Spring 2025

[T-Bone]

Well...my nephew Mattie and cousin Marco broke me down and against my better sensibilities, we're heading back up to Kipawa in late-May 2025.

Yes, I agreed with them...the fishing Mattie and I experienced this past May was some of the best I'd ever seen on Kipawa in terms of numbers AND size. It was ridiculous. But I passionately reminded them how bad the black flies were and how I looked like a beaten and busted welted ogre after only 4-days. Almost drove me insane.

So...I've been doing much research on how to ward-off those little black buggers and I've learned two things. Cover head-to-toe in clothing leaving NO exposed skin including your face...OR...stay inside. That's it.
Wonderful.

Certainly somebody out here knows some little-known way to keep them things from eating me up. If so...let me know. Some interesting things I've heard and read lately include:

Eat garlic by the pound
No scented anything - - especially soap
Put Vick's VapoRub around hat brim
Wear a full head gaiter and goggles
Use Permathrin and picaridin sprays
Stay home
Quit whining and stop being a wimp

I think those last two are the only real choices...so I guess I know what that means.

199....
 

[Fort Wisers]

Quite honestly what has worked for me is the following:

- I skip the suits etc because they cause me to sweat profusely which makes everything less enjoyable (and the heat attracts more bugs)
- I skip the spray as I find it doesn't really do much when the bugs are out in full force and again find it uncomfortable
- Don't bathe for a few days (I know sounds gross but it is what it is)
- No deodorant (yes, same as above)
- Grin and bear it, this sounds like stupid advice but the more you swat at them the more they are attracted to you
- If they are really bad and you're so inclined, smoke a cigar (you don't even have to really smoke it, the smoke just seems to help)

The above said, some people just seem to be "more attractive" to the bugs, in which case I have no good advice.
Good luck and happy planning.
Brent

[RickOnt]

I gotta agree with Fort Wisers re suits and spray


However if the bugs are really getting to you

I would recommend   Watkins Great Outdoors  for a spray or an ointment

I think you can get it at the Home Hardware in Temiscaming or Pronature

As for a bug jacket   Use the "Original Bug Jacket"

Its made in Powasson If you gooogle it you can order one

Generally the bugs do not bother me much But if they do I have both on hand

Have a fun trip
Get the big Guy

[RHYBAK]

 stick with the last two.

fishing on kipawa over rides any bug issues

[penner]

I would recommend the jacket from Powassan. I know it probably wouldn't matter to you Guys , but yes, you can drink beer through the mesh.

[NortonJoe]

I'll start out by saying that the mosquitos generally don't bother me but the black flies are brutal. One of the reasons we go at the end of July is to escape the worst of the bugs.  However, in my humble opinion, the only thing you can do is cover up and tough it out. A little high concentration DEET around your neck and ankles helps a lot...if you wanna lather up with that crap. But who cares? It's Kipawa!!