There are two things that will ruin your chances of catching fish. One is sunscreen, the other is DEET. It's been proven in laboratories that fish won't touch a bait that has been contaminated with these substances. I'm not saying you shouldn't protect yourself from the sun and bugs. What I am saying is after you apply this stuff, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you touch your bait. If you have applied sunscreen or DEET, make sure when you scratch your nose or wipe your brow you wash again. I have a towel in the boat and when I need to scratch an itch or wipe my face I use the towel. That way, I won't put the fish into negative mode by trying to feed them something they won't eat.
Gary Roach is a professional angler from Merrifield, Minn.
