Thinking of going into Rosebary Lake next week. Wondered if anyone has been there recently and can comment on water levels on the Tim River, and whether you could hear logging (re: AFA map indicates Fall harvesting/road construction in that area). Thanks!

Unfortunately I can't help you with the campsite but just be forewarned that there is a very active logging road that runs along that stretch of the river to Radiant. I did Philip to Radiant solo a couple years ago  and heard trucks several times. (I also got buzzed by 2 low flying CAF transport planes just as I entered Radiant - they were certainly louder than the logging trucks!) 

Similar to Shaggy, I use a Lifestraw on a bottle for extended paddling days/hot weather as a supplement to a gravity filter at camp. The Lifestraw is ok, but it can't easily produce the volume I can get from a gravity filter.

On the Luckless to Nipissing portage - it's been a few years since I did it, but other than the length I don't remember anything difficult about it. A fair chunk of the portage follows an old logging road.

Came out on May 12 from the Booth-Dickson-McKaskill loop. Black flies were out at various times but weren't biting till the 11th and even then only rarely. I didn't need a bug shirt when I came out on the 12th. A local cottager I spoke to at the Shall Lake parking lot thought the black flies had been limited by the very high temps (it was 28C when I left Shall Lake). Unfortunately I'm sure the near term forecast for cooler temps and rain will bring out the biting hordes.

Adding to what Uppa said, Altitude also occasionally gives free bonus credit to members. I just used a $15 credit, in addition to the member discount,  to buy some equipment. 

We have a Souris River Prospector 16, and when I turn it around to solo, I often use a 240cm paddle I got on sale a few years ago at MEC. I wouldn't say it gives me a lot more speed, but it does provide much better control on windy open water. I agree with MartinG, a little longer paddle would probably be better, but I couldn't justify an expensive carbon blade, and the 240cm I have is adequate.

On your May/Sept trip question re: Galipo campsites. I was there at the beginning of October this year (in and out from Pen/Welcome). Water levels were very high, almost spring ice out conditions judging from the vegetation under water. In terms of campsites, the West Galipo site is on the portage, has a poor firepit, and the portage put in and take outs are steep. Lots of deciduous trees so might not be a lot of leaf cover in spring - but on the flip side lots of trunks for hammocks. South Galipo is definitely the nicer site, but it's small. Nice flat spot for 1 tent/hammock, or 2 in a pinch, with firepit offering great views over the lake. You can probably fit some hammocks on trees off the path to the thunder box. I think Peek was there not long ago and might have some input. I didn't fish, but there was a family of otters on Little Galipo so there must be something there. One caution  - the 5m portage at the end of North Galipo is really a liftover and then 50m or so wade along the channel heading northwest. Even with high water it was too shallow for me to paddle. Hope this helps - I really enjoyed your Nippissing trip videos!