zski wrote on Apr 12^th, 2013 at 2:44pm:

mt, i am far more newbie than yoube. but: one pre-portage tip my bro gave me was to add bit of extra bug repellent on the approach before landing. i've been grateful for that one.

What I have noticed zski is they are usually whole lots worse on the way back than on the way there. They pick up your signature on their little radars and clutter about in the portage trail after your past.........of course they are ready, willing and able to gather in formation, feint left and bite right on your return. For that reason it is typically a good idea to walk briskly (jog or run if they are over 4" in length) on reasonably clean pathways.

Now there is one reason to take the boat first! Hard to swat while carrying the boat. I carry a bottle of Bens in a small pocket on the sheathe of my Seal Pup.......comes in handy once or twice a trip  :thumbup

BTW........if you just let them bite, you eventually develop a bit of immunity and you will stop welting up. DISCLAIMER: not to be attempted with blackflies   ;)   ;D