I was wondering if any of you fellow BWCA paddlers have gone north from Insula, through Kiana, Thomas, Hatchet, Ima, Jordan, Cattyman, Gibson to Ashigan. I was wondering what the portages were like and how long you would suggest to take to do it. Also, how was fishing along the way. Thanks for any help...

A few fishing notes for your trip. Kiana has some decent pike fishing. Thomas is a very clear lake and has some good laker action and walleyes. Hatchet is a good walleye lake. Ima is a pretty lake but don't bother fishing it.

I would head from Insula up to Hatchet or Ima for the first day. On Hatchet, try your luck for walleye on the west shore across from the campsite. Ashigan would be a good choice for a base camp. Nice smallie action! And good lakes for fishing on day trips too.

I don't know if this will help much but I've been across Jordan, Ima, Hatchet, and Thomas in that order.... it took about a day from Ima up to a lake Northwest of Thomas... but that was including dilly dally and fishing. We also plan on comming around there this year in a round about way. I seem to recal that there was a little difficulty finding the portage off Ima to Hatchet, but comming the other way you should be fine(really rough waters added to that). Hatchet's got eye's and pike... and when the others are whitecapping, it's pretty calm. Ima's got eye's and lakers. Jordan supposedly has a pictograph on it but I've yet to find it.

Have fun.
Hex

Great route. I have done the Lake One entry and worked up and through all the lakes you mentioned and left the BW via Snowbank. Of course there is the long walk back to the Lake One landing to retrieve the truck. The two most dificult portages are on either side of Insula. The rest of the trip is not difficult. The Kek trail crosses the portage between Thomas and Hatchet and provides some good day hike possibilities. The south site on the island on Thomas is one of my favorites. Jordan and Hatchet are the other lakes I like to stay on. Both are small and quiet. I ussually try to make it to Insula the first day, then move on to Thomas the next, for a couple of days. I have made it out from Thomas to Snowbank in one day but would prefer to do it in two. Nine portages from Thomas out is a little more energetic than I care for personally.

We had a great trip last year when we did that route. This year we are going from SnowBank to Thomas for a few days and then comiing back to Disappointment for a few days fishing. We are doing a couples trip this year... I am bringing my fiance and my friend is bringing his new wife... first trip for both of them... we figured if we got the longest portage out of the way first they would do fine on the other shorter portages... Wanting to catch some lakers on Thomas, Fraser or Ima...

Bruce