I will be making my first Quetico trip entering Pickerel Lake on June 17th, and exiting June 25th. This will also be my first canoe trip that isn't in September. I have no experience with biting bugs on these trips. The info I have gotten is to use permethrin on clothes, tarp hammock bug net, etc, carry deet, and I will be getting a head net.
During my research, I ran across the Original Bug Shirt, made in Ontario, I believe. Anyone have experience with these? Is this something I will enjoy having? They are a little pricey, but I don't mind paying for quality.

I'm curious if the bugs are only bad during the evening hours, or do black flies swarm in the daytime, etc. Seems like on a sunny June day, they might be a bit warm, but you guys can fill me in I hope.

Original Bug Shirt Elite

Biting bugs are hit or miss June - Sept in Quetico. I could think of only one trip I've done (late August) that would have warranted this shirt. In my opinion, if you're already prepping your clothes with Permethrin, carry deet and are taking a head net, you'll likely be just fine. I've looked into this product before and concluded that it's just yet another thing to carry.
AdamX

I have one, not used it much.... to hot for me.

quote gymcoachdon: "I will be making my first Quetico trip entering Pickerel Lake on June 17th, and exiting June 25th. This will also be my first canoe trip that isn't in September. I have no experience with biting bugs on these trips. The info I have gotten is to use permethrin on clothes, tarp hammock bug net, etc, carry deet, and I will be getting a head net.
During my research, I ran across the Original Bug Shirt, made in Ontario, I believe. Anyone have experience with these? Is this something I will enjoy having? They are a little pricey, but I don't mind paying for quality.

I'm curious if the bugs are only bad during the evening hours, or do black flies swarm in the daytime, etc. Seems like on a sunny June day, they might be a bit warm, but you guys can fill me in I hope.

Original Bug Shirt Elite "

I've got one and love it. I didn't get mine for canoeing specifically; I got it for activities that take me into very buggy places where the only other option is to where a head net or slather yourself with DEET. What I like is that you can flip up the hood very easily and zip the head net when you need it for example when carrying a canoe across a portage and then when you get to the end you just unzip and flip off the hood. Where they really shine I think is for black fly season (and yes black flies can swarm in the daytime) . They are very well made and if your activities take you into intense bug country, they are worth every penny.

As far as them being hot, mine is made of cotton and is not as hot as something like a hooded sweatshirt. True, if it is in the 80's, you are going to be warm in long sleeves, but usually I wouldn't bother carrying it in a hot weather canoe trip. I'd take it in June though.

If you pretreat your shirts, clothing in Permithrin, you will be fine. I would do pants for ticks. You can get it at Lawn & Garden area of Fleet Farm or anywhere. Might have to wait until spring. Just dilute into a spray bottle. Spray clothing until damp. Hang to dry. When you see dead bugs around where they are drying, you're dead on.

I treat my clothes with Permathrin, and I always do a June trip. It works! Also bring a bug net for my head and the bugs are not all that noticeable. That said, I also always use a Sea to Summit box bug shelter under my tarp. With that set up, I never worry about bugs.

I've had a couple of exceptionally buggy Q trips in June and July that have leaned heavily on the "Original Bug Shirt". It works. It is a bit warm. In the worst conditions gloves are required. I use DEET moderately and never when clean and settled in camp. I'm skeptical that long term exposure to Permethrin is not hazardous (though I understand that exposure to ticks is certainly hazardous). I'm uncomfortable with the idea of wearing or sleeping in clothing, tents etc that is treated with insecticide.

In hot weather I wear it without a shirt. Still gets hot. Had a still, buggy last night of trip on Robinson that was spent fully zipped in bug shirt (including it's face shield), gloves and rain pants interrupted by frequent swims (quick frantic removal and replacement of clothing) to cool off.

It is light and takes little space, and it works really well when the blood suckers are in a frenzy. I have carried one on most of my trips and only used it once, in late June. I always use permethrin and the other things mentioned, but the bug shirt is worth it IMHO.

quote old_salt: "If you pretreat your shirts, clothing in Permithrin, you will be fine. I would do pants for ticks. You can get it at Lawn & Garden area of Fleet Farm or anywhere. Might have to wait until spring. Just dilute into a spray bottle. Spray clothing until damp. Hang to dry. When you see dead bugs around where they are drying, you're dead on."

+1.

I have one and have used in - mainly in BWCA. I frankly find it unnecessary in most situations. Bugs aren't generally that bad while on the water, or during the day in most campsites. If you like staying out in the evenings after sunset, that would be the time you appreciate it. I now use mine more for beekeeping than for wilderness travel.

I have one. Quality is good. You get what you pay for. I go up there almost every June. Depending on the trip, bugs are non-existent or awful. I gave up trying to predict.

As for permethrin: treat everything you wear, including hats, buffs, gloves, socks. Maybe spray some around tent openings. But I would not waste my time spraying a tarp.

If you are in a place where mosquitoes are thick or black flies are present, permethrin will help but it won't suffice. At that point a headset or bug shirt is the way to go. Usually, I take both.

The bug shirt is hot. So if it is too hot I use the head net. In June, the temps can be chilly but not so cold as to subdue the bugs. Then I use the bug shirt as a warmth layer and for bug protection. For example, if you go out fishing towards sunset it can be nice to wear a bug shirt and then zip up when the bugs come out and the air gets colder. I soak the bug shirt in permethrin too.

Sometimes I leave the bug shirt home in lieu of a headnet if I am counting ounces and something has to go but otherwise it is a nice layer of clothing to have on hand.

The tarp was mentioned because I am a hammock guy, so that would be similar to spraying the entrance to my tent I suppose. I failed to mention the hammock in this post.
I appreciate everyone's input, I'll have to ponder this for a bit more.
I have been trying to assemble gear that might allow me to single portage on a solo trip, but I am not there yet. So, I think I will be double portaging, with a pretty light load, so an extra jacket won't bother me in the weight/bulk aspect.

quote gymcoachdon: "I'm curious if the bugs are only bad during the evening hours, or do black flies swarm in the daytime, etc. Seems like on a sunny June day, they might be a bit warm, but you guys can fill me in I hope. "

As far as the severity of the bugs during June; it really depends on how mild the winter and/or spring have been. A few years ago, (during what was termed the "Polar Vortex"), ice-out was not until mid to late May and the spring was somewhat cool as well. Those conditions varied the black fly and mosquito hatch by a week or so.

Last year, fellow bwca.com member Canoe42 and I did a "paired solo canoe trip" through Quetico's "Falls Chain" starting on June 18th and ending on June 24th. The bugs were not bad at all during the beginning of our trip. On our the last night though, it was a warm and still night on Cache Bay and the mosquitoes really hit us will full force at dusk, as they usually do. I was happy to have my Original Bug Shirt and my NEMO bugout shelter packed along. (Pictured below)

I usually prefer canoe tripping in August, September, or October when my schedule allows for it. In 2014 I did a Quetico solo trip in early July and the mosquitoes were brutal. I didn't have a screened tarp at the time and I was happy to have the Original Bug Shirt packed along. Dusk was particularly bad as it usually is, but the portages were swarming with mosquitoes too. Wearing the Original Bug Shirt was a Godsend.

As others have noted, the Original Bug Shirts do get somewhat hot, but it was a better alternative than getting eaten alive IMO. I personally feel the quality is good and it has withstood its limited, but hard use well.

Because I ordered mine from a well known outfitter and catalog store in Ely, my Original Bug Shirt was an olive green version emblazoned with their logo. It was still the Original Bug Shirt, but it was a custom make-up for them.

The Original Bug Shirt packs within its own pocket and its weight and size make it a feasible addition to my pack during bug season.

Hans Solo

Thanks for the reply Hans.
I see that Piragis sells this shirt:
Piragis Bug Shirt

It appears to be the same construction. You believe this is made by the same company, and is the same quality?

One more question: Will the headnet fit over a Tilley style hat? Or would I need to remove it before deploying the headnet?

Tilley makes several models of hats. The typical Tilley will be too big I think but it is nice to have a hat with some degree of a bill to keep the netting slightly off your face.

quote gymcoachdon: "Thanks for the reply Hans.
I see that Piragis sells this shirt:

Piragis Bug Shirt

It appears to be the same construction. You believe this is made by the same company, and is the same quality?"

Yep, that's the one I'm wearing in the above picture. It's my understanding that their version was manufactured by "The Original Bug Shirt Company", albeit with their logo sewn on the top left chest section.

If you go to "The Original Bug Shirt" website, it shows the ivy green/olive version as well as the original sandstone color. The sandstone and ivy green/olive version are constructed using 100% polyester breathable microfibre vs. 100% cotton for the natural color fabric. I'm not sure there's a discernible color difference between the sandstone and the natural fabric for what it's worth.

The Original Bug Shirt website

Hans Solo