I will start off by saying I hate mosquito repellent products whilst angling. I don't want them anywhere near my hands, tackle or bait but sadly I get bit an awful lot. The little perishers seem to really like my blood. The reason I brought my Kelly Kettle several years back was after keeping them at bay with a friends smoldering fire pit at the insect biting capital of the world, Woldale.
Prior to that I used to surround myself with Joss sticks, so what if I looked and smelt like an aging hippie type?
My pipe would come out in an absolute emergency, more smoke making really than smoking. I'm not a smoker, never have been, although I can enjoy a nice Cuban cigar and fortunately can then go months without the craving for another. I still have a wooden box full that I've had for years.
Now a few weeks back the bishop put a post up that he was thinning his coat collection down and among these was a long Barbour Stockman. I'd hung my nose on one for some time but never actually committed to pressing buy when looking on line. There was a particular job I had for a very long coat but they seemed a lot of money for an experiment. When this 'little used' one cropped up I decided it was the perfect opportunity to see if I really did need one and whether or not I would actually wear one.
Well just a few weeks on, despite the way the weather has been, I have indeed been using it. The mosquito's where I have been angling, like most other places are at their most troublesome just before and just into dark. I have found the perfect mozzie shield without having to get all lotioned up. Sat in my chair, my whole body and legs are protected for the period I most need protecting. Using just my little finger and next one of my left hand I use a mosquito wipe on my forehead, face, ears and neck, then tuck one in each sock. A personal 40 plus year problem solved.
