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Be sure on the catch that as the blade breaks the surface on the way down that you allow for matching the relative reward apeed of water diue to to your canoe's forward movement.

I've heard Charlie Wilson many times declare that a heel to the offside presents a 'banana shape” of the hull to the water, thus partially countering the effect of turning away from the paddling side. I'm sure that depends on the amount of rocker as well as other hull shape factors. In my new...

My favorite fine finish wood paddle maker suggests using 10% Blo mixed with 90% good marine varnish on wood paddle blades. From the throat up to the grip use 90% BLO mixed with 10% varnish. Seems to hold up well, weathes nice and feels right on hands on the shaft and grip.

Having relied on my father's hand in beginning my wilderness travel navigation instruction in heavily wooded Adirondack topography well off any marked trails, hunting in areas with him that became quite familiar to me. I followed him in the woods long before I was old enough to hunt myself as he...

Years ago, I was a member of the American Canoe Association (ACA). Membership included receiving their periodical magazine, and maybe a small break on race entry fees. It was OK for a while, but after a couple of years I couldn't stand it anymore. Nothing but high-test articles about kayakers...

I have liked and worn Merrell shoes for many years. There was a heavier water shoe available that I bought for hopping out of the canoe in the water and for heavy portaging while canoe racing. It still has Yukon silt embedded in it. Two other lighter pair types I use for the Adirodack races and...

Wow, $30.86 +T for a pair at Amazon!!! Harbor Freight has the same yellow raquettes for Less than $5.00 each, often found on sale there with a $1-2.00 off coupon.

At my lake cottage, I and several of my neighbors like to hike the paved road onto the neary dirt roads. From late May through July we wave at each other with those electronic swatters. I also have the kind that plugs into AC with its longwave UV light as it sits upright in a stand in my...

A dear now passed camping companion of mine and I knew each other for more than 30 years as we shared experiences as permanent National Camping School staff insturctors for BSA high adventure Adirondack wilderness guide trek leaders as well as on many personal wilderness hikes, canoe trips, and...

I'd say it is personal choice, depending on how strongly chemical adverse you are. In my case it is doubtful that I actually dilute all the way down to the recommended 0.5%, but I make sure my clothing is completely dry before wearing.

Noseeums (Punkies) when present always seem to find their way in the tent with you. The prime way they do that is to attach to your clothing and enter with you. Once in, they happily feed on you all night. Best is to treat your clothing with permethrin at home before you leave. Second best is...

When I travel solo, I am rarely if ever at a designated site with either an outhouse, or even a thunder box privy. Most times my boot heel suffices, along with a stick in more compacted ground. I have one of those orange plasstic trowels and slso the metal variety I carry when with others, such...

I grew up in northern NY State, and have returned in retirement to live there, on the edge of the Adirondacks. Much is wong with NY, but my rural community feels relatively safe. I went to college on Long Island, which required me to drive though NYC freeways to get there. Always an eye...

What bothered me most was tansporting (not my own) 23' carbon C4 canoe from NY to Whitehorse. I chose to take the southern route across the Canadian Plains to Alberta to see the Canadian Rockies. Even though I had bow lines, stern llines with a trailer hitch support and five secure belly...

That is exactly what the rescue training course taught us. I can say that it does work for. a smooth top inflatable "strainer" durijng the training. although many different get legs caught in the current under and got sucked down and under into the unknown.

When I was 60 years old, I signed up for a Swift Water Rescue Technician certification course given by NYS Homeland Security. Before being allowed in the program, all had to demonstrate we could flat water swim 400m using various designated strokes without stopping. The facility in central NYS...

During the recent Adirondack Classic 90 mile Canoe Race, September 5-7, I noticed the water level was notably lower than normal, but in most places not by a great deal. Expecting worse, Brown's Tract seemed to have sufficient water into Raquette Lake, although there were more beaver dams then...

(y) And that is all I need to be happy.

Somehow, after I left AF active duty, I ended up with a bag containing my partial aircrew emergency kit, including a colored smoke flare and flare pen with cartridges. After this many years I doubt either still works, but I would never try either where any of the public or L.E. could withness it.

My dad encouraged me to get my NY State "pistol permit" after I turned 21 and was an air crew officer in the Air Force, now over 50 years ago. In the AF, with an "expert" handgun qualification, I was certified to carry a .38 in my navigator's bag in flight whenever we had any kind of passenger...