Anglers Need Sun Protection Too

Is there anything more important that the latest fishing rod, reel, fishing lure or fly pattern? Yes, protection from the harmful UVA and UVB sun rays while out on the water. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, “one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.” That’s a sobering statistic. So with this type of  information, what are some of the ways anglers can protect themselves while in the outdoors?

First, keep the sunscreen handy. Look for brands that provide both UVA and UVB protection. Your dermatologist, doctor, or local pharmacist should have some recommendations for you. And if the directions advise it, reapply often during the day.

Second, look for headwear and clothing that provide a UPF (ultra-violet protection factor) rating. Here is a UPF guideline:

    * UPF 15 - 24 Good Protection
    * UPF 25 - 39 Very Good Protection
    * UPF 40 - 50+ Excellent Protection

For more information about UPF, go to your favorite search engine and type: "wikipedia sun protective clothing". All the clothing in our store at The Fly Fishing Shop feature a UPF rating of 30 or higher.

Third, some fingerless sun protective gloves can provide excellent protection on exposed wrists and hands. They can also help you grip a rod handle better too.

And lastly, don’t forget about the uv protective sunglasses. Reflections from water can be hard on the eyes. Plus, you will see fish below the surface much better with uv lenses.