Lots of bites at the Canal.

[Saltheart]

Skeeters are definitely part of the Canal equation.

I like to wear something with long sleeves and a hood. It can be hot but if you choose the materials , and fish at night , its usually tolerable. I also spray the bug repelent around the edge of the hood. It keeps most bugs off me without getting it on my skin. I do have to spray my hands directly though.

Sometimes them buggers will bite right through your pants so sometimes you have to spray the outside of your cloths.

Anyway , you want to minimize the number of bites if possible because skeeters carry some nasty diseases. Some that can even kill you.

[FishermanTim]

I was out on Heard Pond in my kayak last night, and I only got bit twice. The problem wasn't as bad as I thought, that is until I turned on my flashlight, and then I saw just how bad this year is shaping up to be.
I had liberally applied the bug spray on my clothes and myself, leaving no spot uncovered and uncoated (or so I thought).
The damm skeeters kept after me once the sun set, and kept looking for that one hole in my defenses. They found spots just below my right shoulder blade and elbow. Other than that, they weren't that bad. The fishing was good, so it offset the skeeters buzzing around my ears.

The problem was when I turned on the flashlight (1 mill candlepower) and it looked like I was in the middle of a winter flurry of mosquitos!
I don't think there could ever be enough fish to take care of that many bugs in any one pond!

Thank goodness I picked up a second can of bug spray this spring, because I'm going to need it!

[Mike P]

They're effing relentless. I'm not allergic to their anti-coagulant that causes the bumps and itching, so I never really know when I've been eaten alive unless I feel them biting me. Which is a two-edged sword because I would venture to guess that I'm not immune to EEE or West Nile.

Last night was brutal--it was unbearably humid and you have to wear long sleeves and a heavy enough fabric to prevent them from biting you right through it--which means you sweat like a claimer in a stakes race and wear off the repellant in 20 minutes. Sweating DEET into your eyes and mouth is a real treat, too

The non-DEET sprays are for crap IMO.

[luds]

I'm a wuss so I just bought one of these things for that exact reason. I wear a glove on my casting hand anyway so when they're really bad I'll probably wear one on my left hand.

[Back Beach]

You guys are just trying to scare everyone off...

[crisco]

I had one of those Buffs on the other weekend, I wear them alot. They work pretty well and are not too hot.

You get some strange looks though when the sun comes up!

[Circlehook]

The fog was great on sunday night as it kept them away, but they where there heavy last night, the fog came in again right about the turn at midnight, but the damage was done.

I had long sleeves and 100% deet that I applied like it was shampoo.

[Chris in Mass]

Originally Posted by luds

I'm a wuss so I just bought one of these things for that exact reason. I wear a glove on my casting hand anyway so when they're really bad I'll probably wear one on my left hand.

I second this. Been wearing one down there all year. With a hat and glasses to boot, you don't need much spray to get your head and neck fully protected. I've been looking into those light fingerless gloves the fly guys wear for the sun... A real wuss, but I can't take it...

[luds]

Originally Posted by Chris in Mass

I second this. Been wearing one down there all year. With a hat and glasses to boot, you don't need much spray to get your head and neck fully protected. I've been looking into those light fingerless gloves the fly guys wear for the sun... A real wuss, but I can't take it...

Maybe your the guy that motivated me to buy one. I was fishing the cape side last Tuesday and this dude(maybe you) made fun of himself for wearing it. I hit EMS right after work to buy one. I just see myself swallowing some skeeters and can't handle the thought of it.

[Saltheart]

Pray for some wind. Justa little wind knocks the skeeter problem down quickly. Unfortunately , there is often not a breath of wind on the worst hot humid nights.

I forgot to mention I have an LLbean hat that has a netthat hangs down to your kneck. It has a funny sort fo wire in it that gives it the hat shape when open but alolows it to be twisted and crunched down to a very small size that fits in you jacket pocket.

I used to be able to buy a Cutters brand repellant that you applied like a stick deodorant. It was nice because you could do you face without getting it in your mouth and on your lips. Haven't seen it in a while but I bet somebody knows where to buy it. Its much better than the airosol spray IMO.