In Today’s Newsletter: Master a no-match fire, and kayak surf in style. In our Ask An Expert section, we address early-season bugs in canoe country. Plus, go behind the scenes of the inspiring family canoe film everyone’s talking about and Jon Turk shares his insights on building the mental and physical resilience needed for challenging water.

A mom and her two kids set out on a 55-kilometer overnight canoe trip, discovering strength in each other and the beauty in the challenge. Get the behind-the-scenes story to this inspiring family canoe tripping film touring in the 2026 Paddling Film Festival.

A classic question. We’ll level with you: in warmer months, there will be bugs, but biting bugs in canoe country are manageable.

Timing and location matter. In May, mosquito populations are just starting to build as snowmelt leaves behind shallow pools and wetlands where larvae hatch. Black flies often arrive first, especially near fast-moving rivers and northern forests. There is alots of variation based on region and weather, but typically mid-May through July is the height of biting bug season.

Fortunately, paddlers can beat the bite by covering up, using repellent, and wearing a head net or bug jacket in densely populated areas.

And good news for paddlers: On open lakes or breezy rivers, bugs are often far less noticeable. Paddlers frequently report that launching onto open water gives immediate relief compared with shorelines or campsites.

For a deeper dive into mosquito behavior, timing and surprising facts about what attracts them, check out Paddling Magazine’s “13 Things You Didn’t Know About Mosquitos.” It covers why mosquitoes hone in on carbon dioxide, how quickly they hatch, and why spring puddles create ideal breeding habitat.

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