
For dedicated solo anglers who the same shape—allows a solo paddler
paddle mostly protected waters, a little the option to flip the canoe around and
pack boat may be ideal. These lithe paddle from the bow seat.
canoe-kayak hybrids were popular Of course, there’s no shortage of
for pond hopping in the Adirondacks tandem canoe options for anglers
at the turn of the 20th century and who want to fish with friends. The
they’ve made a comeback. They’re significant considerations are length,
often built with featherweight compos- gear load, and location of your trip.
ites—it’s not uncommon for a 12.5-foot Tandem canoes typically range
design to weigh just 24 pounds and from 15 to 18 feet but are available
measure 27 inches wide—although in shorter and longer designs. If
other compositions are increasingly bringing a third angler along, look
common. Pack boats have a shallow at models 18 feet and longer, and
depth—some are just 11 inches deep— beware of the manufacturer’s max
and are designed to be paddled by a capacity. And no matter what size
single canoeist sitting on the hull using you settle on, don’t forget to factor
a double blade, like in a kayak. They’re in all your gear. Don’t just look at a
efficient for their length but not ideal manufacturer’s capacity spec; also,
for standing or rough water. imagine how all your equipment will
A mid-size symmetrical canoe is a fit and where.

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