I think we can all agree the late spring though summer is a swell time to be on the water. However, depending on where you fish and how much bushwhacking you’re doing, there are the downsides of ticks and Irving.
“Irving” was the childhood name we gave to poison ivy, AKA poison Irving, or, for those closest to him, Irving. A bad case of Irving was nothing to laugh about. (It still isn’t. I’ve had to get medical treatment twice as an adult for severe Irving outbreaks). But calling it Irving took a little of the edge off the itchy reality. I mention Irving because I will have an Irving rash on my body from now through most of the fall. I seem to contract it just by looking at it. As I write this, it’s on my torso, both legs, and both arms. At least it’s not on any nether parts, which is a kind of discomfort that can only be described as exquisitely cruel. I do my best to avoid it, but it’s become an unfortunate certainty. A good lather up with quality soap on water is the best defense once you’ve been exposed. I’ve used special “poison ivy soap,” but found I get the same results with Lever 2000. YMMV.
Then, there are ticks. I acquired five of these loathsome creatures last week in my garden. They weren’t nearly on me long enough to do any harm, but their ubiquity and disgusting nature makes even brushing them off a skeevy adventure. I’ve gotten in the habit of doing a tick check everywhere on my body when I come in from the river/field/woods. Another practice I started last year was treating my fishing shirts, pants, and hats with permethrin. You spray it on your clothes, let it dry, and it bonds to the fabric for six weeks or six washings.
Let’s all enjoy the great outdoors. But let’s be careful out there. Maybe next time, I’ll talk about sunscreen and bug spray.
currentseams.com 
THANK YOU! Of great importance and valuable counsel.
You’re welcome. The stuff we have to put up with…
Ticks are more dangerous than you indicated. My wife just spent 4 days in ICU being treated for anaplsmosis, a disease carried by deer ticks. without treatment she would have died. Permethrin is wonderful stuff; stress its use more often!
I hope she gets well soon. Ticks are bad news.
I also both buy and send clothing to Insect Shield. They will treat your favorite clothing reportedly lasting 60 washings.
It’s an extra step, but if that’s true, wow!
I am off to Labrador next week and sprayed my hats, but i am bringing clothes I wear in RHody that i had Insect shield treat a few years ago. I work in my garden as well. I have not had ticks.
Rich
Good health is true wealth
Good stuff. Stay safe!
try the product tecnu for poison ivy. It’s very effective. Be sure to follow the instructions.
Thanks, Sig. I may look it up.
Mix about 20 drops coconut essential oil with water in a small squirt bottle and spray yourself. You won’t have a problem with ticks.
Good one. Of course, you may smell rather tropical for a while….