I'll add my two cents.
I have a 14 foot kayak that I use on the Fox River. I paddle upstream all the time. In still water, I can paddle 4 to 5 MPH. In the summer, the Fox is about 1 MPH current - so I can make 3 to 4 MPH upstream. It doesn't take much to double the current speed to two MPH - maybe 6 to 10 inches higher water. I always check that before I put in. THere is a huge difference in the effort and time it takes to get upstream. When the current is 3 MPH, not much sense in trying.
I also have a 12 foot Old Town Pack canoe I use in the DuPage. A kayak will get hung up too much (DuPage is smaller and shallower water). I pole the canoe upstream. In fact I don't even carry a paddle anymore - just use the pole up and downstream. You can pole upstream in a 3 mph current without much fuss. Also can go upstream in shallower water as the canoe makes a bow wave to ride higher.
Having both to fish from works out great. I never anchor - too much trouble. If you get snagged, or sometimes when you have a fish on it can cross your anchor line. On the DuPage I will frequently beach the canoe and wade.
Dave
