Most of us can remember being welcomed to a trout stream or some othei site of outdoor activity by hordes of mosquitoes and or deer flies, and then finding we had left the insect repellant at home.

Did you know that a very effective, easy to use, free for the taking mosquito and deer fly repellant is close at hand all summer long? Surprisingly, few people do.

It is common Yarrow, a weed, wild flower, or herb, depending on who's talking. Sometimes known as Milfoil, it's familiar across Canada and throughout the United States.

Although formerly regarded as a European emigrant, most botanists now believe that the common species is truly native in North America. At any rate, both Indians and early whites regarded it as a medical herb useful in the treatment of wounds and knew of its insect repelling qualities. For any of us who spend much time outdoors, it's well worth learning to identify.

Wild Yarrow has an erect stem and may grow from six inches to three feet tall. The leaves are fern like and very finely divided. Its blossoms are clusters of small white flowers, closely grouped in flat topped bunches, three inches or more across. It blooms all summer. The blossoms may take on a gray brown hue towards autumn.

The only common plant it might be confused with is Queen Anne's Lace. once compared side by side, however, there should be no trouble differentiating between them.

One of the unusual traits of Yarrow is that its leaves and blossoms both have the same pungent scent. Not unpleasant, it is slightly reminiscent of camphor.

To use, crumple the leaves or flowers and rub them on exposed body areas. It is just as effective as commercial preparations (I think more-so) and less messy to use. It can also be crushed slightly then tucked up under your hat so the blossoms and leaves protect the face and neck.

Early settlers used to bruise it, then hang it in cabin doors and window openings to discourage insect pests. Some modern picnickers place sprigs on tables for the same reason. At least one lady steeps the blossoms to make a rub-on repellant.

A hardy perennial that propagates through roots and seeds, it occurs wild in fields and waste areas everywhere. I have found it along highways in the Prairie States, by beaver ponds in Saskatchewan, and high in the Rocky Mountains.

In our state it grows along fences and roads and flourishes on open land such as pastures. In the woods, look for it in sunlit clearings, along old logging roads, and fire lanes.

It would be difficult for a stream angler to ever be more than few rods from an adequate supply.

I first learned of this use for Yarrow years ago from George Backay's 'Outdoor Life in the Land of Black Hawk" newspaper column. Being an avid stream fisher, I have tested it thoroughly since and am completely sold on it.

In June, I had to spend a couple of days brushing out a wooded area near a cabin in Price County. It was hot, sweaty work, and mosquitoes and deer flies were ferocious. Earlier I had noticed some Yarrow close by so I stopped working long enough to gather some. I crushed it and rubbed it on my arms, face, and neck. My wife wove some in and out of the vent holes in my hat and I thrust some sprigs up under it so the leaves hung over my neck and forehead.

When I went back to work, the mosquitoes stayed clear away. A couple of deer flies buzzed me once or twice without alighting, then left. I worked all day without being bothered by a single insect and the next day used Yarrow again with the same results.

This brings to mind an experience on the White River near Wautoma some years back. I had applied Yarrow liberally because mosquitoes were abundant, and was busy fly fishing when I heard a rustle behind me.

Glancing around I saw a full-grown deer standing only five or six feet from me. It was a doe, and she stood with her nose quivering and thrust towards me sniffing and peering as if trying to figure me out.

Each time I cast she would jerk back afoot or so, then approach again. After a few minutes she left but followed close by and repeated the performance several times that afternoon. She was plainly puzzled as to what I was, and couldn't identify me because of the Yarrow scent.

Several times since, I have had deer show no fear of me after I applied Yarrow. Perhaps some of you bow hunters or wild life photographers might like to experiment with this.

Just so the article has something for everybody, the scientific name for common Yarrow is ACHILLEA MILLEFORIUM.