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bottomtothetap
distinguished member(1022)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/13/2021 09:34PM  
Group of 8 and we will be going in about late July when the skeets are much more intense than the early Sept. trips I've been taking for awhile. Who that goes while the bugs are still pretty strong brings a screen tent? What kind/brand and was it worth the haul of extra gear?
 
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2NDpaddlers
senior member (73)senior membersenior member
  
01/14/2021 09:00AM  
I have tripped late July early Aug trips the last few years and brought along my 9x9 Nemo Bugout. When I bought it I was trying to make all the best preparations to make my wife enjoy her first trip. I am not sure I would take a trip without it. Have had to sit out rainstorms in it and not only great for bugs but keeps the water out as well. Easy to set up. A great piece of equipment.

 
01/14/2021 10:37AM  
I also have a 9x9 BugOut. Was essential in late July last year for my family of 5; I think it's a good piece of kit though there have been reports of seams tearing. The CCS version should be considered as well, and is certainly higher quality.
With a group of 9 you won't fit in one - I think even the 12x12 is likely too small. Bring two?
 
Pilgrimpaddler
distinguished member (263)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/14/2021 10:59AM  
I have a 12.5' x 12.5' (custom size) CCS screen tent; it's plenty roomy for 4 people and could probably fit 8 without feeling too crowded. It definitely makes camp more comfortable when the bugs are bad and also doubles as tarp.
 
01/14/2021 03:39PM  
I personally never trip with a screen tent, but if you really wanted one that fit 8 people you could have Dan Cooke of Cooke Custom Sewing make you a custom one using his 15'x15' Tundra tarp. If you go that route I would love to see some pics....
 
01/15/2021 11:15AM  
I've got the 12 x 12 Nemo, and I'm a fan. We hang hammocks under it to sleep at night. It's got zippered ends that allow the hanging rope to go through, with zippers on each side to close the holes.

If you've got 8 guys going, I'd think you've got plenty of manpower to take one in. They're a little heavy and bulky, but if your playing cards and drinking at night you won't regret it.
 
01/16/2021 10:00AM  
I have a home made bug shelter that’s about 8x9 feet or so and can be hung under my 10x10 tarp. I made it before a July trip to the Frost River anticipating bad bugs and it really saved me. I had never used one before, but on this trip the bugs were just awful for the first 5-6 days. It’s way, way better than wearing a bug net, gloves, and long pants/sleeves in summer, and it’s especially helpful for my dog. It’s just about a pound or so if I recall correctly and doesn’t take up too much space. I’ve now been very happy to have it on my last 5 or so trips. There are some days when I just don’t need it for some reason, but the days I do it’s critical. I will not go from late May to end of August without it now.
 
OldFingers57
distinguished member(4990)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/29/2021 09:02AM  
We’ve got the Nemo Bugout 12x12 and love it. Have used it more for river camping as it’s heavy to portage for just the two of us. We use some collapsible poles with it.
 
WHendrix
distinguished member(623)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/29/2021 09:18AM  
Jaywalker: "I have a home made bug shelter that’s about 8x9 feet or so and can be hung under my 10x10 tarp. I made it before a July trip to the Frost River anticipating bad bugs and it really saved me. I had never used one before, but on this trip the bugs were just awful for the first 5-6 days. It’s way, way better than wearing a bug net, gloves, and long pants/sleeves in summer, and it’s especially helpful for my dog. It’s just about a pound or so if I recall correctly and doesn’t take up too much space. I’ve now been very happy to have it on my last 5 or so trips. There are some days when I just don’t need it for some reason, but the days I do it’s critical. I will not go from late May to end of August without it now. "


Do you have any pictures of this thing, and where did you get the netting ? I have a 9x9 Bugout that I use at times, but I'm looking for something a lot lighter than that for solo trips and have not found much.
 
01/29/2021 02:16PM  
WHendrix: "
Jaywalker: "I have a home made bug shelter that’s about 8x9 feet or so and can be hung under my 10x10 tarp. I made it before a July trip to the Frost River anticipating bad bugs and it really saved me. I had never used one before, but on this trip the bugs were just awful for the first 5-6 days. It’s way, way better than wearing a bug net, gloves, and long pants/sleeves in summer, and it’s especially helpful for my dog. It’s just about a pound or so if I recall correctly and doesn’t take up too much space. I’ve now been very happy to have it on my last 5 or so trips. There are some days when I just don’t need it for some reason, but the days I do it’s critical. I will not go from late May to end of August without it now. "



Do you have any pictures of this thing, and where did you get the netting ? I have a 9x9 Bugout that I use at times, but I'm looking for something a lot lighter than that for solo trips and have not found much."


I actually dont have any very good pictures, but I posted a diagram of how it was contructed, along with some other details on this thread. Look at the bottom for the most up to date diagram. It was originally just under 10 feet long, but that as too much room so I cut it down about 2.5 feet to fit better and take up less space packed. Still room for me, too much gear, two dogs, and my camp stoves. I have contemplated making an even smaller one by taking off going down to only 5 feet long. I got my netting and many other supplies from Ripstop by the Roll.
 
01/29/2021 04:25PM  
Definitely bring one...a big one!

Mine's a 13x13 Eureka No Bug Zone. Not only does it keep the bugs out, but it keeps the rain out too. You'll need a big one for eight guys. Seems to be a similar design to many other brands.

The downside of this design is that you need a a good flat space with two well-situated trees to set it up. That may not be available for you given the size of your group and the attendant number of tents you're bringing.

We have brought a free-standing bug shelter in the past with heavy aluminum poles and no-one regretted it. They can be erected on a beach or a nice slab of granite as long as they're well anchored. Downside of these shelters is that the cover isn't all that rain proof but you could throw a tarp over it if necessary.

 
01/29/2021 04:56PM  
I'd also recommend bringing a good mosquito racket like The Executioner.
The smell of burning insects...it smells like....victory.
 
01/29/2021 05:12PM  
Argo: "I'd also recommend bringing a good mosquito racket like The Executioner.
The smell of burning insects...it smells like....victory. "

That ZAP is so satisfying. I was surprised how handy it was inside the bug net. Bugs do get in while doors are open or any holes, so those are nice to clear them out.
 
WHendrix
distinguished member(623)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/29/2021 06:24PM  
Thank you, Jaywalker.
 
bottomtothetap
distinguished member(1022)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/30/2021 10:05AM  
Thanks for all of the input!

Permit is now secure but trip actually got moved to last weekend in August. My experience has been that mosquitos are well on the wane by then, though I know there are still some 'skeets and other bugs. Bringing mostly newbies and I want it to be a great experience for them so trying to consider what to help assure that. We will only be doing the numbers chain with little portaging so carrying extra is now less of a concern.

Will likely give the screen tent a try, even though we are later season than original plan.
 
pastorjsackett
distinguished member(1204)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/30/2021 10:16AM  
I'm all over the map on this one. I own a Nemo, I like it but I'm with Argo in the sense that I can't always find great spots to deploy it. We often give precedence to the CCS tarp we also bring (maybe that's the problem). I've just jumped into hammocks so we might try to use it that way. The pics on this thread helped me visualize better ways to use it.

 
jimbocr1167
member (24)member
  
01/30/2021 03:36PM  
Clam makes an excellent screen tent. Comes in many sizes.
 
MississippiDan
member (48)member
  
01/31/2021 07:49PM  
I have been with a group and used a MEC Mantis tarp/bug shelter. Goes up easy. One arch pole in back and single pole in front.
 
MississippiDan
member (48)member
  
01/31/2021 07:49PM  
I have been with a group and used a MEC Mantis tarp/bug shelter. Goes up easy. One arch pole in back and single pole in front.
 
jrlatt
distinguished member (479)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/31/2021 10:58PM  
Clams look nice, but what is the weight? I have a Nemo 12x12. Used one year no problems was nice to have on lake two. Set it up at home in the back yard, wind came up and tore the corners out. I like the Nemo overall design, but the ridge line tie outs design is bad. I have considered ccs, but I haven't justified the price yet. I am still looking for options.
 
02/01/2021 12:26PM  
I have three approaches to bug control.

Like many here, I have a Nemo bug out, in my case the 12x12. Like others, I had a corner tear last summer and have reinforced with glued and sewn 1 inch webbing. Fingers crossed it works. I would buy the lighter weight 9x9 Nemo or preferably the CCS bug house if I had to do it again.

My second approach is a eBay purchased over bed mosquito screen. I rig lines in trees in a box shape and tie the screen to it. For $14 it works very well, as long as you set up in the trees. You need to grab some rocks to hold the bottom edges down, but we never have a problem finding rocks! I suspect if you attached it to a lower cost tarp, you would have a pretty low cost bug tent. I bring this when I don’t want to carry the weight of the Nemo and am setting up and tearing down every day. It’s about 10 oz in weight, so very light.

Third approach is my Thermacell backpacker which I find really does work. I can place that under my tarp and not worry about screens at all.
 
02/01/2021 12:28PM  
jrlatt: "Clams look nice, but what is the weight? "


They do look nice...but most of them weigh more than a canoe. 6x6 is the lightest at 20 lbs. I'd need it to come with an included sherpa.
 
ODoyle
member (10)member
  
02/04/2021 05:21AM  
In 2019 one of the group brought a freestanding screen canopy that was roughly 10x12 with a group of 6. Fiberglass poles, something he found at walmart. It was an early Aug trip. We played cards under an led lantern instead of being chased into the tent by the skeeters. We loved it. This last year he brought a little bigger, like 13x12, version for the group of 8. With small fold up bag chair size table, and 8 guys with bag type chairs, we made it work. Treated with permethrin, if anything got in, it didn't last long.

We had been setting up a 15x15 CCS tundra tarp for shade/shelter anyway and all have been thoroughly impressed by it. So we pooled our money and got the CCS 15x15 screen tent. Like all of Dan's gear, it is over built. It is big. Like we could set up two tables and 8 chairs and have room to move around. Have not set it up in the wild yet. I am sure it will have all the same challenges as the 15x15 tarp plus the need to support the weight of the screen material. Short version, for base camping, a screen tent is worth every bit of the bulk and weight.
 
tarnkt
distinguished member (366)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/04/2021 11:16PM  
Highly recommend the 12x12 Nemo bug out. In addition to the bug protection it does well against sideways rain. For any group 4 or bigger I wouldn’t think twice.

Can be the difference between going to bed at dusk or hanging out with your buds for 4 hours.
 
Heyfritty
distinguished member (177)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/07/2021 04:10PM  
REI has a 12x12 Nemo bugout for sale at 25% off. It is being discontinued. $187


12x12 Nemo bugout
 
Mad_Angler
distinguished member(1720)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/12/2021 12:09PM  
We bought a cheap screen tent. Any one will do.

We leave the poles at home and hang the 4 corners from ropes. Works great and very light.

And I love to hang tarps. One more thing to hang...
 
02/13/2021 03:30PM  
Argo: "Definitely bring one...a big one!


Mine's a 13x13 Eureka No Bug Zone. Not only does it keep the bugs out, but it keeps the rain out too. You'll need a big one for eight guys. Seems to be a similar design to many other brands.


The downside of this design is that you need a a good flat space with two well-situated trees to set it up. That may not be available for you given the size of your group and the attendant number of tents you're bringing.


We have brought a free-standing bug shelter in the past with heavy aluminum poles and no-one regretted it. They can be erected on a beach or a nice slab of granite as long as they're well anchored. Downside of these shelters is that the cover isn't all that rain proof but you could throw a tarp over it if necessary.



"


Hey Argo, where does a guy get a Eureka No Bug Zone in the US? I'd like to check out an 11' over my hammock.
 
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