The Fishell family has been around canoes all their lives. It all started with my father Fred Fishell who attended summer camp in Ontario back in the late-forties and early-fifties. Since then whether it was the annual family summer canoe trip, tripping as a camper or later as a staff member, or my own family canoe trips, a Fishell has been on the water canoeing every year for the past 75 years. T
he legacy has continued with my sons who combined have 22 years as campers and staff members between them at one of Ontario’s premier canoeing camps. This same legacy has been true with paddle building. My father Fred carved his own paddles and passed that knowledge on to me. With the help of Ray Kettlewell that knowledge has been honed and improved, and passed on to my self (John) and my sons Greg and Trevor. Fishell Paddles is the reincarnation of Ray Kettlewell Paddles. I met Ray over 35 years ago when he was just starting up Kettlewell Paddles. I was quickly enthralled with his passion and knowledge for paddles. When my sons discovered Ray was retiring after 35+ years of service they called me urging me to not let this tradition die. In the winter of 2013 Ray and I entered into discussions on the purchase of his business, which resulted in Fishell Paddles. Ray Kettlewell Paddles is gone and no more paddles will be crafted by Ray, but his tradition has not been lost. Although not a ‘Kettlewell’ our paddles will be built using the same tools, templates and methods as Ray used and it’s our intention to build an equally superior product to Ray’s. The vision of Fishell Paddles is to deliver the same quality, beauty and craftsmanship Ray strived for in every paddle he made.
