We’ve had several days of warm weather here in western New York and the snow is melting and the water ways are beginning to open up. Between that and all the buzz about Canoecopia happening this weekend, the urge to get the canoe out of winter hibernation and ready for action has been overwhelming. In anticipation of this coming paddling season, I went about making a canoe pole. I have never made a dedicated canoe pole before, as I’ve always just cut a sapling or conveniently found something suitable along the shore that had been previously cut and prepared by beavers. It can sometimes be difficult to find a decent pole and this is usually the case when you really need one.  I opted to make a simple pole instead of purchasing a manufactured system mainly because I’m a cheapskate. I found some plans online that you can read here and went to work. Basically, this is a store bought 1 1/4” wooden closet rod that is used for coat hangers and the like. I found a nice, straight piece with near parallel grain, purchased the rest of the hardware, then went home and put it all together. I haven’t tested it out yet, but if the weather continues to cooperate, I’m hoping to get on the water this weekend.

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