Sun Protection

[Ham]

If you love to fish and you want to fish as long as you can, at some point, you have to start looking afterW your health. Eat healthier and get exercise to keep yourself strong into your golden years is a great idea,  but as outdoorsmen we expose ourselves to the sun more than most and skin cancer is a real concern. 

Sunscreen is great and absolutely vital that we use it every time we go out, but it is only part of the solution for me. I’m getting more and more where I want to use sunscreen on the areas I can’t cover up.

I use a hooded performance tee. They wick sweat away well and block the sun pretty effectively. Hood protects your neck, ears, and for some of us our scalp.

I use a Buff or similar to protect the front of my neck and the back of my neck when my hood is down. I have bought several on these on the cheap. The Buff brand is a little pricey, but less expensive options are out there.

I try to always have a hat or cap. Again, protecting my face, ears, scalp AND helping me see better under the water and therefore fishing better.

I also try to have sunglasses every trip. Protects your eyes from accidental injury and protects them long term from sunlight damage (cataracts). AND helps me see under the water better and fish better. 

I have resumed using sun gloves to protect the backs of my hands. I will admit they take some getting used to and seem to dry my hands out a little bit, but they don’t get sunburned. 

I recommend the Aftco Jason Christie Performance Hoodie. Lots of little extras that really help like thumb loops, Good hood, and very comfortable to wear.

I can also recommend the Glacier Gloves sun gloves.

 

[Quillback]

Good tips, I haven't tried one of those performance hoodies yet, is it relatively comfortable in hot weather?

I have used the Glacier Gloves, I liked them as far as wearability, but had a hard time cleaning them, they are dirt and fish slime magnets, and the washing machine doesn't get them clean - looking for some tips on cleaning them if you or anyone else has any.

[Dutch]

How about them and sweat.  I sweat like a hard run race horse.  

[WoundedOne]

Interesting read. This has been on my mind for a bit. Thanks for the recommendations. How hot does it get in the hoodie?

[mixermarkb]

I can't speak for the Aftco hoodie Ham mentioned, but I have a Columbia PFG hoodie, and it's not too bad. I also sweat a lot, and so far it's been pretty comfortable. When it gets real hot, I'll wet the hood a little with some cold bottled water, and it's amazing how long that fabric stays cool. Almost like wearing air conditioning. I'm sure the Aftco hoodie is at least as good.

[Ham]

I fished the other day when it was 92 and while I got warm, I was not miserable. I think I would have been warm naked. And then terribly sunburned in sensitive areas. 

Yep, gotta wash those gloves. I wash them through out the day with a Camp Soap, but I’m thinking about switching to Dawn Dishwashing soap. 

You could try an oxy clean or similar product in washing machine. 

[netboy]

Good post Ham...I have had numerous skin cancers removed including 1 melanoma, 2 squamous cell cancers and too many basal cell cancers to count. I had a basal cell removed from my nose last fall that took 4 hours of cutting and then plastic surgery to rebuild the area.  My dermatologist back in south Texas recommended using a sunblock instead of a sunscreen product. The sunblock products use either titanium or zinc oxide to block the UV rays.    

[tjm]

I can't stand a hood and don't know how any one could, but I have no problem wearing a brimmed hat/sombrero and long sleeves. Old timers used to use neckerchiefs/silk scarves, Grandpa always buttoned his collar button out on the farm.   On the wash up I find Lemon Joy to get the worm and fish off better than Dawn. I Use Dawn for shop grease and Joy for fishing. ymmv

[moguy1973]

7 hours ago, Dutch said:

How about them and sweat.  I sweat like a hard run race horse.  

Most of the stuff made now breath really well and while you will sweat they'll absorb it and keep you cool at the same time, especially if there's a light breeze.  It all dries pretty quickly and isn't heavy when it is soaked with sweat.

[Ham]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

I can't stand a hood and don't know how any one could

The material is light and not restricting at all.

it keeps me cooler and lets me reduce the amount of areas that need sunscreen applied.