It is noteworthy when an every-day trout flier describes recent insect activity along some Dane County streams, but not the types attracting trout.

“Black flies and then mosquitoes have been the worst on Black Earth Creek I’ve seen in more than 20 years,” said Bret Schultz, who is out nearly every day of the season.

Haddie McLean, WISC-TV Channel 3000 morning meteorologist in Madison, fights with buffalo gnats and mosquitoes, too, when presenting the weather from the outdoors patio. “I’ve used vanilla and mint scents to repel them with some luck,” she said.

Schultz has success using vanilla and Buggins, too, but finds fly-fishing for bass from the Wisconsin River sandbars bug-free.

In general, it’s been a tough spring and early summer for trout fishing, and taking grandchildren out on a stream with clouds of black flies could be a real turn-off.

“I have to replace the vanilla about every hour, but a small bottle still lasts me the season,” he said.

Products with up to 16 percent menthol seem to work for many outdoors people, too.

Last year’s flood on some streams has set up a real bug factory for the insects trout like, too, and Schultz has had some memorable days farther northwest, catching and landing over 100 trout in five hours.

Everything is returned, too.

Anyone looking to replenish their berry freezer stock or have a pie making day should consider taking the bug juice into the woods and fields in search of fruits. Black raspberries (blackcaps) are turning their true colors this week. Ample moisture will allow many cane stand berries to be large and juicy.

Next year’s canes are already overtopping the fruiting canes, so don’t overlook an area without parting the new brambles.

Red-headed woodpeckers have been hitting the ripe mulberries as the red fruits turn black. These berries are edible, too.

Coveys of grouse, turkeys and pheasants can often be heard, even though seeing them is next to impossible with head-high vegetation.

Nut crops, walnuts, hickory nuts, hazelnuts and acorns, continue to progress toward a better autumn than last.

Prairie compass plants are having their prairie birthday two weeks ahead of Aldo Leopold’s 1949 observation date when the plant flowered as he reported in his “A Sand County Almanac.”

Independence Day often marks the fledging date for bald eagles.

Look for these eaglets perched with adults for the next month and beyond. It takes several months before the young can capture their own food and are relying on carrion and handouts from the parents throughout this period.

An interesting phenomenon of garden potatoes flowering and setting little green tomato-like fruits has begun. Yes, the potato fruits are poisonous, but of course the stem tubers are not unless they are left in the sun and begin greening.

We are all individuals when it comes to many outdoors activities and situations, so there should be no head scratching if one extract or repellent works or doesn’t work. Apparently we don’t all smell the same to bugs, either.

— Jerry Davis is an Argyle native and a freelance writer who lives in Barneveld. He can be reached at sivadjam@mhtc.net or at 608-924-1112.