Going in at entry point #30 on June 10th, '04. First time out of that area. Trying to make it to Insula after about an 8 hour paddle. Staying at one site for three nights and paddle out on the fifth day. Would we be better off skipping the last portage into Insula and staying in Hudson? Hoping for good walleye fishing, and a campsite good enough for three nites. Planning on pushing off about 8:00 am on thursday the 10th.
Thanks for any info

You can make it to Insula easily in that time frame. We did it last June and we stopped and fished several places on the way to Insula. We stayed at a campsite in the northeast corner just after you enter the chute where the Kawishiwi River enters the main lake. It was a nice campsite protected from a lot of wind, gave you great access to daytrip into Alice or Fishdance. As you go through the chute, turn right and look on the left as you start up the river. The campsite is on a point. Heard and saw a grouse there too. That is the only place I have stayed on Insula. There are many other good site too.
On Hudson, I've stayed at the first site on the left up the north arm. It too is a good site. Caught a bunch of nice walleye where the Kawishiwi River runs into Hudson, there is a deep pocket by some boulders as you are looking up the river. It has a bunch of timber piled around it. Caught some nice 4 - 5 lb walleye there. Remember to photograph the big ones and turn them loose, keep the smaller ones to eat. Any other specifics just reply or e-mail me at bruce_conley@yahoo.com

Bruce
Good Paddling, Great Fishing and God Bless All...

Yes, if your out that way... check out Fishdance for the pictographs! Fishing in Alice lake isn't too shabby either.

Hex

I'll be going in on #30 on June 5th for 4 nights with my 10 yr old daughter & church group with mix of age, abilities and interests - some fishing, some paddling & site seeing, some interested in hiking. We actually have 2 groups going in. For the less adventurous group, I'm thinking about a base camp on Lake 3, preferably an island site, and doing day trips from there. Any suggestions on good island campsites? Fishing side trips? Is Lake 3 pretty busy?

For the adventurous group, I'm thinking of a loop from Lakes 1-2-3-4 thru Insula - Kiana - Thomas - Ima - Disappointment - Snowbank (will leave vehicle shuttle). Would like to stay on Thomas for last 2 nights (possible hiking side trip). But I'm worried about whether we can make that last leg from Thomas to Snowbank in under 5 hours at a moderate pace. We'd like to be off water by noonish. If not, then maybe we'd stay on Ima Lake. Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill Ehlenbeck

From Thomas to Snowbank there are 11 portages, ranging from 5 rods where if the water is high you can pull or paddle through to 50 rods from Hatchet Creek to Ima, 55 rods from Jordan to Cattyman (there is a cool waterfall between Cattyman and Gibson if you have the time to see it) 45 rods between Adventure and Jitterbug, (landing on itter bug can be difficult to see), 25 rods from Ahsub to Disappointment and the last 140 rods from Disappointment to Snowbank. All of the portages were in good shape and not too steep or muddy. So depending on how much stuff you have, if you have to double portage, and even water levels you should be able to do it if you maintain a steady pace get an early start, watch for winds and waves from motorboats on Snowbank as the day gets later.
I did that route last year in June, with low water. We went from Lake One to Insula, then to Jordan, and stayed the last night on Disappointment and went out early the next morning. We stayed a couple of nights at each spot. We stayed for 8 days. Going in on June 20th this years and doing the route in reverse, going from Snowbank to Fraser and do some day tripping then back out for several days at Disapointment. Primarily concentrating on fishing. Need any more specifics e-mail me at bruce_conley@yahoo.com.

Bruce
Good Paddling, Great Fishing, and God Bless All...

Thats my favorite place to go in! We are planning for may 17th at entry #30. Insulla is well worth the portage, fishing is great there.
Theres lots more space and less people!
Hope I helped!
happy paddling

By all means don't stop on Hudson. The portage into Insula is 120 rods. Uphill at both ends but not brutal. Insula is beautiful! Bays and islands abound and even during busy times there seems to be relative seclusion when your tucked away in a back bay. Spring walleye fishing is awesome!! Bring some shad raps and hang on. Plenty of very nice camp sites. A five star favorite of mine is on the north end by the narrows that lead to the portages to Kiana and Alice Lakes. Nice sand landing. Big open tent pitching opportunites. Main camp area is about 15-20 ft above the water with a big west veiw. Good chance for seeing moose. We have also listened to the wolves howl on occasion.

My father and I have taken many trips to the BWCA. We have done all different lengths of trips to all different lakes. The top favorite of all time has been the trips to Insula.

We start on Lake One, right off of the K. Lodge, and head straight for Insula. It was a long paddle and wasn't too hard, just long. We had a lot of wind on our way in there, so when getting into the open our canoes didn't really stand a chance.

The portage into Inslua isn't that bad. Long, and doesn't seem to end, but not bad. The uphill and then the downhill isn't too bad. Just make sure to put lots of bug juice on before heading into the portage. I didn't do that and had so many bites that day I looked like I had chicken pox. It is VERY VERY VERY worth the work.

Insula is gorgeous, there are so many camp sites and its so big. We have never had any problems finding a camp site on Insula.

Good luck! And be Safe!!!

I'm really glad to hear so many people like Insula as much as me. We will check out some of the campsites listed on our next trip there.

Aug