I am trying to figure out where to take my trip next summer. The last couple of years I've been to Insula but I would like to try some new territory this year(has nothing to do with the fire). I am thinking of going to Fraser or Thomas and looking for some walleye fishing. I was wondering if Fraser is possible to get to in a day, and what would be the best route. I am guessing Snowbank would be the best entry. Anybody have any advice?

Thanks

I passed through and camped Fraser and Sagas a few times circling from Knife, Ensign or Insula and very much like the area. I doubt you can make it in one day unless you really push and then late arrival risks no camp sites. The area makes a great 2 night base on a 5 day loop.
Check out some trip reports using the search feature.

you can make it to fraser in a day we got a tow to ensign and double portaged we were on fraser by late afternoon. It was a long day but not unbearable. When are you going?

I'm thinking of going mid to late June, I always like the time around fathers day weekend. Where did you put in at and who did you get a tow through. I read your trip report mcsweem and I am very interested in going to Fraser. A couple years ago I was planning on going there(I've read about the walleyes on Sagus) but the timing was not right and I ended up going to Insula(I happened to get a canceled permit for Lake One) I certainly had good fishing on Insula, I would just like to try a new lake.

Any other information you have would be greatly appreciated.

My Bad maybe it wasn't a trip report but your post

sagus is a good walleye lake we went over one evening and caught 15 to 20 walleyes from 15 to 19 inches in about an hour it was crazy. Shoot me an e-mail if you want to pick my brain. We got our tow from latourell's to splash lake.

Took the wife all the way to Thomas in one day on her first trip ever... on a windy day!
She survived and went back with me. Frasr is the next lake over so I do believe it can be done. The thing to watch for is wind on Snowbank and Ima. The landing from Ima to Hatchett Creek can be tricky if the wind is blowing the wrong way hard. Also, lots of small, short portages from lake to lake and along the creek that are a pain. But it can be done!

Bruce

Bruce: where did you put in? Snowbank or Moose with a tow?

BigMac, seems you are driven to do it in one day. I recall youth and that drive so go for it. My nephew and I pushed hard from the north end of Thomas to the entry point at Splash traveling from 8am-5pm and no stops. We had whitecaps against us on Ima and Ensign but we were traveling light and pumped with adrenaline from the close encounter with the fire that chased us off Insula the afternoon before. Travel in allows the prevailing winds at your back, out at your front so plan accordingly for entrance and exit. Also recall this is a major travel route and that time of year portages can get busy slowing you down.
I enjoy the trip and the routes into Thomas and Fraser have much to offer. That time of year is busier and while you are pretty deep in the better camp sites may be taken. Mcsweem is right about walleye on Sagas, a very private lake off travel routes and in general a very nice area. Arkansas Man is also right about that portage out of Ima. Not so bad if someone is willing to go into the water, but limited access and steep. If busy it can be a real hassle.
So go for it. Me, I will take a nice paddle, sit in the rock chair in the falls at Cattyman, probably camp on the island on Ima if available and have a nice morning trip through the high rock passage of Hatchet Creek enjoying the water lilies and swaying water grasses, then along the north edge of Thomas, through the cut into Fraser and on into Sagas where I can have time to set camp and fish while I enjoy the solitude and look forward to a nice walleye dinner that night.

We started at Smitty's on Snowbank a resort where we spent the night prior to entering, and we did not use a tow. We went through Disappointment, Ahsub, Jitterbug, Adventure, Cattyman, (if you go this way go see the falls) Jordan, Ima, Hatchett Creek, to the pond, and then Thomas and it is a paddle through to Fraser.

I think it is 12 portages to Thomas unless the water is high enough for you to pull through a few. Adventure to Cattyman for example, and some of the ones on Hatchett Creek you can wade and pull through.

Bruce

I would go as far as Ima, or even Hatchet the first day, and then push on to Fraser. Hatchet has walleyes, so you could fish there the first night. As said before Sagus is good for walleyes, and don't overlook Shepo. Shepo is shallow, but holds walleyes, and pike. I love the Thomas/Fraser area. Lots of possibilities on this route

Your right bhouse46 my goal would be to make it to Fraser in a day. With vacation time at a premium for me I like to get on the water early go as for as I can go in one day and set up base camp and fish for 3-4 days and head back out. Besides that my teenage son who is my #1 paddeling partner is not interested in setting up camp for the night and then tearing down to move on the next day. I would certainly like to take my time but for know it works for me.

Thanks for all the info

Thomas Frazier

Enjoy: SunCatcher

I went to Thomas from Lake One. I stopped on Insula for a few days before going to Thomas. It took me 11 hours plus from Thomas to Lake One on the return trip. I suggest whichever route you pick to make it a two day trip Frazier. I went in late June and did have ok walleye fishing on Thomas. There is a big underwater rock pile reef in the middle of the south eastern part of lake plus islands to fish around. It is a clear water lake and not the walleye factory of Insula.

Have also made the trip from Snowbank to Fraser in a day.

I've been thinking about proposing this route to our group for this year and was researching distance the other day to see how doable it is in 1 day. Google Maps distance measuring tool is great for this btw. I mapped out two routes.

Snowbank to SW Fraser:
14 miles, 12 portages, 466 rods total, longest 114.

Moose to SW Fraser via tow to Splash:
13.5 miles, 12 portages, 416 rods total, longest 112.

It's actually very similar in mileage to Insula, which we did in 2010, but about twice the portaging distance. For the last couple of years 2mph to/from basecamp has been a good guideline for us double portaging, although last year we worked hard and went from Ogish to Seagull in 4 hours averaging about 3mph.

To answer your questions:

Yes Fraser is doable in a day but use the advice of others for a possible back up plan if the wind or weather doesn't cooperate. The fastest route I have found is Snowbank--Disappointment from there on.

I'd expect to get there late lunch or early afternoon if you get an early start.

T