"KF, I think I've read that that portage is hard to find on Ferguson (or maybe that it was hard to find on the river).  Any comment on that?"


Not the Kingfisher, but I can answer that


both ends are hard to find.  and it isn't all "flat" either.  It is actually two portages with a small pond in between.  The landing on Fergusson is hard to find and not where the Fisher maps show it to be.  It is farther west along the shore and starts at a smallish rock landing.  At the start, it goes almost immediately up a steep hill - up and over to a small pond - maybe a 1/4 mi to the pond, the first port isn't too long.  Paddle across to pick up the trail on the other side.  Then it is a lot of alder swamp to wade thru.  On the river end, there used to be several standing dead trees that were sawn off flat, about 6' above the water - not particularly easy to spot.

I'd agree that water level would likely be ok in August for that lower half of the river - there are about 5 or 6 portages on the way to Kawnipi from there.  That assumes an average water year.