Recent content by Riffle-Raff

I personally don't get out enough to justify a dry suit either. This is actually a combination of a splash jacket and dry pants. I got the top at a thrift store oddly enough and got the pants at a steep discount because they were 10yr old dead stock at a paddle shop. I do some spring whitewater...

I almost always go upstream when poling. Its fun to strategize and pick your way upstream. I'm not overly keen on snubbing downstream, although I can understand the merits of it from a historical standpoint when you would be navigating rocks and the like with a fully loaded wood and canvas...

I quite like the extra paddle length for catching eddies as well. Though the blade on my paddle being a bit narrower does make it less effective in shallow water than I would sometimes hope when compared to a dedicated rock beater paddle such as an Aquabound Edge. It probably doesn't help that I...

Thanks! The 14mi stretch from Great Pond to Amherst is a real wilderness treat. Several sets of falls and named rapids along the way, you won't see another soul on the water despite the relative ease of access.

Up here in Maine, the last few weeks have given us enough rain to raise the rivers to a somewhat reasonable level. A local favorite paddling spot was brought back to life just in time for some late season poling. On this section of the West Branch of the Union River there are several unnamed...

It sure is, it was right next to the Shaw and Tenney Maine Guide at the antique store. I don't use it much, but imagine one day I'll bring it along when I have a big square stern in my fleet one day.

In regards to the venerable Maine Guide paddle, I am quite a fan of the aesthetics but understand the performance concerns of many more efficiency minded paddlers. There are certainly lighter, faster and more efficient designs out there these days. Guide work is at least one part appearance...

What a fascinating tale! Thank you for sharing.

It's always good to see these older hulls brought back into serviceable condition. I picked up an Intrepid 16 this spring and was fairly impressed by it's stability in moving water conditions.

Hello all, dropping in from Maine. Mostly on the eastern/central side of things. I had some ocean going canoe experiences as a youth and rediscovered my love for canoeing back in 2022. I've been a long time lurker, and look forward to contributing as I can along the way. I've always been a big...

Maine also had a paddle through McDonald's (temporarily.) Joking of course, pic is from Farmington during the 2023 flood.