[texasag07]

From a level of 1-10 how horrible of an idea would it be to stay at the flamingo campground in August.

I would imagine if you go outside after dark it’s really horrible, anyone have any first hand experience?

I will be staying in a camper van.

 

[formerWAflyfisher]

All depends on weather. But it can be an 11 maybe a 15 on the right evening........ Camper Van is maybe ok?? Does it have A/C? I do have to say it’s much nicer to stay at the Marriott in homestead and take a dip in the pool after fishing. Just saying.

If you do go and stay PLEASE tell us about it when you get back.

 

[Hicatch]

From a level of 1-10 how horrible of an idea would it be to stay at the flamingo campground in August.

I would imagine if you go outside after dark it’s really horrible, anyone have any first hand experience?

I will be staying in a camper van.

I camped two nights during July in a tent one year and it was brutal; I'll not be doing that again.

 

[texasag07]

Van has a/c so it will be plenty comfortable. Yeah I have spent some time at night in the park in May and it got out of control quick with skeeters, so I figured August would be worse.

 

[Finn Maccumhail]

You’ll probably get Zika

 

[crboggs]

Stayed there in late December once and it was a solid 8. Don't even like to think about August.

 

[formerWAflyfisher]

Why even go? It’s not like there’s any fish down there. They all leave once tourist season is over.....

 

[bone1fish]

Bring an insane amount of repellent and wear pants and long sleeves. Maybe malaria prophylaxis too!

 

[Net 30]

You'd be better off donating the couple pints of blood at Red Cross vs having the skeeters and no-seeums drain it from you.

 

[DuckNut]

Stay in Islamorada and shoot across.

 

[manny2376]

Stay in Islamorada and shoot across.

1000%!!!!!

 

[DBStoots]

Only if the wind was blowing over 20 kts

 

[lemaymiami]

I fished out of Flamingo two days this week - and this time of year my usual routine is to get to the ramp at about 5:30 (well before sunup - my anglers are supposed to show up at 6Am...) so me and the skeeters are pretty well acquainted.... Each day we try to be off the water at 2pm to miss the thunderstorms (today we were about 30 minutes late and got back looking like drowned pups...)

Here's what I advise my clients... long sleeves, long pants, no flip flops or any footwear that doesn't actually cover your feet.... and remember - no dark clothing - loose fitting, light pastel colors preferred. If you have a camper - go over it and make sure all your screens are functioning properly (remember though - no see ums will go right through most screens...). Make sure you're inside that camper as early in the night as possible -and whenever you leave - fog the joint and be real disciplined about not leaving that door open more than a moment coming in or out.... I knew a club member (Tropical Anglers Club) that was famous (or infamous) for fogging the motel room he was sleeping in -and simply going to sleep in it without waiting for it to dissipate at all .... and he's still alive and kicking 45 years later...

If it were me I'd stay in Florida City/Homestead and commute in the fifty miles each day... If you're feeling tough - Deep Woods Off is pretty good stuff... but even better is clothing the skeeters can't bite through - for me... that's my rain jacket and the first sight my anglers see when they get to the ramp is me all dressed up in a solid rain jacket with the hood up and a Buff under the hood covering every bit of my face (and the back of the Buff pulled up over my ball cap)....

We did pretty good today - four tarpon on bait and lures - all river fish - three of them were small fish in the 20 to 40lb range - one of the fish was a big girl - easily between 90 and 100 lbs at the boat... Only downside was that we broke one of my good medium spinning rods on the last small fish - high-sticking will do it every time with a big fish right at the boat... I'll be building a replacement as soon as I can get a new blank....

This time of year the fishing can be fantastic - and you usually have the place to yourself during the week (on Wednesday - my trailer was the only one at the inside ramp...). Few more folks today (Saturday) but things will quiet down when I'm back down there on Monday...

Just nothing like the 'glades....

 

[jmrodandgun]

I'm itchy just reading this thread.

 

[DuckNut]

I'm itchy just reading this thread.

Just reading Bob's post made me smell DEET.

 

[Backcountry 16]

There is a reason the skeeter is the Florida state bird.

 

[Canebrake51]

I’ll take mosquitoes over no seeums. Does anyone know a repellent that works on those little devils? I cannot imagine camping at Flamingo without an RV and air conditioning any time other than winter.

 

[lemaymiami]

One thing I forgot to mention.... and it's a pretty good deal if there are enough of you... One of my anglers did a deal with the concessionaire about a houseboat... They allow him to rent a houseboat - and not move it, just use it as a liveaboard there at the marina... A/C, refrigerator, etc. and all the amenities - $50 less per night ($300 instead of the usual $350 per night...). Pretty good deal if there are four of you - even better with six - but that's a bit crowded...

Tie up your skiff to the houseboat and you're ready to go each morning -whenever.... I stayed one night with his crew and we never had to stick our noses out until we got up the next morning, had breakfast then went scooting into the backcountry...

 

[Capnredfish]

I’ll take mosquitoes over no seeums. Does anyone know a repellent that works on those little devils? I cannot imagine camping at Flamingo without an RV and air conditioning any time other than winter.

Yes, this.

 

[Capnredfish]

Shlt burns when applied. Works well for me. Daughter used it while waiting for school bus too with no complaints