I have been on the route you are thinking several times (in fact last year I did the river route). If want to go through Wickstead to Darky then do not go up the river it will take alot longer than doing th portage from Pond. Darky has some very good trout fishing off the islands on the north west end of the lake. There are also some very good campsites there. If you want walleyes then fish Ballard. Ballard also has both large and smallmouth bass. Wickstead is a very good pike lake. That time of year the river will not offer a whole lot of fish (some smallmouth).

I would suggest that you do a loop: Go pond to wickstead the first day, and fish for northerns and bass. If you like it stay another day. Then move to Darky or Argo (Argo is an amazing place) and fish trout for a day or two. Then move to Middle Roland and fish walleye and Smallmouth. Then head out crooked through Curtain Falls and out of Iron via the bottle river and get picked up at bottle portage. This is an easy 7 day trip with lots of fishing time. The first and last day will be the only days that you have a some distance to cover. Middle Roland to bottle portage is about a 3 hour paddle, unless you have a real strong headwind. Bring Salted Fathead and leaches for Walleyes and Frozen Shiners for the Trout. The shinners will last several days once they thaw if you keep them cool and out of the sun, but I would try to do your trout fishing earlier in the trip. If you can find (or make) a trout lure called a cowbell bring them along. They are easy to fish and on a sunny day the trout can't resist them.

On another note. Macree has excellent trout and walleye fishing. If you cross Macree troll a deep diving rappala as you go and be ready. Rolland has very good trout fishing in the narrows and around the south west island and has a good population of Smallmouth. Argo has lots of trout that run smaller but fight hard. Darky and Macree have the biggest trout. Ballard has the biggest walleyes. Wickstead is loaded with pike (your hands will be the proof after a day fishing there - you can easily catch 30 pike per day). Middle Rolland has chunky walleyes. Crooked has lots of everything and you can spend a whole trip fishing it but the wind can get interesting on the west end during the summer at midday. It is best to cross early in the morning or later in the day. The current below Curtain Falls usually offer some good fishing, but it can depend on the time of year.

Good luck

Posted by Trout Scout on April 15, 2002 at 10:00
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