I'd be interested in hearing firsthand experience regarding water levels in the north end of Quetico.  I've heard second hand reports that levels are about average to somewhat high.   In one week I plan to be paddling through Deux Rivieres so I am particularly interested in that passage (water level, beaver dams, etc.).  I suspect it's in pretty good shape.

Also, I might consider an exit via the "B" Chain.  Any comments re: current status of portages would be welcomed.

I expect to be down in the vicinity of upper Sturgeon most of next week.

Thanks.

Jimbo.  8-)

Jimbo,
I found water levels to be on the low side of average.  big lakes like sturgeon are a foot or maybe foot and a half low - smaller lakes about full;  creeks are on the low side, but not drastically - travelled down Lonely Creek no problem; Cutty Creek quite low above Eag.  makes for tougher landings, but not too bad.

went upstream on Deux Rivieres June 14th - on the low side but not too bad.  did have to pull over 3 beaver dams that in higher water I would have paddled over - dams were about a foot above water level.

portages were generally dry and free of blowdown - portage crews had cleared most of the ones I travelled, and it did not look like a lot of blowdown anywhere.

water temps 70 degrees or more!

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Also, I might consider an exit via the "B" Chain.

I can't help with current water levels, but if you go back thru the B chain, I would take the short little river portages into Oliphaunt and fish at each one for Smallies.
 
That portage from there to Fern isn't one to underestimate depending on how your back is doing?
 
Same with the one from Bisk to Pickerel.
Both felt MUCH longer to me when I went thru last year than listed. Well maintained though.

Mad_Mat,

Thanks!  That report is very helpful. Three 1-foot beaver dams shouldn't be too much trouble, even if they've grown to 18 inches by the time we paddle through.  I wish my nephew had more time so we could get down into Cutty Creek; I love that area.  Oh, well.  70 degree water temps... wow!  Good swimming if the fishing doesn't pan out, anyway!

ST,

Interesting you should mention those short little river portages.  I was planning to do those as part of a day trip "loop."  Start on Sturgeon, portage directly into Oliphaunt, fish LT en route to a walleye hot hole on  the east side of that lake, then loop back to camp via those short portages.  I've not done those before & I've heard it's really pretty in there.  Might even have been in one of your posts that I read about it.

Also, based on another one of your posts (as well as some by Westwood), I was considering the possibility of doing another day trip loop that would have me: portaging into Ram, fishing Ram, heading back to camp on Sturgeon via that stream on the NE corner.

Re: those B Chain portages, I hear you.  I've done those a few times before (meaning BEFORE my left hip turned to crap; the "back" was crap but at least now it is rehabbed crap... it'll hold).  At least if we choose to exit that way our food pack will be lighter!  Chances are we'll head out the way we came in, though.

Much obliged, guys!

Jimbo   8-)

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I was planning to do those as part of a day trip "loop."

That would be the way to go IF you don't exit thru the B chain?
  The hardest part of those short river portages is just loading and unloading your canoe. One trip across would be nothing.

Nice landings on the river, except for one "bank' takeout/put-in but that might be different than when I went last fall due depending on water levels?