Mt. Washington Valley, NH Businesses Take The Sting Out of Black Fly Season

North Conway, NH – The newsletter from Horsefeathers, a popular North Conway, NH restaurant reads "There's a span of time, here in the mountains known as "Bug Season". It's that infuriating month when the black flies hatch to descend upon us. There are two wisdoms annually employed regarding duration. The season lasts from either, "Memorial Day 'til Fourth of July" or "Mother's Day 'til Father's Day". We have chosen to celebrate the latter." In the spirit of making lemons from lemonade, businesses throughout the Mt. Washington Valley celebrate the arrival of black flies with whimsical tolerance. From black fly fishing ties to Shoo Fly pie and Black Fly Mia Tai’s, a visit to Mt. Washington Valley will reveal comic relief from the inevitable little buggers. If you’re making vacation plans "on the fly," think about Mt. Washington Valley, New Hampshire’s kingdom for black fly relief.

The Inn at Ellis River in Jackson, NH is "abuzz" with the idea of a black fly package. From May 15 through June 16, take advantage of the affordable Black Fly Buzz package, including advice on local no-fly or at least low-black fly zones. Your stay will include two nights accommodations in beautiful rooms, gourmet breakfasts for two each morning, a special picnic lunch with Black Fly Bowtie Pasta and of course Shoo-fly Pie for dessert. Just in case a fly does find you, you’ll find a special welcome when you return to the inn - a fly-shaped snack so you can bite back, and a special Black Fly Mai Tai drink for each guest. This package ranges from at $239 to $279 per plus tax per couple. Call 800-233-8309 for reservations.

Orvis-endorsed Master fishing guide, Sandy MacGregor says if the bug bites, so do the fish! Some of the best fishing occurs during black fly season, when the fly nymphs attached to rocks in fast water river and stream riffles provide a feast for fish, including Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout and Small-mouthed Bass. Anyone willing to brave the black flies on one of MacGregor’s trips, can choose from a float trip in MacGregor’s favorite fertile fishing grounds or treat themselves to a Wine and Dine float trip. Look for the whole scoop on www.mountainranger.com. And if rafting is more your style, join North Woods Rafting, and where you can beat the black flies as you fly down the Androscoggin River in a raft. To celebrate black fly season, mention the Black Fly special and get 10-percent off your river trip, during the month of June. Call 603) 449-BOAT for more information.

When it comes to outfitting for that June float trip or hike, Mt. Washington Valley businesses are stocked with just the black fly bush whacking gear you’ll need. A visit to Ragged Mountain Equipment, a local manufacturer of outdoor equipment and apparel offers a large collection of deet-free repellents and "no see um" netting. The owners claim "you could almost say we actually like the little buggers!" Visit www.raggedmt.com for the full buzz on black fly gear. And if your own backyard is where you’d rather be, Heavenly Hot Tubs will set you up with a portable hot tub, and citronella candles to keep the black flies at bay – on sale for black fly season!

Nearby North Conway haberdashery, Aaron Hats, offers a bug net that’s ideal for any brimmed hat, complete with an elastic top closure which fits any size hat and a drawstring bottom closure to tighten or loosen as needed. Call 1-877-FUN-HATS to order or visit Aaron Hats on Main Street, North Conway, NH.

Not to be outdone, Zebs General Store carrying the largest collection of New England made products in America, offers a wide range of merchandise celebrating the ubiquitous black fly. Everything from "Bugs Away" soaps and lotions from New Hampshire’s Cartigan Mountain to Black Fly Coffee picturing the fly of the season and plenty of natural insecticides will be found between the old fashioned penny candy counter and soda fountain décor. You’ll even find "Ticked Off" tick remover for the furry members of the clan, because when black flies arrive, so do ticks. Go to www.Zebs.com for this and many other products meant to take the sting out of black fly season.

Dine at Horsefeathers Restaurant anytime between now and the proclaimed end to the Black Fly season on Father’s Day, and you’ll get double points in the frequent dining program, just to reward you for enduring Black Fly season in Mt. Washington Valley. They claim from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day is NOT black fly season in this scenic corner of New Hampshire, it’s double points season. Visit www.horsefeathers.com to sign up for the clever newsletter that inspired this story.

For statewide media relations assistance, please visit the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism’s media room at http://www.visitnh.gov/ under Travel Industry. For complete information on visiting Mt. Washington Valley during black fly season, or any other time of year, visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call for a free Tips and Tours Guidebook at 1-800-DO-SEE-NH or 800-367-3364.