3 Minutes with a Maine Guide-- A Good Poling Canoe

Registered Maine Guide Lisa DeHart explains what makes a good poling canoe and how to make it move straight.

[@mrh0wler353]

This is one of the better Poling videos. Watch it more than once to see and hear all great instruction comments. I just got a very old 12' White canoe, called the Whitepond (a forerunner of Old Towne); flat bottom, 40" wide, material like Royalex. I cut a 12' bamboo pole and glued/taped a heavy rubber plug in one end, and I'm going to try to pole it on a shallow, all rock portion of the Potomac river at Riverbend Park (above Great Falls).

[@3_Minutes_With_a_Maine_Guide]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck. My Poling class schedule will be out January 2025. Go to 3MinutesMaineGuide.com. Thanks for watching.

[@peterh4446]

Lisa, your dad raised an awesome daughter. You’re very cool

[@louisvisconti6396]

Great video Lisa. What do I use for a pole to get started?

[@patrickstanley8655]

That was fantastic many thanks

[@canoeing]

I also own a camper. I would like to start pole ring with this canoe. Please refer to your video!

[@blackspruceroutes]

Hi Lisa In another conversation you said you didn't favor the Pathfinder Model. Here you are using a Camper model. From what i understand they are the same boat.justbchanged name..?? Or maybe its the camper 16 specifically and not the 15 ..??

[@3_Minutes_With_a_Maine_Guide]

No they are entirely different. The camper is 16 feet 2 inches intended to be a scaled down version of a Tripper which it is. The pathfinder is 14 feet but little bit wider than a 17 foot Tripper. It is short and wide and spins easily which is what makes it such a difficult boat to pole. The Camper is a better all around boat.

[@blackspruceroutes]

@@3_Minutes_With_a_Maine_Guide ok so I guess there's some misconceptions out the between the pathfinder14 and the camper 15.... thanks for your help!

[@j.t.c.9157]

Lisa.. when is a pole needed.. thanks

[@3_Minutes_With_a_Maine_Guide]

I would have to say any rapid. Poling makes it so you can see and you can stop. Take a look at these episodes on my channel to really see the power of the sport. #10, #15, #80 & # 81. I teach classes all summer. Go to 3MinutesMaineGuide.com. Enjoy!

[@danclements1990]

Hi Lisa. Want to t.alk canoes. I have an Esquif presage but have been looking at the Esquif prospector and the Novacraft prospector. What are your thoughts on those boats or another suggestion. Thank you

[@Mainepolingguide]

Dan, sorry for the late response. My editor is trying to change setting so comments come to me sooner. Nova craft and esquif both make good canoes. Depending on what you want to do in the sport, but as a Guide I went towards the wilderness canoe tripping lines and 16-17 foot canoes. Also you can never have too many canoes.

[@danclements1990]

@@Mainepolingguide Thank you! and you're right about that! I just got another canoe this weekend, more toward flatwater and lake travel, but its fast compared to my River boat! Love the videos !

[@grahamfisher5436]

Hou Prospector 16. Bea Hou tidul crafts

[@Beasthornen]

I need 6 minutes!

[@timothyroche6445]

those aren't canoes they are small boats