Biting fly remedy

[kyfishman]

Does anybody have a repellant for these dang biting flies on KY Lake? (I'm looking for serious answers here.) I fished Friday and the flies were not too bad, but Saturday afternoon they were terrible. I know these are called "stable flies", and are a kind of housefly that can deliver a serious bite, at times even drawing blood. They really work on your ankles. Luckily they are not as bad around here as in other parts of our country, but at certain times on Ky and Barkley Lakes they can really ruin a good time of fishing. I've tried several brand name repellants (Deep Woods Off actually attracts them, I think) and nothing really works. Just wondered if any of you folks have really found something that really works to keep them away.

[Bronson]

I know what you mean and I keep a fly swatter handy but it seems that once they start getting after you it attracts a crowd. I was thinking about wearing shorts tomorrow but I may take a pair of long pants and boots just in case. A little wind helps keep them down but a light breeze means you're in trouble.

Do you have more trouble with this in the morning or in the afternoon?

[Dutch552]

Vanilla extract. Has worked on black flies for years when I travel up north on walley trips. It doesn't repel horseflies and when they are a problem I will use Avaon original Skin So Soft but it leaves an oily residue on anything it touches.

[wannabe fisherman]

I know what you mean and I keep a fly swatter handy but it seems that once they start getting after you it attracts a crowd

The reason you get more is when you kill one 10 have to come to the funeral. 6 pall bearers 1 to deliver the eulogy and 3 mourners. Rofl

[ifish]

Wannabe,
You ain't right man. He was asking for serious answers.Haha!

Kyfishman,
I use a thermacel to some effect and 100% deet is the only thing I have come up with. Did a lot of looking on the net and all the experts say deet is the best. I meesed up a plastic dash on my old Bass Tracker a few years ago with the overspry on one of the brands I used. Them dang things hurt and drive me nuts out on the water. Especially around dusk and close to the LBL. I found this product and will be ordering some. You want me to get 2 let me know!
http://www.sawyer.com/sp464n.htm

[irish1]

I use the same fly spray on me I use on my horse. It seems to work just as well as the "names" but costs a lot less.

[cntryby]

Absorbine jr like for arthritis at the pharmacy dabbed on you works great. Trick I was taught long time ago and don't know why but it works great.

[chucky]

They make a soap and a spray.

SHOO FLY SOAP | SHOO FLY REPELLENT SOAP

[Bassky]

about 20 years ago a friend and I were fishing on the Ohio River and the flies were horrible. We couldn't stand it. I had some engine oil and rubbed it on our legs and kept on fishing. Worked great!
Bassky

[Alphahawk]

100% deet works and is the only thing I have found that works.