I am headed into the BWCA next week. Those that have been out, what has the black fly situation been? Are things going in the right direction and black fly numbers going down, or is next week going to be prime hatch? Just wondering what I can prepare for.

Serious answer... prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Anyone can speculate, but no one really knows. Have a great trip!

Jackfish: "Serious answer... prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Anyone can speculate, but no one really knows. Have a great trip!"

Nailed it.

Went into Snowbank on 5/17. Black flies were bad for the first 4 days. Got better by the 20th, but then the mosquitoes joined the party. Wind helped, and the black flies were the worst around running water, of course. Used the headnets a lot.

We went in at LIS North on 5/22, had a few black flies at the parking area and then a few gnats over the next 4 days. No mosquitoes and really not many black flies. It was so bug-free it was almost unnerving! It was plenty windy but, still ... we didn’t put up the screen shelter and there was no need to even have the bug screen zipped shut on my Lean.

Went in at #47 Lizz on 5/16 to 5/22. Black flies were around when we were on the water fishing but not nearly as bad as same week last year. Mosquitos came out at dusk in camp but were pretty lethargic even with warmer temps. Never used the head nets we brought. Last year went in Moose lake and had head net on whenever I was fishing. You just never know.

Also, check the 2021 Bug Reports thread at the top of this forum.

Bring gnat spray. It works decently enough and is much better than nothing. Usually it keeps them out of your face but you have to reapply often. That and cigar smoke have been effective deterrents in the past for me.

I got out today in roughly the Sawbill area. They were terrible on Monday but they were few and far between on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. That said another batch could hatch at any moment. I survived with only 6 bites that I anticipate itching for the next few weeks.