Self Shuttle

[Al Agnew]

The three brothers, Al, Syl, and Frank Beletz, put out an inexpensive book with blurry black and white pictures called "Canoeing God's Gifts" about ten years ago, when they were all in their 80s. They were members of the Meramec River Canoe Club which did conservation work and put on river races starting back in the 1960s, I believe, and they had been canoeing and poling since they were kids, their father being an expert at poling. They used to show up and often give programs at the Alpine Shop's big canoeing and kayaking sales event, which, by the way, is happening this coming weekend. I have given some programs on canoe fishing at the event in the past, though I'm not doing it this year, and I met Al there a couple of times but never had the chance to talk to him, though I picked up the book. I don't know whether any of them are still alive. But they made a big splash back in the day with their poling expertise, and for a while the Alpine Shop actually sold canoeing poles due mainly to the Beletz brothers making it look easy and appealing.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I believe poling is popular in parts of Maine, if I remember right. Where ever it was they paddle the lakes, called ponds, and then pole the connecting streams.

[Mitch f]

The three brothers, Al, Syl, and Frank Beletz.

Could have sworn this was the beginning of a good joke!!!

[Greasy B]

I bought a pole from Sylvester back in the eighties, still have it I think. I believe they wrote a section on canoe poling for the old Red Cross canoeing guide. My copy of that book wore to shreds long ago.