I live 10 minutes from Busch wildlife . 32 stocked lakes by species . It gets hot so damn fast I never go . I think Missouri is the chigger capital of the world .
Now You did it, Rich!!
By mentioning "Bugs & Fishing", You just awakened a "Bear Story":
I'll never forget an outing with my Brother Jim, who I lost not long ago to Covid.
We used to fish a lot when we were Kids, because our Dad was a "Fishing Machine". Then a few years later, after we were both married, and had both been to Vietnam & back, Jim kinda moved away from fishing, but I kept it up, and continued fishing a lot with our Dad. We practically lived on the Delaware River, and hit a lot of Trout Streams in between.
Then one day I managed to talk Brother Jim into getting a license and doing some fishing. So I picked him up about 6 AM on Saturday, and off we went.
We stopped at our old Breakfast haunt, up near Stroudsburg, at Snydersville (AKA Besecker's Diner) and had a couple of great Breakfasts, like we used to get there often. Then we were fat & happy, so we could resume our trip.
So we got there about a half hour later, and nobody else was there, but that was pretty normal for "Saw Creek". It didn't get fished hard, except for the first few days after the season opens and for a couple days right after restocking.
Nobody wants to have to work for their catch, like we were taught.
So after a short time, we each had one trout in our bags, but the little "Black Flies" started being a PITA. We tried to ignore them, and just kept fishing.
After about a total of 2 hours, I had 3 trout & Jim had 2, but the Black Flies were getting worse. They weren't biting but they were being a Huge PITA.
I told Jim to try to stay in the shade, because they are definitely worse in the hot Sun. I think Jim was wishing he had 3 arms, so he could fish with one & chase flies with the other 2. I was laughing, because Jim looked like a Wind-Mill out of balance, with his arms & hands going every which way. They were mostly flying in & out of our noses, mouths, ears, eyes, and landing on the backs of our necks. That was when Jim made one of my favorite Statement Memories. We were on opposite sides of the creek, when Jim said "Now I Remember Why I quit this F'n Sport!!"
The bug spray we were using wasn't working with these particular bugs, so we packed up & ran a few miles North on 402 to "Pickerel Inn", which was a combination Bar, Restaurant, Hardware Store, Gas Station, Boat Rental, Bait Store, at Peck's Pond. We bought the stuff that they said was the only thing that worked on those Black Flies---"Deep Woods OFF" (with DEET).
I also bought a nice Camo' Face Net, just in case, because I needed a new one for Archery Season anyway.
So we got back to Saw Creek to try to fill our limits with Trout, and that Deep Woods Off really did work!! However the hot sun slowed the Trout action pretty much, and I think we pulled out of there with a total of 4 Trout Each.
We managed to stop at our favorite Stroudsburg Sports Bar, for a few Beers, and some of their special "Bacon Wrapped Flame Broiled Hot Dogs", of which I had my usual 3, and Jim had 2.
So in conclusion Jim & I had a Great time, except for the Bugs, and Jim is up there right now, since most of my family assembled & took Jim's Ashes up & put them in Saw Creek. Bear Jr led the convoy, because he was the only one who knew where it was, and where Jim wanted his ashes to go.
BTW: Our Mom & Dad were already there, and they're ready for me, whenever I get there. I'm in No Hurry!
THE END of this fishing story.
Bear