quote Goldenbadger: "I'm hoping the skeeters die back a bit in the next couple weeks. Were the flies horse flies or deer flies? Overall, it sounds like the bugs weren't bad at all for you. That's good news. I was thinking about using permetherin, but I think I'm going to pass on it. I've never used it before. I think I would do it if the bug reports were bad. "
Honstly, I dont know the difference between a horse and a deer fly. They were bigger than a house fly and looked more brown on the back. They were relentless once they found you and swatting at them only provoked them! After looking at google pics of both, I am guessing they were deerflys.
I'm very happy with the permethrin. For $20 I bought 2 bottles of the Sawyer spray on and did all our clothes and our tent. Every morning the tent had a rather significant layer of dead bugs clinging to it, so I know it was working. As for long term effect of the chemical? I guess we will have to wait and see :)
That being said, I believe the right clothing is more protection than anything else. Just no tight fitting stuff and long sleeves.