On our last trip we lashed three poles together to make a tripod from which we hung our cooking pots from. just lash another stick across two of the legs from which the pot chains hang. When you use the pole next morning and through the day you get to smell that wonderful smell of camp fire right in your hands while you pole. I also only take along one paddle as my second I choose the pole. In wind you can creep the shore line and still make head way.
Man you were fast. It has only been up for a couple of minutes! Ya, I mean, they are nice long straight poles and you have them with you! There are so many uses. You are so right! Cheers!
It depends on what you are doing... the same as with paddles. I like a spruce pole at twelve feet and 1-1/4" diameter, but it is just me. I have spruce, ash and aluminum poles. I even have a spruce pole where the last three feet is 3/8" steel rod. Just make a pole and start poling. Don't sweat the details. Worry about that later.
It really depends what you are trying to do with your poling or maybe where you want to go in your canoe. If it is a general tool (like paddling, lining...), then you use the boat you have and learn how it poles and it's limitations. If you are hoping to be a more dedicated poler, then the longer, flatter bottomed boat is better. Don't go under 16'. About the "Prospector" though, every manufacturer's is different. My Nova Craft 16' is fairly flat bottomed, so is good for general poling in tripping. If you want to play in moving water, like the A.C.A. racers, then you want a lighter and more responsive boat, like a Mad River Explorer (and Kevlar). That is a speciality. I have a Swift Yukon (Royalex 17'-6" - no longer in production) that poles very well, but heavy. I have been assured by the Canadian polers who really know (in New Brunswick) That the Equif Prospecteur 17' is a beauty for general river poling. I tried one for only ten minutes, but I would say they are right. Many old/original designs like the Chestnut Ogilvy were produced for river guides who very often poled their canoes. They came in six lengths from 16' to 26' (I just looked that up. I am not a canoe expert). The same goes for the old manufacturers in Maine, like E.M. White and Old Town. These are wood and canvas collector's items, so... pole what you gots and adjust from there! :)
Thanks for the bit of information and graphically why poling is so useful. I will probably pass it along to people here. I noticed the pole you were using for snubbing was pretty whippy, what is it made of (looks like fibreglass or carbon).
Oh I am so sure that you need my input. I think that is an ash pole. Oddly, I have never done a comparison of poles. I made an 1-1/4" aluminum one which is very stiff and good for pushing upstream hard and my others are spruce and ash. I like spruce, but I don't know why. I have a lot of ash poles because I have a friend (now a poler!) who makes them on a programmable lathe where he works so that I can have stock for teaching. Cheers!
I’m in A Swedish canoeing society-I will share this around , although I know someone who already did this when we paddled from Norway to Sweden , almost the entire journey -you forgot to mention it saves strain on your legs that sitting in a canoe invariably gives you . I’ve got some ash left over from my sedat strip canoe build. How long does the pole need to be 4/5 m ?
four metres is plenty, that is over 13 feet. Here we go 11 or 12 feet. I prefer longer, because (other than storage) you don't worry if it is longer, but sometimes you might think it is too short. If you are using ash, 32mm in diameter is fine. I hope you will have success in getting others to pole. Thank you for commenting!
I’m interested. It seems that a lot of the rivers near me (Guelph) are quite shallow and are not great for paddling, unless it’s early in the spring. I also don’t like shuttling cars between the put in and out spots. Seems to me that polling might solve that problem, no? Do you run training sessions? Thanks.
@tia maria So your comment got cut off. I am Paddle Canada poling instructor and I live in Guelph. Maybe you knew that, if not... weird! I pole up the beautiful Speed River from Goldies Mill to Guelph lake with less than a foot of water in it (and down, of course). I tell people that it is my private river because no one else can use it except in flood. Contact me sometime and we can work something out. I had two courses at riverside park this summer.
Oh and the nice gentle shallow river half way though this video is the Speed between Woodlawn and Victoria Road at around 1.15 cubic metres per second of flow. (it is 1.6 cms right now, but usually it is 0.8 during the winter and summer average is what is shown just above 1 cms... imagine the fun??? Just with a stick!!! Up and back!!!!). :). I might go tomorrow if it stays up!
O.k. you edited. Go to the Instagram icon on the home page for this channel and I think you can message me through there. Or go to Paddle Canada and the "Instructors for Hire" and look under Canoe Poling instructors in Ontario for me.
G Stroke You can maybe see how I have mine in most/all of the clips and other videos. If you have gear, make sure it is forward enough to slide the pole from in front to the yoke and under it, towards the stern. The forward end can rest on the pack/duffel or the front seat. Just stand up tight to the yoke and reach down and slide it out forward like a sword from a scabbard. If you are going tandem then that doesn't work. Slide them forward below the yoke along the side the stern person is not paddling on. They can go up between the bow person's feet, but must stick out the offside at the back. Can't change sides paddling, though. I have seen a few pics of folks who made a hook around eight or ten inches in from the gunnel, on top of the yoke. They just lay the pole on top of the seats and the yoke and then bow the middle towards the gunnel until they can hook it in the middle. (I want to experiment with that myself.) If you're not like me, that is, paddling down a river and having to do some dodgy quick draw while dropping the paddle and standing up... I'd suggest a two part pole or three part. It's easier to tuck away the shorter pieces.
Great video! Thanks for sharing! It's a very useful and fun skill and I'd like to explore the way of the pole. Do you have any tips for making or getting one? What's it made of and how would you go about choosing it's length?
Krasnoluj Hello! Please pursue the pole... it will change the way you look at waterways! Poles are made from wood or aluminum and are pretty easy to make. Eleven or twelve feet long are standard. I like 12 because... why not! I like spruce the best, but it is hard to find without knots. Most of my poles are ash and my wooden poles are 1-1/4" in diameter. I have a couple of aluminum ones as well that I made to come apart in sections. Here are a couple of links for pole making: w.brockeng.com/AmusingRaven/pole.htm ravensjester.smugmug.com/Boats/How-To/Building-a-Two-piece-Aluminum/ . Watch my other videos for ideas and check my "Playlist" for my favourite RUclips poling videos. There is a lot of info here. So get out there and good luck!
@@canoepoler Thanks for all the info - that's great stuff! I'll do the research locally and I expect to have my pole on board come spring! I have used a paddle in a standing position in the past - I guess I was longing for the pole. :)
On our last trip we lashed three poles together to make a tripod from which we hung our cooking pots from. just lash another stick across two of the legs from which the pot chains hang. When you use the pole next morning and through the day you get to smell that wonderful smell of camp fire right in your hands while you pole. I also only take along one paddle as my second I choose the pole. In wind you can creep the shore line and still make head way.
Man you were fast. It has only been up for a couple of minutes! Ya, I mean, they are nice long straight poles and you have them with you! There are so many uses. You are so right! Cheers!
@@canoepoler Well, its critical stuff, poling, best jump on it as soon as one can.
What have you found to be the ideal pole, is there a specific type of wood or length you prefer?
Awesome video! Soothing, and poetic!
It depends on what you are doing... the same as with paddles. I like a spruce pole at twelve feet and 1-1/4" diameter, but it is just me. I have spruce, ash and aluminum poles. I even have a spruce pole where the last three feet is 3/8" steel rod. Just make a pole and start poling. Don't sweat the details. Worry about that later.
@@canoepoler Thanks!
RUclips recommended this video. Very good demonstration. I’ve watched a few other poling videos, but have yet to try it. Subscribed.
Thank you! Now you must go out and start poling... for so many reasons!
this is very cool! im wondering...what would be an ideal polling canoe? A prospector hull may be too round ? more flatness?
It really depends what you are trying to do with your poling or maybe where you want to go in your canoe. If it is a general tool (like paddling, lining...), then you use the boat you have and learn how it poles and it's limitations. If you are hoping to be a more dedicated poler, then the longer, flatter bottomed boat is better. Don't go under 16'. About the "Prospector" though, every manufacturer's is different. My Nova Craft 16' is fairly flat bottomed, so is good for general poling in tripping. If you want to play in moving water, like the A.C.A. racers, then you want a lighter and more responsive boat, like a Mad River Explorer (and Kevlar). That is a speciality. I have a Swift Yukon (Royalex 17'-6" - no longer in production) that poles very well, but heavy. I have been assured by the Canadian polers who really know (in New Brunswick) That the Equif Prospecteur 17' is a beauty for general river poling. I tried one for only ten minutes, but I would say they are right. Many old/original designs like the Chestnut Ogilvy were produced for river guides who very often poled their canoes. They came in six lengths from 16' to 26' (I just looked that up. I am not a canoe expert). The same goes for the old manufacturers in Maine, like E.M. White and Old Town. These are wood and canvas collector's items, so... pole what you gots and adjust from there! :)
Excellent
Thank you for sharing ... (and thanks also for not adding some crazy music )
The river is music enough. I must learn to edit the sound of the pole hitting the gunnel on some of my clips. That isn't very soothing... :)
I don't even pole but this video was incredibly soothing to watch
Sarah Ball Thanks Mom! ;)
Give'er Steve!!!!
Thanks for the bit of information and graphically why poling is so useful. I will probably pass it along to people here. I noticed the pole you were using for snubbing was pretty whippy, what is it made of (looks like fibreglass or carbon).
Oh I am so sure that you need my input. I think that is an ash pole. Oddly, I have never done a comparison of poles. I made an 1-1/4" aluminum one which is very stiff and good for pushing upstream hard and my others are spruce and ash. I like spruce, but I don't know why. I have a lot of ash poles because I have a friend (now a poler!) who makes them on a programmable lathe where he works so that I can have stock for teaching. Cheers!
:-) - I will use your video, always a good idea to build on what others have graciously created.
@@CharlesBurchill So now I am blushing!
I’m in A Swedish canoeing society-I will share this around , although I know someone who already did this when we paddled from Norway to Sweden , almost the entire journey -you forgot to mention it saves strain on your legs that sitting in a canoe invariably gives you . I’ve got some ash left over from my sedat strip canoe build. How long does the pole need to be 4/5 m ?
four metres is plenty, that is over 13 feet. Here we go 11 or 12 feet. I prefer longer, because (other than storage) you don't worry if it is longer, but sometimes you might think it is too short. If you are using ash, 32mm in diameter is fine. I hope you will have success in getting others to pole. Thank you for commenting!
Hello from Mosquito lagoon Fl. Come pole the flats👍🏻
Some day, I hope!
I’m interested. It seems that a lot of the rivers near me (Guelph) are quite shallow and are not great for paddling, unless it’s early in the spring. I also don’t like shuttling cars between the put in and out spots. Seems to me that polling might solve that problem, no? Do you run training sessions? Thanks.
@tia maria So your comment got cut off. I am Paddle Canada poling instructor and I live in Guelph. Maybe you knew that, if not... weird! I pole up the beautiful Speed River from Goldies Mill to Guelph lake with less than a foot of water in it (and down, of course). I tell people that it is my private river because no one else can use it except in flood. Contact me sometime and we can work something out. I had two courses at riverside park this summer.
Oh and the nice gentle shallow river half way though this video is the Speed between Woodlawn and Victoria Road at around 1.15 cubic metres per second of flow. (it is 1.6 cms right now, but usually it is 0.8 during the winter and summer average is what is shown just above 1 cms... imagine the fun??? Just with a stick!!! Up and back!!!!). :). I might go tomorrow if it stays up!
O.k. you edited. Go to the Instagram icon on the home page for this channel and I think you can message me through there. Or go to Paddle Canada and the "Instructors for Hire" and look under Canoe Poling instructors in Ontario for me.
What's the best way to stow the pole when you're in a long stretch of deep water and just paddling for a while?
G Stroke You can maybe see how I have mine in most/all of the clips and other videos. If you have gear, make sure it is forward enough to slide the pole from in front to the yoke and under it, towards the stern. The forward end can rest on the pack/duffel or the front seat. Just stand up tight to the yoke and reach down and slide it out forward like a sword from a scabbard. If you are going tandem then that doesn't work. Slide them forward below the yoke along the side the stern person is not paddling on. They can go up between the bow person's feet, but must stick out the offside at the back. Can't change sides paddling, though. I have seen a few pics of folks who made a hook around eight or ten inches in from the gunnel, on top of the yoke. They just lay the pole on top of the seats and the yoke and then bow the middle towards the gunnel until they can hook it in the middle. (I want to experiment with that myself.) If you're not like me, that is, paddling down a river and having to do some dodgy quick draw while dropping the paddle and standing up... I'd suggest a two part pole or three part. It's easier to tuck away the shorter pieces.
Great video! Thanks for sharing! It's a very useful and fun skill and I'd like to explore the way of the pole. Do you have any tips for making or getting one? What's it made of and how would you go about choosing it's length?
Krasnoluj Hello! Please pursue the pole... it will change the way you look at waterways! Poles are made from wood or aluminum and are pretty easy to make. Eleven or twelve feet long are standard. I like 12 because... why not! I like spruce the best, but it is hard to find without knots. Most of my poles are ash and my wooden poles are 1-1/4" in diameter. I have a couple of aluminum ones as well that I made to come apart in sections. Here are a couple of links for pole making: w.brockeng.com/AmusingRaven/pole.htm
ravensjester.smugmug.com/Boats/How-To/Building-a-Two-piece-Aluminum/ . Watch my other videos for ideas and check my "Playlist" for my favourite RUclips poling videos. There is a lot of info here. So get out there and good luck!
@@canoepoler Thanks for all the info - that's great stuff! I'll do the research locally and I expect to have my pole on board come spring! I have used a paddle in a standing position in the past - I guess I was longing for the pole. :)