fisherman bob wrote:Been bit by just about every nasty bug out there: mosquitos, gnats, horseflies, deerflies, ticks, fisher spiders, recluse spiders, chiggers, fleas, etc. I've fished in deep woods, in fileds next to ponds, etc. Bugs love water. Insect repellent is a must for me. I find recluse spiders in my house all the time, little bastards. I got the worst reaction from chiggers. They're the most diabolical of all God's creatures. Can't see them. Can't feel them bite, technically they don't bite but put a tiny drop of enzyme on your skin and suck it up, then fall into the grass and molt into a harmless mite. It's the enzyme that we're allergic to and is the itchiest thing known to humans. And they live in colonies so you usually get "bit" dozens of times. Just safer to douse yourself from the knees down with repellent.
Bob I don't know what to call these critters. 10 years ago I took my kids down to the Nissequogue river. One side is the LI sound that flows salt water into the river, the other side is the river that dumps fresh water from the Smithtown wetlands. Any way it is a fun place to go SNAPPER fishing. Baby blue fish caught on the lightest tackle available.
Any way the tide went out and exposed a sand/mud bar halfway out. Fishing ended, my wife decide to take the kids out to explore. I decided to sit on the beach and break the law by having a beer and a sandwich.
Half an hour later they came out bitten to pieces. They didn't even know they were bitten. NASTY MO FOs. Live in the mud. After that I wouldn't think of getting out of a canoe stuck in the mud. Locals call them "mud fleas" NASTY MO FOs... Chiggers, Skeeters... those bites lasted for weeks.
Don't argue with a stupid person. They will pull you down to their level... And beat you with experience..."Samuel Langhorne Clemens"