Based on some information given by “rgsii” in a previous thread; I was intrigued with the idea of having my favorite Cabela’s fishing shirt becoming bug proof, so I ordered one of the Sawyer Permethrin kits that require soaking your garment for two hours in the stuff.
I am DELIGHTED to report that the stuff REALLY works!
I now have the bug repellent fishing shirt I always wanted and the treatment should last me through the buggy season. Unfortunately Sawyer doesn’t recommend its use on hats or I would have done my hat too.
If you hate using fly dope like I do; give the Sawyer Permethrin treatment a try. I am very satisfied so far!
Spray that stuff only on the underside of the cap bill - keeps the critters out of your face most of the time. When they get REALLY desperate, I use a Buzz-Off bandana and pull it up over my nose. Deet makes me nauseous, so I avoid it at all costs. Another really good product I’ve found is Cutter Advanced Sport containing Picaridin (got it at Wally World). Really works well for me and doesn’t mess up your fly lines or waders.
WWHHAATT!!! You guys giving up on the big stinky stogies? Better check to see if all those chemicals are flammable before lighting any stogies. I personally prefer JP-4 (jet petroleum #4) but they don’t make it anymore. Used to worry the E.P.A. types too.;):lol: I wonder if soaking myself from the inside out with good bourbon will do the trick?
Seriously I like Cutter products but will probably give permethrin a try.
The stogies aren’t going anywhere no matter how much the wife complains! Internal Bourbon soaking doesn’t help with the bugs, but it does help. Any external Bourbon soaking is usually the result of too much internal Bourbon soaking.
Heritage:
I do the Buzz Off bandanna thing too and that helps as well but I was SO desperate to try it on my hat that I even washed it! But the instructions said no hats or underwear :shock: so I didn’t.
(I’m happy to report after several fishing trips that I didn’t wash the luck out of the hat!!)
I may try some Ultrathon on the bill one of these days. My problem is I am so scared of ruining my equipment with fly dope after I messed up a casting reel once that I never use it no matter how bad the bugs are. I buy the stuff, carry it around but never put it on. I have a 25+ year old bottle of unopened Muskol!
Sawyer has the kit where you soak your garments which is what I used, and a spray. The soak kit even comes with a giant Ziploc bag for the soaking process. While the spray seems simpler, you still have to soak the garment with the spray and let it dry for two hours.
So far I haven’t got those frequent mosquito bites I usually get through my shirt and there doesn’t seem to be as many bugs hanging around me in general. I also hear the stuff repels and KILLS ticks which is a great thing where I fish.
The ONLY bugs that seem unfazed by the stuff are those non-biting but EXTREMELY annoying GIANT houseflies from outer space that call Clark’s Creek home. Those @#*!$ critters drive you crazy with their constant buzzing and landing all over you. Even the stogies don’t keep them away!
I’m thinking of taking a cow along with me the next time I go to Clark’s in the hopes it and its pies may be more attractive to the flies. If that fails, maybe Elsie could whack a few off of me with her tail.
My wife just got me a new Orvis Fishing shirt with the bug off. I will being trying it out on Clarks Creek this weekend. I have also found that spraying the underside of your hat works pretty well. Bam, I agree nothing keeps those big ugly flies from buzzing around…if I see a cow grazing in one of the fields near Clarks I’ll look for you nearby.
“Plant” a fabric softener sheet in your hat band, or under the brim of your hat, and another one in a shirt pocket. Not only will you keep the bugs at bay, you’ll smell good.
Betty,
Men around the world are going to speak your name with the highest respect and honor for all of time to come! Do you realize what you have done? In one feel swoop you just cured one of the most embarrassing symptoms of Swamp A**. The smell!
Think of it guys. Just follow Betty’s advice only instead of putting the dryer sheet into your hat band put it into the back pocket of your pants!
Betty, you are the best! Now where did I put that last bottle of Old Granddad? Hiccup…hee…hee!:lol:
I was just at Christmas Tree Shopes. While my wife was wondering lost and confused, I found a product by 3M. Spray can for $1,99. Says it will stay on the garment for 2 weeks, and a couple washings (I already know what you are thinking). The can is good for 2 sets of clothes, shirt, pants, and socks. Good for tics too.
I use the little “Skeeter Chasers” the electronic things that make a noise like a dragonfly. No mess. Keep in mind that fish do NOT like the smell of bug dope. If you get the stuff on your hands, and change flies… Please don’t wash your hands in the stream, I may be downstream. Relieving yourself in the stream or lake is also not a good idea.
(Quote from Bamboozle);"I do the Buzz Off bandanna thing too and that helps as well but I was SO desperate to try it on my hat that I even washed it! But the instructions said no hats or underwear :shock: so I didn’t.
Hmmmm.Maybe, Bam, this “not washing the underwear”, contributes to the annoying attraction of the insects in question? (just, a thought).
Leave the cow at home and just take a dried pie along in a ziplock. if the fishing’s slow, (and you’re with a fish’in buddy), you can also pass the time, playing Frisbee with it.
HRH Betty is also correct. I read the “dryer sheet trick”, in FR&R mag, several years ago and it DOES WORK. (in keeping the bugs off, that is…NOTHING makes me “smell any better” when fishing, however). I clip one on the rear net D-ring of my vest, another, half sheet in a mesh vest pocket and fish probably 95% “bug free” and out here, in Oregon, we have Skeeters that are large enough in places, that they wear goggles and file flight plans with the local airports.
Yep…I’ve been doing that for a few years now and it works great (doesn’t melt any equipment, either:D) Another thing I do with it is I keep half a sheet in the bottom of waders at all times…it prevents what I call “The stinky wader syndrome”, which of course Betty wouldn’t know about…women’s waders don’t get stinky like ours do…right :lol: By the way, i prefer Makers Mark or Knob Creek for my bourbon, but grandpa or his pet turkey are welcome any time
Another way to ward off biting bugs is Listerine. Use it like you would bug dope.
Or eat LOTS of garlic. You might smell funky but once it starts coming out of your pores it does keep skeeters away. It might even work as a fish attractant too if you wet wade;).
Better check to see if all those chemicals are flammable before lighting any stogies. I personally prefer JP-4 (jet petroleum 
:lol: