May paddle advise please

[Rich Lockwood]

I'm going to go to the Bog river flow in May either the week of the 5th or the 12th.Would I be safe from the bugs on the 12th?I would rather go on the later week.
Also,how can I order current map and guides from the DEC for such areas.I tried their website and couldn't find out how.
Thanks,Turtle

[cgill]

May paddle advice

There will not be bugs on May 12th. The weather will also be sunny, all the best campsites will be available, and the wind will be from your back no matter what direction you paddle.

Seriously, chances are the bugs will be OK but depending on the weather they could be bad depending on your tolerance level. In general I have found that the bugs begin to get bothersome when the leaves come out which is right about the middle of May.

Good luck with your trip.

[Wldrns]

I'm going to go to the Bog river flow in May either the week of the 5th or the 12th.Would I be safe from the bugs on the 12th?I would rather go on the later week.
Also,how can I order current map and guides from the DEC for such areas.I tried their website and couldn't find out how.
Thanks,Turtle

You should be safe from biting bugs (blackflies) on the 12th, unless we have some unusually nice weather in the weeks prior - you really never know about early-mid May. There are a number of species of blackflies, not all of which bite. The first crop tends to buzz around, seemingly not knowing what to do, just being an annoyance without inflicting any pain. Don't let these bother you, though they can drive you nuts in numbers if you let them. If you are lucky these are all you should experience until after mid-May. I always figured leaf out to be the 3rd week of May, and by Memorial Day the biting variety of blackflies begin to get heavy.

The DEC does not provide an online service for maps. But if you call or stop at one of the regional headquarters or any ranger station in the region, there should be a good supply of maps and other literature. Interestingly, what sometimes makes it tough on availability is a change in governors. The Governor signs off on all this stuff and every time there is a change they throw out all the old paperwork and print new with the new Governor's name.

[Bill I.]

Interestingly, what sometimes makes it tough on availability is a change in governors. The Governor signs off on all this stuff and every time there is a change they throw out all the old paperwork and print new with the new Governor's name.

It will be interesting to see which governor the 2008 brochures credit...

On the other hand, I collect most of the brochures each year for my files. In most cases, there are few changes from year to year. The booth at the Little Tupper Headquarters facility is my main source for this neck of the woods.

One item in the Bog River Flow you might want to note:

ACCESS
Primary access to the area is by a short gravel road off State Route 421 to Lows Lower Dam, where a canoe may be launched. This road may be gated in the spring to protect it during frost-out. Alternate canoe access is available at Horseshoe Lake Outlet.

[Rich Lockwood]

Thanks!

I have an old guide and will stop at Little tupper on the way there.I'll probibly play it safe and go on the earlier date.I went there at that time last year and got windbound-this year I make it!
Turtle