This will be my fifth trip to the Q in as many years, but the first trip in a 3 person canoe.  I'm curious to see if there are any issues that I should be prepared for with three adults in one canoe (MN III).

Off the top of my head I anticipate two:

1.) Casting may get tricky given the extra set of swaying arms and the cramped space.  Trolling would have to be done using only two rods.
2.) Unlike trips with two or three tandem canoes where we occassionally switch traveling partners, this year the three of us will be in the same canoe the entire 8 days.   I don't expect this to be an issue, but there is a possibility it could get annoying.

Finally, in your experience, have all three paddled or is it easier to coordinate if the middle guy sits out.

On the plus side, I'm hoping to gain some efficiencies on the portages with only one canoe/3 people vs one canoe/2 people.

My search of this topic came up empty.  Thank you in advance!

Thanks for the info Solus.  All good news, except the part about only two people fishing at one time.   I can see this as a potential problem.  But we'll figure it out.

By the way, love your site.

I have trolled three lines out of one canoe before.  It can be done.  The "sweep" rods on either side are the bow and duffer and should be the longest rods you can get without being "noodles" that bend way back on a troll.  They should also be as near horizontal as possible.  The stern man holds his pole straight up by cocking the butt of the rod behind a foot or ankle and the rod rests against his shoulder.  The side rods run somewhat shorter lines and the rear rod runs furthest back.  Try to avoid sharp turns.

When you get a fish, try to reel in as little as possible while still retaining a tight line to the fish until the other two lures are mostly reeled in.

Solus wrote on May 6^th, 2009 at 7:51pm:


I'd agree with Solus.  With all 3 paddling, you can cruise, even in a headwind.  Use that momentum once you get going, and have everyone change to a hut stroke/half stroke.  You will probably go too fast to troll, but you can get to camp a few hours earlier.  Sometimes I've found that the Duffer (middle person) is more comfortable paddling while sitting on a pack, as there is no middle seat, or it is too low.

Also, experiment with the paddling sides.  Bow & Duffer on one side while Stern paddles on the other would be typical, and you may not have to j-stroke much at all.  You may find Bow & Stern paddling on same side with Duffer on the other will keep you straight in a quartering wind.

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Our 'snags' fillet out nicely, and don't create extra drag on the water.