db wrote on Sep 29^th, 2013 at 6:45am:

but I want to hear more about the bow paddler putting on a pack in the canoe. I'd be dead set against that w/o seeing it in action first.

the whole series of events i described begins about 100 yards from shore for the bow paddler. securing his paddle, putting away his fishing rod/tackle, getting the packs unlashed. by the time he is ready to put his pack on, we are nearly to shore and the pack goes on just before stepping out into the water.

if we are both trolling a particular stretch of water, the rear guy hands his rod off to the front guy to reel it in so the canoe doesnt lose course or speed.