My 2 cents. I would use a 3-man canoe, and plan to rotate seating assignments.
I would head south from Nym to fish Jesse and lakes enroute to Sturgeon. You could base camp a few days on Sturgeon then do the Deax. I would skip the exit at Stanton and continue to French. Chances are good that you'll experience the thrill of a rising tailwind, another reason for a big canoe.

As of now we only have 2 "for-sure," and the 3rd is a maybe, so a decision might not even be necessary.  That said, I'm surprised by all of the advice for a 3 person canoe.  Just seems like it would be really tight, and too difficult for 3 people to fish at once.  Especially of one of the guys is big/tall type. 

What about this - If money wasn't a concern, and we weren't really worried about the expense of hiring a guide as a 4th, would you still have the same opinion?  Our concern is just getting the best possible fishing experience for the money.  I don't get to make these trips that often because of work, so when I do the cost isn't really a concern.  The last time I was in quetico will have been 13 years ago; the last time I went on any fishing trip will be 4 years. 

Regards to the route - we're open to Old Salt's suggested trip - we had considered this too.  We also considered doing completely different things (clay to Kawnipi, exiting either poets or Saganaga).  I guess the deciding factor would be this - how is the fishing in the maligne/lower sturgeon???  The last trip we did Stanton-to-Nym, so we are familiar with that area and the pickerel narrows.  Fishing was great there, but we thought we would go deeper into the park and attempt to get access to more remote fishing this time. 

If you guys think the fishing will be "pretty much the same" or "even better" doing Old Salt's suggested route, then I think we wouldn't bother with the cost/effort of going through maligne.  We would also consider any other suggestions.  Thoughts?

Thanks again.

John,

If you are hiring a guide, who just happens to be your 4th person, the number of canoes ceases to be an issue IMO.  If it's the fishing you're after, you're paying for the expertise.  Find a good recommended guide and start exploring some planning options with the guide as to routes, species, remote lakes, etc. - THAT is what you pay a guide for.  I've never used one, so I don't have any recommendations.

As far as a 3 man boat, I have had very few trouble fishing 3 at a go.  A tangle or two now and then when trolling, but few.  Casting or jigging should be no issue with a few ground rules about etiquette and safety.  Normally I stern and my bow and duffer will paddle on the same side and fish the other when trolling.  Again, a little coordination is good, like everyone else reels in when a fish is on...though we have had triple hook-ups on occasion!  It gets exciting. 

As far as room goes, big and tall may be a challenge, but not much more than in a tandem.  For a tall or large person, the bow is always tight, esp. leg room width-wise.  The tallest should stern for most comfort....IF a competent paddler.  Try a MINN III out locally with 3 if you have the ability to do so or at least go see one at a dealer - and take your gear.  Leg room in the center can be tight, but you can stretch your legs out on either side of the pack ahead of you, which is in front of the portage yoke.  All the storage is b/w the yoke and bow paddler.  Three large packs will fit fine IF you practice TMS control (Too Much SH......tuff) - ie no chairs, one shared tackle box, no coolers, easy on the 'fresh' foods, light weight gear, etc.  On this summer's 9 day for 3, we got three people's personal gear and two tents in one GG Superior 1 (I'd go with a GG#4 next time), two 30L food barrels side by side in a GG#4 and the rest of the crew gear (fuel, stoves, saw, rope, tableware, pots, rain tarp, etc.) in a traditional Food pack.  The BWJ Guide pack held the tackle bag, water bottles, first aid kit, toilet kit, lunch, rain gear and bug repellent/sun screen.  It sat b/w the duffer seat and rear thwart, providing somewhat of a backrest for the duffer (bonus!).  If you take a lot of 'conveniece' items or excessiver tackle, it will get pretty tight.  I'll allow 4 people and two canoes does give you quite a break on the room for gear. 

Most of my food is 'grocery store' stuff carefully selected, so don't think it's all light weight backpacking foods.  I've elminated all but a few tasty dehydrated desert items.  Most of my crew will claim they eat better on the trip than at home.  Fresh steaks, Chicken with tomato basil pesto, eggs/bacon, Salmon pesto pasta with olives, artichokes and sun dried tomatoes, fish chowder, hot apple cobbler, tuna/apple flatbread sandwiches, french toast...just to whet your appetite.

I think if you don't get up there often and are 'pulling out all the stops' it can make a guide's experience worth it for you.  There should be plenty of advice on that here on QJ too.  And if you want to maximize the fishing...minimize the stuff and simplify your menu.

pd

Granted I have limited experience vs 2 strong tandem paddlers but I have not noticed a huge difference between solo vs tandem. Perhaps you could put the 2 weaker paddlers in a tandem and 1 stronger paddler in a solo and get acceptable results.

Wind might factor into the equation if your going during shoulder months. Just a thought........

I'm not so keen on 3 in a boat......that could get old real quick. Plus with the solo anyone could take it out whenever they wanted without requiring cooperation from someone else who might be interested in doing something else. Flexibility!

I have been on a couple of trips where a Minnesota II was used as a 3 person.  Very crowded, and less fishing freedom, both in movement and choice of water to cover.  It is an advantage in portages, but that is it.  A good paddler in a solo can keep up with a tandem unless both paddlers in the tandem and strong and experienced.  When I solo I use a twin blade break-down canoe paddle as my primary travel paddle, and a single blade for fishing and navigating rapids.  The twin blade paddles are very efficient.