A very short yet concise article from Canoeroots Magazine. I'll need to work on #2 as I don't even have a toss bag. #3 is a bit of a surprise but I don't disagree
Five Traits You Want In A Canoe Partner

Not sure the throw bag is critical for calm water. Maybe they would be useful for big lakes when it gets windy and very wavy.

However, I think we’re good on the other 4. Of course, we hone those skills 365 days a year as the are mostly about just getting along. But they extend to other tripping partners and not just the other paddler in your canoe. For #3 we each make custom GORP and woe unto the person who takes my wife’s bag.

To add #6, I would say someone who knows how to work as a team when paddling and portaging.

My top 5 traits of a canoe partner:
1) Desire and ability to portage all the stuff they bring
2) Ability to read a map
3) Fish filleting skills
4) Great sense of humor
5) Never whines about the conditions

1) ability to paddle
2) ability to portage
3) ability to read a map and the water
4) ability to fish all day
5) ability to do all of the above quietly.

JackpineJim: "My top 5 traits of a canoe partner:
1) Desire and ability to portage all the stuff they bring
2) Ability to read a map
3) Fish filleting skills
4) Great sense of humor
5) Never whines about the conditions
"

Mine also, with #4 and #5 the MOST important!

+3 on JackpineJim's list but I would change #3 to "ability and ambition to pull his/her weight in camp"

ozarkpaddler: "

JackpineJim: "My top 5 traits of a canoe partner:
1) Desire and ability to portage all the stuff they bring
2) Ability to read a map
3) Fish filleting skills
4) Great sense of humor
5) Never whines about the conditions
"

Mine also, with #4 and #5 the MOST important!"

Definitely 4 & 5...I can deal with a LOT of other shortcomings if the guy/gal has the right attitude about things and a fun personality.

1. Behaves off of a leash
2.doesnt shed much
3 doesn't bark much
4 carries own food
5 sits still in the canoe

mooseplums: "1. Behaves off of a leash
2.doesnt shed much
3 doesn't bark much
4 carries own food
5 sits still in the canoe"

One time I was driving between farm calls and saw friend/client coming towards me...so we stopped and 'chewed the cud' for a bit. And I asked him in somewhat a sarcastic matter why the stinky old farm dog in the truck. And he told me the dog is happy, doesn't complain about the music on the radio or how loud it is, windows too far down or up, going to fast or slow.... It was just happy being there..

I thought about his comment and how the war dept picks on my driving habits, radio, watch out for deer etc...and I had to totally agree with him

dr bob

treehorn: "

ozarkpaddler: "

JackpineJim: "My top 5 traits of a canoe partner:
1) Desire and ability to portage all the stuff they bring
2) Ability to read a map
3) Fish filleting skills
4) Great sense of humor
5) Never whines about the conditions
"

Mine also, with #4 and #5 the MOST important!"

Definitely 4 & 5...I can deal with a LOT of other shortcomings if the guy/gal has the right attitude about things and a fun personality."

Yup, ditto on 4 and 5. Attitude will outweigh skills or pure strength. I'd much rather trip with someone that's happy and excited and likes to help than some body builder that hates everything but can carry the kitchen sink and paddle like crazy.

1-3 here I don't think would make my top 5.

old_salt: "1) ability to paddle
2) ability to portage
3) ability to read a map and the water
4) ability to fish all day
5) ability to do all of the above quietly."

6) Ability to sneak good coffee and chocolate onto the trip...and shares it

mooseplums: "1. Behaves off of a leash
2.doesnt shed much
3 doesn't bark much
4 carries own food
5 sits still in the canoe"

Then, can I come?

I think Ben'll be OK. Like me, he doesn't have much left to shed...

mooseplums: "1. Behaves off of a leash
2.doesnt shed much
3 doesn't bark much
4 carries own food
5 sits still in the canoe"

Great list mooseplums.
I had the best paddling partner in the world (as I'm sure you did/do too)
Still miss her every day.

Jerry
How did you get the moniker of One Match?
Reminds me of a buddy from Alaska that would always configure our campfire perfectly, then with one stick match, get it going. He never failed.

LindenTree3: "Jerry
How did you get the moniker of One Match?
Reminds me of a buddy from Alaska that would always configure our campfire perfectly, then with one stick match, get it going. He never failed.
"

I was actually first going for j-stroke, but it was already taken. I thought about it and have always been proud of the fact that (if I take my time and build the teepee right) that I usually can start a fire with just one match.



Now that I've said that, I'll probably never get another fire started with a whole matchbook!

JackpineJim: "My top 5 traits of a canoe partner:
1) Desire and ability to portage all the stuff they bring
2) Ability to read a map
3) Fish filleting skills
4) Great sense of humor
5) Never whines about the conditions
"

I think the only one of those that I struggle with is number 5 when the weather forces us to change our plans. I will take 15-30 min to feel sorry for myself and process the new plan.

The one trait I would add though is the ability to relax and enjoy being out there and the view. This is my vacation and I want to enjoy it.

OneMatch: "

LindenTree3: "Jerry
How did you get the moniker of One Match?
Reminds me of a buddy from Alaska that would always configure our campfire perfectly, then with one stick match, get it going. He never failed.
"

I was actually first going for j-stroke, but it was already taken. I thought about it and have always been proud of the fact that (if I take my time and build the teepee right) that I usually can start a fire with just one match.





Now that I've said that, I'll probably never get another fire started with a whole matchbook!"

That's a good skill! May have to change my screen name to BIC

rtallent: "

OneMatch: "

LindenTree3: "Jerry
How did you get the moniker of One Match?
Reminds me of a buddy from Alaska that would always configure our campfire perfectly, then with one stick match, get it going. He never failed.
"

I was actually first going for j-stroke, but it was already taken. I thought about it and have always been proud of the fact that (if I take my time and build the teepee right) that I usually can start a fire with just one match.







Now that I've said that, I'll probably never get another fire started with a whole matchbook!"

That's a good skill! May have to change my screen name to BIC"

You mean ONEBIC.

My number one... makes time for coffee in the morning.
Two: Cutting trip short means someone maybe died.
Three: Catches, Cleans and Cooks the best Walleye around.
Four: Tosses dishwater 150’ away from lake after THEY do the dishes.
Five: Makes time for coffee in the morning!

nctry: "

rtallent: "

OneMatch: "

LindenTree3: "Jerry
How did you get the moniker of One Match?
Reminds me of a buddy from Alaska that would always configure our campfire perfectly, then with one stick match, get it going. He never failed.
"

I was actually first going for j-stroke, but it was already taken. I thought about it and have always been proud of the fact that (if I take my time and build the teepee right) that I usually can start a fire with just one match.







Now that I've said that, I'll probably never get another fire started with a whole matchbook!"

That's a good skill! May have to change my screen name to BIC"

You mean ONEBIC."

LOL!

RTurner: "

mooseplums: "1. Behaves off of a leash
2.doesnt shed much
3 doesn't bark much
4 carries own food
5 sits still in the canoe"

Great list mooseplums.
I had the best paddling partner in the world (as I'm sure you did/do too)
Still miss her every day.


"

I did too...I lost her a year ago...It really has left a big gaping hole in my heart.

nctry: "

mooseplums: "1. Behaves off of a leash
2.doesnt shed much
3 doesn't bark much
4 carries own food
5 sits still in the canoe"

Then, can I come?"

As long as I don't catch you wagging yer tail :)

You guys crack me up.

The traits of my favorite canoe partner I love best is that are:

1. She likes to paddle, and likes to paddle solo.
2. She has the skills necessary to paddle solo.
3. She rarely complains about anything.
4. She's a good cook, and makes the coffee in the morning.
5. We have a whole lot in common; 39 years worth.

BOB

Only one trait matters; no matter how bad things get, no complaints.






Photo from some years ago, nibon-bibbon portages with a 21’ canoe. Developing character for my kids. My son was third fastest Minnesotan last time he ran the city of lakes marathon, 2:37. That takes some serious pain sucking, I asked him how he did it, his response was, remember those canoe trips?

My daughter is happiest when grizzly bears are nearby.

#1- Canoe mates I have met through Watertribe via Mn Kruger/Voyaguer Challenges. 100's of "traits" come out-- even with some negatives- BUT- being 100 some hours in 270 miles you figure out damn quick what works (thanks to training)- it's just plain awesome the ups and downs you go through as a crew and how "quickly" those traits come out and how quickly the selfish ones get smashed. Yeah - use this as a promo for next year Grandma L and BeaV!

#2- TEAM work. See above.

The above answer all other possible traits rather quickly.

Double post-- one trait I don't like is BeaV getting his team "lost" on Crooked. Not what it seems- inside joke. Insane story that will not be told online.

1. Do your share of the camp chores
2. Do the work you are physically able to do
3. What ever happens enjoy the experience
4. Don't blame me for the conditions
5. Don't get upset when the group decision is against your wishes

WhiteWolf: "Double post-- one trait I don't like is BeaV getting his team "lost" on Crooked. Not what it seems- inside joke. Insane story that will not be told online.

"

Now that is a serious information tease, White Wolf!!!! I think you need to come to Canoecopia and tell the story!

JackpineJim: "My top 5 traits of a canoe partner:
1) Desire and ability to portage all the stuff they bring
2) Ability to read a map
3) Fish filleting skills
4) Great sense of humor
5) Never whines about the conditions
"

I fail number 5

old_salt: "1) ability to paddle
2) ability to portage
3) ability to read a map and the water
4) ability to fish all day
5) ability to do all of the above quietly."

I fail #4

old_salt: "1) ability to paddle
2) ability to portage
3) ability to read a map and the water
4) ability to fish all day
5) ability to do all of the above quietly."

I fail #4

nctry: "My number one... makes time for coffee in the morning.
Two: Cutting trip short means someone maybe died.
Three: Catches, Cleans and Cooks the best Walleye around.
Four: Tosses dishwater 150’ away from lake after THEY do the dishes.
Five: Makes time for coffee in the morning!"

I have occasionally failed #2...but to my defense, I live in the arrowhead and am outdoors alot, so it just doesn't make sense if the weather is miserable...i'll go home and get my fix of fishing or paddling somewhere else when it's not miserable.

Captn Tony: "1. Do your share of the camp chores
2. Do the work you are physically able to do
3. What ever happens enjoy the experience
4. Don't blame me for the conditions
5. Don't get upset when the group decision is against your wishes"

I fail #3...at a later date, I may enjoy recounting the experiance...but a miserable experiance is just that, miserable.

Naw, we call that Type 2 Fun.

rtallent: "I think Ben'll be OK. Like me, he doesn't have much left to shed..."

That one made me laugh!

Dave

1. Doesn't need coffee in the morning. Takes too much time!
2. Can net a fish.
3. Can cast without casting into a tree every three minutes.
4. Cheerful.
5. Strong.

1. competent
2. enthusiastic
3. self-aware
4. prefers clean-up to preparation
5. flexible

missmolly: "1. Doesn't need coffee in the morning. Takes too much time!
"

missmolly, I'm wondering what this is all about? Is it because you want to travel or, get out fishing? For me a big enjoyment is waking up with coffee and not being in a rush. What if a person just gets up earlier to do this while you're still dreaming of big bass?

For me:
1. Doesn't complain unless it's "funny complaining".
2. Willing to accept whatever the situation is. (eg: fishing's bad, weather's bad, not feeling good etc.)
3. Share in the work.
4. Don't be a monologist unless asked to tell stories. Conversation is a 2 way street.
5. Want to be there and love it. Couldn't be bored if you tried.

Yeah, Tom, I want to be on the water. Sure, I should stop and smell the coffee, but....

1. Someone with like interests.
2. Someone who sees something that needs to be done and does it.
3. Someone with a sense of humor when "stuff" happens.
4. Someone who enjoys a challenge.
5. Someone with a curious mind.