Hey Carp diem,
I guess its as my ole man used to say, " Every day is fishing day, not everyday is catching day"....for the bugs, I always spray insect repellent when I go fishing. You know what, when you catch that nice one, and you've had it fried with a cold beer or rum or whatever is your fancy, you dont remember the times when you didnt catch anything....
Better luck with the cats next time around....