Ditto on the current in Sturgeon Narrows, especially THAT time of year.  Shouldn't even figure in. ST is right re: Oliphaunt camps; your best bet there might be the one on the northern shore, just east of the portage... and that's nothing to write home about.  Also, while those 3 small portages he mentions may actually consume more time, that option is by far the prettier way to go and you may see swans there, if they're still hanging around.  If it's an especially dry year, you might do better exiting via Oliphaunt & Bisk vs. Deux Rivieres, which could be a mud slog.

Either way, plan to get an early start on Pickerel Lake whether it's south-to-north OR west-to-east.  Afternoon breezes may give you more excitement than you really want.

Like PJ and ST, I know all of your route pretty well.  If there you have particularly nagging questions about specific lakes, just drop me a PM and I'll be happy to share what I can remember or have kept notes on.

Later,

Jimbo   8-)