In the strange event you somehow haven’t noticed, it’s hot every day, and the evening, it barely cools down, dropping to temperatures we considered hot just a month ago. If you’ve been living indoors in total climate control, this is the time to abandon that and get out to take advantage of summer.In July, the sun shines most days from about 5:30 a.m. until about 8:30 p.m., and we won’t complain about those days when it rains because we usually need it.
If you are out taking advantage of those 15 hours of sunlight on the water as you should be, be aware of how important it is to take care of yourself. Some serious maladies can be caused by extended exposure to the sun and overheating. Staying in the shade is good, but sooner or later, you’ll have to come out from under the T-top to catch a fish.
We have been rudely awakened to the fact that continued exposure to the warming rays of the sun have some negative effects other than excessive warmth and dehydration. We have learned the ultraviolet rays can have negative effects on our skin and eyes.
Most of my generation and those beforehand were only concerned about sunburn for the discomfort it caused. Now we know all that sun and peeling layers of skin was not good. Many of my generation have and are undergoing skin treatments directly attributed to too much sun. Some have been caught in time and are not malignant, but many involve the “C” word we all dread to hear.
Heat prostration, exhaustion, stress and stroke were addressed to some degree when we were younger, but these were considered more of a concern for those working in the sun and were never really associated with outdoor recreation. We ate salt tablets and drank water and considered ourselves to be fine. Now we know the effects of overheating and dehydration can be cumulative and can accrue over time without a previous serious incident.
Clothing is a major part of properly preparing for a day in the sun. Technology has come a long way from the time when cotton was considered the only fabric to wear in the hot outdoors. Numerous polyesters and microfibers are available that wick and disperse moisture while cooling you and offering sun protection. Some even have insect repellants incorporated into the fabric. Columbia is one of the companies that comes to everyone’s mind during discussions regarding this. Ex Officio, Under Armour, Patagonia, Royal Robbins, Hook and Tackle, Fishworks and others are also offering clothing with the newest technologies to help keep outdoorsmen protected from the elements.
Some articles of clothing are designed and engineered for specific activities. The fishing shirts that have become so popular over the years and zip-off pants were initially designed for fishermen but have become popular with all outdoorsmen. These are typically made of materials that offer sun protection and cooling qualities. I do not know of a rating system for cooling qualities, but sun protection is measured on a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), and the higher the number, the better the protection.
While I like the look and feel of many of the multi-pocket fishing shirts, I have developed a special fondness for a simpler line of T-shirt style fishing shirts made in Florida. Breathe Like a Fish (www.breathelikeafish.com) matches wicking polyester fabrics with their sun-blocking qualities with mesh breathing panels in areas that are generally protected. The shirts feature UPF 30 microfiber wicking bodies and are available with or without a sewn in sun hood of UPF 50 sun blocking rating. The microfiber material wicks any sweat (or other moisture) away from the body and uses it to cool the fisherman. Any light breeze passes through the vented breathing panels and stimulates the cooling. My preference is the shirt with the attached sun hood, so I don’t get an odd sunburn above the collar. The hood wears like a turtleneck when not pulled up.
A long-billed cap or wide-brim hat is excellent sun protection. Some caps have a flap that drops down in the back to protect the neck and ears. Many guides have begun wearing long-billed caps and pulling a sun hood, such as a Buff (www.buffwear.com) up over the back and sides of the cap for maximum protection.
Sunscreen is a sun protection that comes with a little controversy but cannot be overlooked. Sunscreen comes in three basic types and works by either absorbing or reflecting some of the sun’s UV rays. Sunscreens are rated in SPF (Sun Protection Factor) — higher numbers should afford more protection. The main concern about sunscreen is it primarily protects against UVB rays, not UVA rays, but some products offer at least a little UVA protection. It is wise to read the labels, not just grab one with a high SPF rating.
Many companies make sunscreens, and some are better for different skin types. If you have sensitive skin or issues with sunburn, you should consult your dermatologist and see if he might recommend something better suited for your skin type.
Fishermen, golfers, tennis players, baseball players and other outdoor folks should use sunscreen, but they often don’t want to get it on their hands when they apply it. Several companies make sunscreens that have an applicator on the container and don’t require spreading with the hands. One is Hands Free Sunscreen (www.handsfreesunscreen.com), which is usually available in tennis and golf pro shops.
Many fishermen like to wear open shoes but still need some sun protection for their feet. In past years, I have developed little sore spots where the sun burned little circles on my feet through the holes in my Crocs. However, if you use any sunscreen in this situation, your feet will slip in the shoes all day and that isn’t good. The same is true with sandals and some excellent fishing sandals are available.
I know it looks a bit dorky, but I have begun wearing shorty socks with my fishing sandals, and it has done a good job of preventing sunburn on my feet. Several companies make waterproof socks and hydro socks, and I’ll try them at some time, but right now the shorty socks are doing the job well, and they even help your feet grip wet sandals and shoes.
Sunglasses are also very important. Polarized lenses protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays, and they cut through surface glare and allow you to look down into the water. Polarized sunglasses are also available in prescriptions, and several companies make them with magnifying readers to help tired old eyes see small mono and fluoro to tie knots.
My difficulty is seeing at a distance, but I see fine to read and such without glasses. With my next prescription, I’ll probably have to go to some sort of bifocals, but I haven’t yet. However, I have a pair of prescription sunglasses from Ono’s Trading Company (www.onostradingcompany.com) that have my prescription in the lens and then have small 1.5 magnification reader panels in the bottom of the lens, which I use to tie knots. This allows me to keep my prescription polarized sunglasses on at all times, yet work up close tying knots without having to remove them or look over or under the glasses. I really like them and would suggest trying a pair if you have eye issues. They make any prescription with or without reader panels and their standard sunglasses are available with magnifications of 1.5 to 2.5 in the readers.
Staying hydrated is a major part of comfort and health in hot weather. Water is an excellent fluid to drink for this. If you would like some taste, there are flavored waters and protein waters that supposedly also have a little energy. Four quarts a day is the suggested intake for active folks; that increases to eight quarts when active in hot weather. That water must be used by our bodies somehow. Have you ever though about how seldom you have to urinate even when drinking lots of water in hot weather?
Sports drinks can help when used in moderation, but many nutrition and health experts say they are too much for a steady diet. While they may taste good, soft drinks and adult beverages are not good for keeping cool and hydrated. They may offer a feeling of temporary refreshment but often serve to dehydrate, rather than hydrate. That cherished microbrew or favorite cola is best reserved for after a long, hot day in the sun— when you’re cleaning the fish you caught or grilling fresh fish for dinner.
Eating light and eating fruits and such are also good things in hot weather. Many fruits have good juices, with natural sugars that give a little energy while keeping you cool. Boaters have issues with bananas, so this isn’t necessarily for them — except for consumption pre- and post-trip —but bananas are an excellent source of a little quick energy and are surprisingly refreshing when stored in a cooler.
Oranges, tangerines and apples are fruits that store well in coolers and are very refreshing when eaten chilled. My personal favorites are the melon family. Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew all have good cooling qualities and can be cut into smaller sections before the trip and stored in a resealable container in the cooler.
I used to fish with one fellow who liked to bring a whole watermelon on the boat. He would store it in the iced-down fish box until the heat really got to us, and then break it out. I don’t know that I can find the right words to explain how good that cold, fresh watermelon was. If you are from the South, you understand what I mean when I say, “It really hit the spot.” We could probably have done better than cutting it with the filet knife, but we washed it well before starting, and after the first bite, it was so good no one cared.
Keeping cool in the hot outdoors has many approaches. It is amazing just how much the proper clothing, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses and staying hydrated can add to keeping your experiences pleasant. If you don’t have all of this, don’t forego getting out. Just use what you have and adjust or limit your exposure as needed. I have pictures from a Guatemala trip years back when a bandana held on by a hat was sun protection for my neck and ears. The purpose is to enjoy the outdoors, even when it’s hot. These are simply some tips to help you keep your cool when the weather isn’t.
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