Black Flies & Bow Drills

A little bushcraft teamwork recorded and uploaded back in May 2016 which I've just made public now. My wife and I have an urban-dwelling friend who was a little incredulous when we described what black fly season is like up here in Ontario, Canada. So we recorded this little video of me helping my wife learn how to start a fire using a primitive friction fire technique called the 'bow-drill' last spring at the very beginning of the black fly season. This is what awaits us once winter's finished. LOL

[@TheSwampfoxOutdoors]

I just discovered your page looking for new food dehydration ideas. I soon found myself binge watching your videos. This is an excellent video. You and your wife are pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks so much for that kind comment. We actually shot this bit of video for a friend of ours in the UK because she wanted him to have some idea of what blackflies were like. For that reason, I didn't intend to make this video public, and instead had the video set to 'unlisted' for a long time so that it wouldn't have to be viewed by subscribers, but I'm gratified to know you enjoyed it and our other content. Feel free to share any of the videos you think might be worthwhile to others. Cheers, Martin

[@Woodswalker1965]

Excellent! Why do we do it lol! Youre wife is a trooper! Cheers Wade

[@RaindanceBushcraft]

I'm useless at bowdrill, so I'm always impressed when I see someone who's good at it go to work. But jeez, those blackflies, man...

[@DaD-zl2hr]

Luv the videos you guys make

[@TheWildYam]

This is my next goal to up my game in fire craft. I'll have to give it a go this Spring. Ah...blackflies..how I've missed you so. LOL. Not too much longer til they grace us with their presence. I find that they are getting more resistant to my DEET spray.

[@PineMartyn]

Jenn, you will really enjoy starting fires using primitive friction fire methods. It's very gratifying. I have an idea for you in connection with that, so look for a PM from me on Facebook. Cheers, - Martin

[@onthetrailwithcoolsocks6628]

Appreciate your crown land info. Where to find paper contour maps and habitat info is what I'm struggling with. I need to find specific habitats for specific birds.

[@DevinAK49]

our black flies in Alaska get really bad like that too.

[@axemanfishing2703]

Wondering what bird we are hearing in your intro to vids. It starts lower, then tweets higher another 5 or 8 times. Heard it this weekend, and made me think of your vids right away. Thanks Al

[@PineMartyn]

It's the song of the White-Throated Sparrow. It's a sound that I have always associated with summer in the woods. Cheers, - Martin

[@alf3553]

Congratulations on the fire 🔥. I still need to try that. The bugs remind me of a fishing trip two years ago. Fishing in Northern Ontario in the spring, gotta love it. I don't see your VCS bug tent, looks like it would have been a good day for it.

[@PineMartyn]

Thanks alf3553. That would have been a good day for the Eureka Parawing bug shelter for sure, but it was just a day outing and not a camping trip. Had we been camping, we'd have use that shelter for sure. Cheers, Martin

[@alf3553]

Wilderness Innovation make a small bug shelter called the Canopy Bug Net, I'm tempted to get one just for days like in your video. My wife and I hiked a trail one day and Wow by the time we got back to the truck we just about needed to go to the blood bank to top up. The trail had some really nice views and places to stop, but stopping was not something you want to do. I always have some bug spray and now a sea to summit head net just for outings like this. Always enjoyed your videos,thanks for making them. Your VCS video is also the reason I purchased a VCS. Love that thing