To complain about the bugs would not be very Minnesotan of me— you don’t hear Floridians whining about the heat or Iowans wishing it wasn’t so flat. Deep woods usually means lots of bugs, and that is what we expect to endure for a few weeks each spring in the great North Woods, but this year seems worse.
The biting black flies have erupted this week keeping many people from enjoying the outdoors without some type of protection. A quality head net is essential and any of the varieties of bug dope seem to at least keep the flies from landing on my skin. I saw a lady who had only one inch of skin exposed and you would have had a hard time counting how many bites were in that little area of her exposed wrist.
These flies not only pester by swarming but also can leave a nasty bite mark that can swell and itch affecting some people more than others. I have built immunity to their poison, but it does not stop the little flying mouths from sinking their microscopic teeth into me. I used to fear the mosquitoes each spring, but they have taken a back seat to the pesky little biting flies that seem to have had bumper years for hatching.
Soon enough the bugs will eventually disappear, and we can begin to enjoy the outdoors without nets and chemical concoctions to keep from being eaten alive. Until then, keep covered and avoid the worst times of day, which seems to be any time the wind is calm enough for them to hover.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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