Ferrying

[Al Agnew]

To be serious for a minute...you beach on the gravel bar with a ferry as well. Bring the canoe in more or less parallel to the gravel bar, then back paddle on the opposite side from the bar. Brings the canoe's rear end into the gravel. Soon as it touches and starts to stop, jab the paddle into the gravel, still on the opposite side as the bar, and push hard backwards, lodging the rear end onto the gravel.

[joeD]

Great advise Al. Timely, informational, lucid, appropriate.

My only nit, though minor, bears mentioning in my opinion.

It is my assumption that you are describing these actions from a solo canoeist perspective. If not, then, nevermind. Continuing, handling a lighter, shorter, more maneuverable canoe by yourself is somewhat different than being in the back of a 16 or 17 foot tandem canoe with a less-than-skilled partner in front. I'm sure the logistics are the same, but sometimes people don't always do what you ask, or do it in a way you want...

SO, how should a tandem handle the situation? What should the front person be doing when? Ditto for the person in back.

PS: I usually get out beforehand and start fishing and tell the person in front good luck.

[RogerH]

Just one question here if I may as a first-time poster? I take it that all of you paddle on the same side, right? Left? No? Yes? Or you do what they call the Minnesota switch, right?

Some of you might be interested in signing up for the recreational school of paddling that is conducted on the Spring River in May of each year by the Arkansas Canoe Club. Canoes and kayaks of all types are welcome as the idea is to help the paddler learn to be a more effective paddler in their boat of choice.

If you happen to see a guy paddling a short purple WW boat or a long red one at low water headed upstream on the Buffalo, Strawberry, Crooked, etc., it will be me. And being a once-certified ACA instructor, I would be more than happen to give any free advice that you might want if you ask!

Just remember, it's worth what you paid for it!

As for landing the craft on a gravel bar, best bet is to land it at the bottom of the bar by turning the bow upstream at a slight angle to the landing zone and paddle upstream maintaining the angle and bring the boat in gently where you are parallel to the bank.

My $.02

Have a good fishing day!

[darbwa]

Great post. I thought about your technique and used it (maybe over-used it) extensively on my 3 days on the Jack's/Current trip. It is so much less effort than trying to overpower the current. It also allowed me to tell my canoe partner to put his paddle down and pick up his fishing pole. I don't need help in the riffles, I need it in the pools.