It has been a few years since I have been to the Argo/Darky area but I have been there four times in the last fifteen years. I am an avid fisherman and, while I like to paddle and camp, fishing is the reason for my trips to Quetico. I have not found a great campsite on Wicksteed, the few that I have camped on have been adequate at best. The fishing on Wicksteed is wonderful for pike and also large largemouth bass. There is a great campsite on Darky on the island right across from the portage from Wicksteed. I have found the Darky River to be very good for smallmouth in the first two pools heading northwest from Darky. I like to flyfish with hairbugs and we have always done well there in June. The majority on the Darky River between Minn and Darky is usually too shallow to harbor many fish. Of course, always fish the pools above and below a rapids. I would be remiss if I didn't recomend that you visit Argo, the prettiest lake I have ever seen. I has some nice Lake Trout fishing and some Smallmouth (the Smallmouth are the same pretty shade of green as the water). If you want some fast Smallmouth action make sure to hit the arm of Argo that leads to Roland. One of my favorite routes through this area was through Bottle portage, through the west end of Crooked and up into Argo. If you really wanted to you could reach a nice island campsite in the middle of Argo for lunch (of course you would be hurrying and miss enjoying the beautiful twin falls of Rebecca and impressive Curtain Falls). If you entered the area from the south you could then leave floating down the Darky River on your way out.

Posted by Will V on February 27, 2002 at 19:02
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