mastertangler wrote on Oct 8^th, 2010 at 11:30am:

I am leaning toward a straight shaft (takes up less room :question) probably a bending branches of some sort.

More room?  I'd say that is a function of how you put it into your canoe.  For me, as a solo paddler, I often take a Bending Branches bent-shaft as my backup paddle (although this year, I experimented with 'yak paddles as my backup).  When my bent-shaft is placed into my canoe, one lash point is the rear thwart (just behind my seat) and then the wide end of the paddle is secured inside a nylon strap loop that is anchored to the side of my canoe.  In this position, the paddle actually follows the contour of the canoe as it bends toward the aft end.  The paddle stays in this spot unless needed (meaning that I portage with it in that position ... it tends to offset the the weight of other gear lashed in toward the front).  

As for a fillet board, I was lucky enough to have purchased a triangular-shaped thwart bag (I seem to remember it was from Granite Gear) many years ago.  I use it primarily for fishing and related gear.  However, it has a 1/4 inch plastic plate in a zipper compartment in the bottom.  It was probably intended to be a fillet board since it has a hole with hanging strap in one end.  This is also where I store spare zip lock bags for storing fillets (after having to trek back to camp more than one to get one on earlier trips).

dd