Now that it is officially summer, it’s time for a nice recreational river trip. The Delaware River has special meaning in our place of home. It is the main artery of life that connects our communities and ecosystem all the way to the ocean at Cape May, NJ.

A four- to eight-mile river trip on the Upper Delaware is a good goal for a first river trip of the season. Canoes move much faster than rafts, especially if you are proficient at paddling. Choosing a reasonable length of river trip and the proper type of watercraft can make or break your experience.

Keep an eye on the weather, and shy away from days forecast to have strong south or east winds. It will create a lot of work for you to get downstream, even though our river is silently swift, when there is a strong upstream wind; the above-water draft of a boat creates a lot of resistance.

If you choose a canoe as your boat of choice, be sure to wear your personal flotation device and keep an eye out for rocks.

It is important to keep the nose of your canoe pointed downstream, especially when navigating small rapids throughout our river. If you are going to hit a rock, it is best to do it nose first, rather than trying a last-minute turn to miss it and hitting it sideways. 

Learning a J-stroke paddle will assist you in steering a canoe or raft on your river trip. The person sitting in the back of the boat will need to utilize the J-stroke paddle most of the day to steer accordingly.

Take note of the bends in the river, and think about how gravity affects the water as it flows downstream. Downstream is also downhill. When the river turns to the right, often the river’s channel or most of the flow will then be on the river’s left side. Remaining in the channel will help you move downriver and keep you out of the shallow flats. This rule is not always true but it is a good way to find the channel if you realize you are in water too shallow to paddle. 

A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water shoes, snacks and plenty of drinking water are essentials for any river trip. These key items will keep you protected from the sun and give you the ability to walk in the water when approaching shore, or if needed, to nudge your boat off of rocks.

I like to bring fishing equipment on most river trips, but be sure the people in your boat are aware of hooks, and your ability to navigate a boat and fish can coincide. It is easy to become distracted in a canoe while fishing, then hit a rock and capsize.

Some dogs love river time; it can be a nice way for them to stay cool during the hot summer days, but beware of fish hooks and lures around dogs, because they often think they are toys.

It’s time to dust off that old canoe in your backyard and get it out for a paddle. You can also call one of the many local canoe and raft liveries to get you on the water; they will set you up and transport you accordingly. There is also the option of calling me for a professionally guided fishing experience.

River trips can be as short or as long as you feel comfortable. Spending time on the river outside is good for realizing a “go with the flow” mindset. When you try to fight the current of the river, you become tired and things will often take a turn for the worse. This can be a metaphor for our everyday lives, so remember to live like a river and “go with the flow.”

Be sure to wear your lifejacket, and stay safe out there. 

Evan Padua can be found at Sweetwater Guide Service, www.sweetwaterguide.com/guides.