Come prepared

This season has already been one for the record books.  It began exceptionally late with water levels as high as we’ve ever seen.  Docks are underwater and rivers are flowing fast.  We seemed to go from winter to summer without spring and now the last few days we’ve seen more April weather with frost yesterday morning in some areas. 

With the cool temps and lots of standing water, we have perfect conditions for mosquito breeding. The mosquito population is thriving or should I say horrendous. I can honestly say I don’t recall seeing them as bad as they are right now.  

I suggest you bring lots of bug spray and perhaps mosquito head nets or bug jackets.  Of course, mosquito coils or other methods of eliminating those that follow you into the cabin is advisable.  Our cabins do have window screens, screen porches and we have screened in fish cleaning houses.  But those pesky biting machines will ride in with you so be prepared. 

One group I checked on last week were even wearing their bug nets in the boat.  The mosquitos are bad.  Be prepared.  There is no requirement to catch and release mosquitos so feel free, while you are here, to take home as many as you can carry.  I hear that with a little batter and deep fried they are very tasty.

On the bright side, fishing is awesome and yesterday one boat on Seseganaga Lake landed a 31 inch walleye as well  as a 43 inch northern.  Both were live released back to the water. 

Itchius Bitingus

Last night I killed my first mosquito of the year. Actually I think I sent a few dozen into the next life, but after the first I generally loose count. I have to admit that with the cold temps this spring, the first Itchius Bitingus (my own scientific sounding term for mosquitoes) caught me by surprise and nearly knocked me over when it landed. The first batch of the year seem to be of the XXXL variety.

I quickly came to my senses and with the help of a nearby spade, managed a lethal blow to its mid thorax and insured at least 3000 more eggs would not be laid.

I bring this tid bit of experience to your attention not to deter your trip but to remind you to pack two essentials - bug spray with Deet and “Pic Coils”. Bug spray is worth at least 50 red chips when playing Texas Hold’um and the Pic Coils can make the Texas Hold’um possible if you’ve left the door open too long. We have done our part as well in helping over come this flying beast. According to Wikipedia window screens, introduced in the 1880s, were called "the most humane contribution the 19th century made to the preservation of sanity and good temper."

We have installed screens on the windows to allow fresh air and hold the biters outside.

If no one in the group remembered bug dope, or you all fail read this blog, you might want to learn the “Ignace Duck”. The Ignace Duck works really well on Black flys too!