Review: Backwater Assault Hand Paddle

River-fishing from a solo kayak or canoe involves a slew of challenges unknown to driftboat- and raft-fishermen. One of them is maneuvering the boat when you’ve got a fish on—which is where the Assault Hand Paddle comes in. As your craft careens toward a rock or strainer, simply keep tension on the fish with one hand while paddling yourself to safety with the other. The Assault also has a hook, so you can snag a tree branch or rock to swing yourself into an eddy. Accoutrements can pile up quickly in a boat, but this baby will prove its worth in your first few trips out. $30; backwaterpaddles.com.