1st off you guys have really motivated me (Congrats Housty on a successful trip) over this winter to get serious about doing my 1st summer solo (i did a 4 day winter solo and hiked into west piked in January and cold camped. I did great and had a blast) now it's only a short time away. Leaving on the 3rd and I think I'm pretty prepared. You guys always give great advice and I need some more. What do you guys think. I'm leaving from Lake one and the plan was to do a big loop through Insula,Alice,Thomas .Up to The lakes through Kek and then on to knife and back down to Snowbank. I've got 11 full days. I was maybe thinking about getting up to The South Arm of knife and turning back around and going back the same way I came instead of heading down to Snowbank. Do I have enough time to get plenty of fishing in if I turn around and go back the other way ? . I want to fish as much as humanly possible and if I double back my fishing opportunitys are a bit better if I spend most of my time between the south arm and Insula I'm thinking. Am I pushing it with only 11 days and would I have to sacrifice a lot of fishing time with this idea.
After my last post I really cut me gear list down but still will need to double portage. Thanks...

If I were on the south arm of knife I would figure one day exit via Moose, perhaps two to go out Snowbank due to extra portaging. It would be three long day's travel back through Thomas, Insula and back to Lake One. I used Canoe Country Outfitters on Moose Lake and did that trip coming out Moose. They shuttled me back to Lake One and I drove back to get my stuff at their base.
The nice thing about solo or any tripping is making adjustments along the way. See how it goes and pick exit accordingly; just let someone know you have options in mind.

I think that trip gives you a lot of options. I'd evaluate the situation as you go and make decisions on the fly. It's doable, but you'll know better how things are going into the trip. Lake 1 to knife lake is a jaunt. I'd shoot for it and back down if it becomes apparent your going to cut into your fishing time to much.

I'd pick a couple good fishing lakes to lay over on. Constantly on the move means time to set up and break camp when you could be out fishing. I'd take Nctry's advice and just let the trip unfold naturally. The great thing about going solo is you can do however you feel at that moment. Wanna layover? no prob. Wanna sleep in? No prob. Wanna fish all day? Do it!

I'd also put in a little adventure and pick out a no name lake with no portage to it and take your boat and a daypack and bushwhack in there and see what's biting. I did this once in the Q and was rewarded with largemouth bass till my arms hurt.

I'd agree with bhouse and nctry to just play it by ear and make whatever adjustments you want as you go. You never really know how it's all going to go anyway - weather and everything else. The best laid plans of mice and men . . .

In the past I've had a tendency to try to cram so much into a trip that I end up working so hard to complete it all that I forget to just enjoy the trip.

I usually do as bhouse suggested and leave the alternatives I might consider along with my planned route.

I'm sure you'll have a memorable trip and will learn a lot! I'll look forward to hearing all about it, wv.

Hit and run (paddle) fishing is well...hit and miss. In my experience anyway.

Great advice to play it by ear. There are a few portages that will knock your socks off. The Kek Ponds bring bad memories. Not for distance, but just sheer in/out/in/out numbers followed by a energy sucking headwind and a campsite search that lasted quite some time. Some great sights to see on your loop.

I think you have plenty of time. You should be able to get to Alice in the first day. Hit the rapids just south of Alice on the river for the walleye that hang there.

Check out my trip report for a solo starting/ending @ Moose Lake. Similar lakes.