Living in the Woods-Not Fishing

[Spike]

Coastal Fish report-Limits of rockfish and lings, abalone re-opens in a few days.

Michelle and I recently moved to a spot that's not nearly as hot and more heavily forested too.  It was cute when the deer ate the potted tomato plants and roses on the deck.  Picking blackberries that evening, I stepped on a yellowjacket nest.  About a dozen bites and stings by the time I killed the toxic little defenders.  It made me much sicker (with nasea and localized pain) than getting bit by a rattler did.  A sting on my knuckle is still pretty hot and a few bites rose much later.

It was pretty funny as it happened though...I was alone, running down the road, ripping my shirt off, beating on myself to kill the wasps, tripping and going head over heals....still beating the wasps off and berries flying everywhere (I never let go of my cup).  5 minutes later, I shook out my shirt and 2 more came after me. 

The kung-fuish stuff I learned in acupuncture school has now served me twice in nature (the first was repelling a needlefish "attack" on my kayak). The wasps were like a bad movie...but funny.  Long after, some of the bites feel like somebody put a cigarette out on my skin...with a blow from a hammer.  I treated it with antihistamine.

I probably saw so much humor in my plight because I saw it happen to a friend once in Happy Camp and we all laughed hard.  A sure payback for taking delight back then.

I was planning on fishing the `Bu this weekend and will put it off a week or 2 since I'm still feeling carsick from the bites.  That usually guarantees a halibut for everyone who does make it OTW.  Good luck!

[wolfman]

Sorry to hear about your insect stings.  As you know , it could have been worse. Anaphylactic shock can kill.   If you have a dog, take him to rattlesnake avoidance training.  As for those cute deer eating your potted plants, the area "A" season opens 08 August.  Hope you have a tag.  Enjoy your woodsy retreat!   
Wolfman

[Spike]

My brother said he carries an epinepheryne(sp) pen on the advice of a doctor buddy who said many people use up their antibodies after a few insect stings and become (potentially) deathly alergic.  Bees are always headed for the bee they see in my glasses while I'm fishing so I'll probably add that.  Woke up last night and thought I had the itch of poison oak that I've so far, had a lifelong resistance to.  Turned out to be a wasp bite from last week coming in for a last hurrah.  Lasted about an hour.   

DraggingTomales Bay a few hours in the morning for flatties.

More berry picking this afternoon.  It's a bumper berry season up here and it looks like the same for the grapes.

[Sea Weed]

When I pick berry's in Idaho we take the 454 cal pistol. Don't worry about bees. It's beard Cougars and Wolves. Bumper crop of Huckleberries as well.