Clothing, sunscreens provide layer of protection
Most fishermen have experience with sunburn and sweat, a couple of things that result from fishing during the summer. One is good, and the other is bad, but I’m going to mention both this month. Hopefully, you take it as advice from a friend. Let me assure you, this is something I practice as well as preach.
Many people remember things better with short catchy phrases, and the American Cancer Society has one for us. “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap” is a catch phrase that can help you remember key steps you can take to protect yourself from UV rays. In its simplest form, this refers to slipping on a shirt, slopping on some sunscreen, slapping on a hat and wrapping on a pair of sunglasses.
A shirt is a shirt is a shirt — not! Clothing technology has come a long way. Fabrics are available for almost every purpose, and several block UV rays. Many people refer to these as tech materials, and shirts and pants made with them are lightweight, cool and offer UV protection in various degrees.
Shirts designed for fishing usually take one of two directions. One has all the pockets and different flaps and vents to allow air to circulate and cool the fishermen. The other is the simpler approach of T-shirts, but made with tech materials.
Many companies make both styles and do them well. I am a big guy and tend to sweat when exerting in warm weather, and I have found a tech shirt I prefer for its superior cooling ability. Breathe Like a Fish shirts (www.breathelikeafish.com) are UV-protecting shirts that use mesh vents under the arms and down the sides for increased cooling. I like the simple, long sleeve T-shirt style; it is sun protection and cooling in a simple design, available with or without sewn-in sun hoods.
Whatever you choose to wear, a rating system exists for sun protection. The scale is UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), and the higher numbers provide better protection.
Sunscreen is sun protection to use on exposed skin. The main thing here is your face, but it could also be for arms, hands and feet.
All sunscreens protect against UVB rays, and more are adding UVA protection. Sunscreens are rated in SPF (Sun Protection Factor), and the higher numbers offer better protection. Take a minute to read the labels and find one that also offers UVA protection. If you have sensitive skin or other issues, ask your dermatologist for a sunscreen recommendation.
Many fishermen don’t like to get sunscreen on their hands, concerned that its scent will transfer to their bait and repel fish — a legitimate concern. Sprays, sticks and other sunscreens are available that don’t require your hands to apply. Different applicators work better for different fishermen. I used to find the Hands Free Sunscreen brand at tennis and golf pro shops, but it is disappearing there. It is still available on Amazon.com.
My new find is Neutrogena (www.neutrogena.com), which offers a variety of stick products for hands-free application and some facial sunscreen products that are rated to 100 SPF. I have been using their facial sunscreen for a while and have been very pleased with it. Neutrogena products are available in many drug stores, Target and Wal-Mart.
I’m going to slip in a paragraph on footwear, as many fishermen like to wear slaps, sandals and other open shoes and need sun protection for their feet. In past years, I have had sun spots where the sun burned little circles on my feet through the holes in my Crocs or stripes on my skin that was exposed when wearing sandals. Several years, I wore shorty socks while fishing, but didn’t really like that. Neutrogena facial sunscreen dries pretty quickly to prevent sweat from running into your eyes, and I have been using it on the tops of my feet when wearing open shoes without any sunburn issues.
As far as your head is concerned, any hat offers better sun protection than none. Visors offer some protection for your face, but you better have a head full of hair or wear sunscreen on a bald head.
I like to fish in caps with a longer brim for more facial protection. Some caps also have fold-down neck covers for ear and neck protection. Hats with a dark underside of the brim reflect less light and are better than light colors, plus, they also help you see better on the water.
Hats with brims all around, like the Tilley Hat (www.tilley.com), offer protection for your ears and a little on the back of the neck. Tilley hats are guaranteed for life and are insured for loss for 2 years. They also have a pocket to store your fishing license.
Sun masks are almost large enough to cover most of your head, and numerous companies are producing them; one of the most popular is Buff (www.buffusa.com). When wearing a full sun mask, I like the one made by Breathe Like a Fish. It has mesh over the mouth and nose so you can exhale without fogging glasses or sunglasses. There are also vents on the side to improve airflow.
The Sun Mullet (www.sunmullet.com) is a new entry into the sun-mask market that works with any hat, headgear, sunglasses and alone to provide multiple configurations of sun protection. You can even wet it to help stay cool. I have been experimenting with the Sun Mullet this spring and summer and really like the versatility.
Sunglasses are very important to fishermen and do more than protect your eyes from UV rays. Good sunglasses also cut through surface glare and allow you to look down into the water. Different versions in polarized and non-polarized options feature regular, prescription and reader lenses. Lens colors and mirroring offer additional help cutting through glare and adding clarity in various light conditions.
Like hats, any sunglasses are better than none. Many experts say plastic lens have inherently better UV protection than glass lens. Polarized lens offer the best protection and usually the clearest vision, especially looking down into water.
Fishermen wearing prescription glasses have several choices for sunlight protection. Several options exist for fitting over or clipping onto prescription glasses. Prescription sunglasses are another option; they can be made fully polarized, in Vantage photochromic, varying polarization lens or in Transition photochromic varying color lenses.
Vantage and Transition lens are products of Transitions Optical (www.transitionsoptical.com). Both vary the color of the lens from clear to dark, while Vantage lens also increase polarization in sunlight. Several colors are available in the photochromic lens, including the recent addition of the green color that has been so popular with RayBan sunglasses.
Staying hydrated isn’t a recommendation from the American Cancer Society, but it is still very important. While all the proper clothing and sunglasses help keep you cool and protected from the sun, staying hydrated is a serious health concern. Drink plenty of water while doing any exercise. Sports drinks are acceptable if water is too bland for your palate, but skip soft drinks and alcohol, as both will dehydrate you. Chilled fruit is excellent for on-water snacks as it cools and hydrates, plus gives a little natural energy.
Have fun while fishing this summer. While you may look great with a dark tan, get it at some other time. The proper clothing, sunscreen and staying hydrated will make for a good day, whether you catch fish or not. It’s up to you to locate some hungry fish!
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