My enjoyment of the insect world is always increased dramatically when I am not the one being sacrificed.
My son and I took a trip in that area in 2016, but went to Birch/Waterclear instead, spending the night on Birch. You saved yourself a lengthy, steady uphill by going to Mink. We did not make it to Mouse, however. We cut our trip a bit short for reasons of my son was too young for a five day trip. I was a little concerned about Mouse because I had read trip reports where people had trouble locating the Club - Mouse portage. Doesn't sound like you had any trouble locating it though.
Regarding the Mink - Club portage though. Well, two things. One, that portage is flat and wide - I would assume because the vehicle that was attached to those fenders on the Club side was used to transport guys & junk from Mink to the obviously haunted cement structure way back when. Two, the flat and easy terrain on that portage makes it all the more embarrassing that I fell with my canoe on it. I went about 34 years between falls with a canoe, and some itty-bitty nub of a root got me. I bruised my pride considerably.
Looking forward to Escape from Bug Island.
