I've been to the BWCA many times but never in August. I would like a report on how bad the bugs have been lately, what to expect next week and tips and tricks to deal with them.

For many years now we've scheduled our visits in late August to early September because there are fewer bugs and fewer people. The last posts in the "2023 Bug and Bear Reports" thread were in late July and mostly listed low bug issues.

TZ

I have been going to the BW in early to late August for years. Bugs are worst during twilight. Especially at night. (Mornings have cooler temps and tend to discourage them.)

Tricks and tips:

1. We make sure we are fed and able to move indoors before the light begins to fade.
2. We spray our clothes with permethrin. Not only does it discourage flying insects, it keeps the ticks at bay.
3. We carry 3 different types of bug spray (1. lemon/Eucalyptus. 2. Picardin. 3 DEET) We use the spray depending on the amount of bugs. Saving the the big gun - DEET - for last resort.
4. Choose a site that will allow the wind in.
5. Don't wear blue.
6. Bring head nets. If you run into a particularly bad spot, these may be your last resort. (Haven't used them in years, but I always pack them. They weigh very little.)

We are headed up the Gunflint with a Sag permit in about 10 days. We'll see how my strategy works this year.

Have a great trip!

+1, plus 2 . . . Consider a screen house. I bought a Eureka No Bug Zone, which weighs 5 pounds. As people have said, it’s a game changer.

Just got home from a trip up the Gunflint Trail. Was on caribou, horseshoe, gaskin, winchell and Vista. Crazy good fishing and the mozzys were actually not a problem. Never used the head net or spray. They did hit around dusk, but we ate early and just got in the hammocks, no problems at all. Seriously with the early reports of epic amounts, it was surprisingly not bad for us this last week.