Paddling Eastern North Carolina Paperback – March 15, 2007

Paddling Eastern North Carolina by Paul Ferguson. North Carolina: Pocosin Press, Second Edition (March 15, 2007), 589 pages, paperback, $21.79. Reviewed by John G Hall, Charlotte Canoeing ExaminerPocosin Press in Raleigh, North Carolina published the first edition of Paddling Eastern North Carolina on 1 December 2002.At that time, one reviewer raved: “The word is spreading and the hottest new guidebook in North Carolina is flying on the shelves at bookstores and outfitters. PADDLING EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA by Paul Ferguson replaces the old standard by Benner and McCloud. Four years in the making, Ferguson paddled over 2,600 miles researching this book”The “Benner and McCloud” in the above paragraph refers to A Paddle’s Guide to Eastern North Carolina by Bob Benner and Tom McCloud.The reviewer, Mr. Pete Peterson, adds a personal note: “I’ve known Paul Ferguson for years. His passion for paddling is evident to all. He is also THE best organized and efficient expedition leader.”Mr. Peterson believes that these traits combined with a talent for writing enabled Paul Ferguson to produce a guidebook that is detailed, accurate and will be a valuable asset for the novice as well as the advanced paddler.“Any paddler (whitewater, expedition or flatwater) who lives in North Carolina or is planning a visit should check it out. I think this book is a must-have.”In March 2007, five years after the publication of his highly acclaimed first edition, Mr. Ferguson with an expanded second edition with over 600 new stream miles added.Mr. Ferguson dedicated nearly a decade of his life or longer to researching and writing Paddling Eastern North Carolina (A Paddler’s Guide to Rivers, Creeks, Swamps, Whitewater, Flatwater, Trip Descriptions and Maps)It is a massive effort and even though it is written for the benefit of beginning, intermediate and advanced paddlers the task of how and where to begin can be daunting.Mr. Ferguson suggests, “The beginning paddler should read all of the introductory chapters (pages 3-39).” The appendices (pages 568-586) also contain valuable information about paddling clubs and organizations.“The experienced paddler should read the chapter on River Descriptions (pages 33-39) to learn how rivers are described in this guide book.”Mr. Ferguson has written definitive text. Or, according to Geoff Bowline, “Ferguson defines “Eastern North Carolina” in the broadest sense, covering some three-fourths of the state including nine river basins.”Without a doubt, Paddling Eastern North Carolina will serve as a valuable guide for paddlers of all ages and abilities for many years to come.“Updates to Paddling Eastern North Carolina are posted on the book’s Webpages (http://PaddlingEasternNC.com) Also, read reviews by Geoff Bowline and Laura Evans.

I've been planning a kayak camping trip and this book made it so easy!! There's so much information that I've got several trips planned over the next couple of years!!

This gift was for my sister who lives in Greenville, NC and has started to kyak. We were both delighted with the amount of detailed information offered in the guidebook.

Purchased this book in preparation for a long kayak river trip. The breakdowns and distance details were amazingly helpful. Useful maps with some photos. Would live to see this done in a waterproof way as we took it on the trip and it did get wet.

I had an opportunity to meet Paul Ferguson at one of our Kayak Club meetings and decided it might be a good idea to check his book out first. Good idea. It is a MUST for anyone who kayaks the waterways in North Carolina.Very informitive with kayak put ins, take outs, cautions where dams and rapids are and maps of where to go, how to get there, and where to camp on longer kayak outings. He also covers kayak etiquite when it comes to tresspassing on private property: Which also might be another safety issue.Paul is a former NASA employee and he approaches the art of kayaking from that perspective in his writing and maps. Very detailed.When you order this book, also order a collection of multi-colored highlighters too. You will find yourself dog-earing pages and making notes as you use it to paddle the waterways of North Carolina. I know of some kayak club members who have copied and laminated practically every page of the book so they can make notes to share with Paul on his web page: Paul keeps updates as he knows that the river changes every day.Enjoy the book, enjoy kayaking, and always be safe by wearing your PFD (personal floatation devise).

Bought this for use with my family and my son's Scout Troop to plan canoe trips in central and eastern NC. Only the very-western area of the state is excluded, with every dependably-deep water covered in detail. Lots of great info, and easy to use maps. Rivers are broken into sections for day-trips or extended paddling, with info on put-in/take out for each section (with directions and GPS coordinates!), gauges to use, etc, and other useful items for trip planning. Areas are organized by main river basin, with tributaries covered from start to finish. Publisher's web site (links given in the text) also has updated info for items that have changed since publication, as well as Google Earth file that can be downloaded with all the sections marked for each river covered in the book. Overall, one of my better purchases that I feel will be useful for a long time.

I've only used it to plan maybe four trips, and only actually paddled two. But when I read about places for which I'm already familiar, it seems very thorough. I appreciate that it has lots of phone numbers and contact info for individuals and organizations that would be helpful. I wish it would devote some text to fishing, like where we might find favorable vegetation, as that is my primary interest, and kayak fishing is becoming very popular.

Meticulously written and super accurate. Has all the info you could possibly need for a great paddle trip. Have done loads of trips by myself that I never would have attempted without all the info contained in the book.