In addition to the more common freckles, moles and age spots, there are also dry, scaly patches (actinic keratosis) and even a few basal cell carcinomas, the most common form of skin cancer (fortunately not usually considered life threatening). Just as worryingly, there are already several scars on my hands and back, testament to the dozen or so potentially cancerous growths surgically removed, one of which was considered ‘potentially nasty’.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out why. As
a child we knew nothing about the concept of ‘sun smart’, so my mother, who loved ‘brown children’, encouraged me and my sisters to smother ourselves with coconut oil. We liked the smell, too, even as it gradually mingled with an aroma resembling roasting pork as the day wore on.
Many years spent outdoors fishing on or near the water followed, with the sun blazing down and the water’s surface reflecting plenty of the sun’s rays back up at me, for a double dose of sunny ‘goodness’.
I remember my peeling nose as a youngster, already red and raw from itchy scratching, becoming burned again and again.
And, later, in my 20s and 30s, I’d happily get sunburned in early summer so I’d be tanned later, the tan helping to hide sun-induced freckles and moles accumulated over many years.
I can put some of this behaviour down to my dislike of greasy sunscreens which, apart from giving me zits, transferred to my fishing gear, baits and lures. I worried that the smell of sunscreen might deter hungry fish. Also, I hated interrupting my fishing to apply it. Often I’d only ever apply sunscreen after my body took on a ruddy glow or I could feel my face getting really hammered.
Then, in my late thirties, I finally wised up – I realised that I needed to cover up, for the sake of my health.
While I had always worn a hat of some sort, from caps (some with back or side flaps) and floppy bucket-style hats, through to wide-brimmed cowboy hats and visors, nearly all of them were only effective when the sun was overhead. The rest of the time, when that blazing ball was angled lower, my face and neck were still getting blasted by ultraviolet rays – both UVA and UVB. At least I’d stopped taking my shirt off!
Finally, recognising my situation, I started wearing sun-smart protective clothing, as I continue to do when out fishing. You should too.
Let’s start from the top and work downwards…
While legionnaire caps and wide-brimmed hats seem like sensible sun protection for our heads, they tend to be blown back, down or off when the boat’s underway, exposing our faces to the sun. (Don’t get me started on problems with fast boats, wind and caps. I love them but they’re just as bad!) Instead,
I started wearing stretchy, sun-resistant facial coverings such as buffs or gaitors that protect the face in windy conditions, when underway and, unlike a hat, from sun reflected off the water.
I also learned it’s possible to prepare for the sun while dressing for a day’s fishing – I slip a buff or gaiter over my head so it sits loosely around my neck, ready to pull up over my face when needed. Pulled up, it covers my lower face, including my nose, right up to my sunglasses.
This simple item of clothing also provides welcome protection from the wind, giving my chapped, cracked lips some welcome respite, as well as warding off the worst of the chill during the cooler months.
Some sun-masks are fancier than others, perhaps offering breathing holes so sunglasses don’t fog up, or maybe being contoured to fit down over the shoulders better. Personally,
I find a simple cylindrical design works best, provided the stretch material is high quality and reasonably easy to breathe through. Whichever your choice, make sure it has a high UV protection rating (i.e. UPF 50 plus).
Next is the shirt. For many years specialist fish apparel was limited to the ‘tropical tourist fisho’ option: a collared, long-sleeved reasonably lightweight button-up shirt. This was okay, but prone to leaving a triangular sunburned patch above the open-necked collar. Fortunately, we now have a massive range of very smart, lightweight, long-sleeved, moisture-wicking and quick-drying options, perhaps with a high-scoop-neck, hood or in some cases even a buff-style face protector built in. Again, these should all have a UPF 50-plus rating.
Missing your favourite fishing T-shirt? Simply wear a long-sleeved sun-protecting garment underneath it, or else a pair of purpose made stretch sleeves. Available from good fishing outfitters, these are typically tight fitting with an elasticised top so they don’t fall down. However, they shouldn’t be so tight as to restrict your movements or cut off your blood flow!
The sleeves tend to be worn from the upper bicep down to the lower wrist, and should be long enough to cover the tops of your fishing gloves – which is the case for whatever shirt is worn.
Gloves are another important barrier to sun damage. Several scars on my hands bear mute testament to too much time spent in the sun, with the resultant surgical removal of abnormal moles and lesions.
When lightweight, stretchy, tight-fitting fishing gloves became available, I was quick to get a pair – and they proved to be a godsend. In addition to protection from the sun, some have leather or Kevlar panels sewn in to offer extra grip and/or protection from fish spines and gill rakers.
Next, moving further down the well-lived-in Kitteridge body, we come to the long pants. These still tend to be lightweight, fast-drying, usually from a manmade fabric, and relatively loose in the leg so they offer some ventilation, with a drawstring at the top to secure them under my tum-tum. However, I do get why some fishos might prefer a set of elasticated leg sleeves instead, worn under a pair of shorts, even though some of the more colourful designs can perhaps make the wearer appear more interested in dancing than fishing…
Finally, the shoes. I hate to admit it, but I still haven’t quite learned my lesson – I still wear a pair of Croc-type open-topped fishing shoes. They are great for launching and retrieving the boat, provide good grip while on board, and provide protection for around 60% of my feet. Unfortunately, the other 30% is now a mosaic-like pattern of tan spots on paler skin. So yes, I’m open to suggestions.
