Sun Protection

I hate sunblock.  I REALLY hate sunblock!  It is actually difficult for me to find the words to describe how much I hate block.  I hate the smell for one.  For another, I hate how it makes my skin feel greasy.  Maybe more than anything, I hate the fact that after I apply sunblock while fishing, I am of the belief that any lure I touch for the rest of the day will subsequently smell like sunblockand thus deter any potential bites.

Along the same lines, I hate sunburns.  The thought of skin cancer is a fear of mine and not something I want to experience or put others through.  Also, I don't care for how my wife nags me about  my sunblock application procedures.  Even more, I hate getting a lecture after acquiring a sunburn due to my sunblock application procedures.  Finally, I hate how sunblock is a necessary evil and something that I have to participate in.  Apparently, other people in Missouri feel the same way as referenced by the Moldy Chum article that I posted last week (paragraph 1 to be specific).

I decided early this year that things were going to be different for me.  With advances in technology and lightweight clothing with a high SPF.  A post by Mr. Bill Heavy of  Field and Stream really cemented my belief that I could protect myself from harmful radiation without the need for sunblock and all the unpleasantries the follow.  His post is pretty compelling if you are in need of some swaying or convincing.  He also includes a discount code for skin protecting face masks as well.  Here's a link:

Link: http://www.fieldandstream.com/coming-out-dark-ages-skin-protection

I really didn't know where to start with my clothing acquisitions so started where I usually start when I take on an unfamiliar project; with inexpensive stuff to help me get my feet wet.  It just so happened that I had some store credit at Rainbow Fly Shop and a nice fishing/sunscreen shirt was on sale.  I got lucky that a high quality Redington shirt was my first acquisition.  On Father's Day, I was gifted a light blue fishing shirt and lightweight khaki pants that convert to shorts via zipper.  Both were from Bass Pro.  I also picked up a nice green face mask with some cool R.L. Winston graphics and some cheaper masks that I picked up at Walmart.  In a short amount of time, I had enough clothes to protect me during a weekend of fishing for about $100 dollars.

After a few outings with my new digs, I found that the clothes I picked up had a few other unforeseen advantages.  Both of the shirts have buttons and flaps to make the long sleeve shirts into short sleeve.  They also contain small, sewn-in openings that spools of tippet can be fed through.  Both shirts also have velcro flaps that can secure your fly rod while changing flies.  The pants/shorts also contain more storage than some fishing vests and are incredibly comfortable.  So are the shirts for that matter with the more expensive Redington shirt being A LOT more comfortable.  Apparently you get what you pay for when it comes to skin protection clothing.

Finally, I would be remiss to not mention why I like the face masks.  I have seen folks wearing them for a few years now and always thought they looked a little silly.  I thought it was just a trendy way of folks to say "Hey, look at me!  I'm cool too."  However, that all changed when I went fishing with a guy on a farm pond, in the middle of nowhere.  When he wore his mask all day and didn't get burned, it got my attention.  And while I was busy lathering myself up 2-3 times over the course of the day, he was able to simply pull or drop his mask as he wanted.  He also looked kind of cool; like a fishing ninja.  I like ninjas!  I've always wanted to be a ninja.  So I finally picked up a mask (on sale of course) and I'll be darned if I didn't feel cool.  I felt like a silent, fishing assassin when I had it up around my face and like a cowboy when it was around my neck.  I've always wanted to be a cowboy too!  These things are comfortable, lightweight, and versatile.  What else could a fisherman need?

The aforementioned "fancy pants".

So in closing, I have made the transition to looking like a cowboy, fishing ninja that wears button up shirts to fish in and literally wearing "fancy pants".  I am NOT trendy, I am health conscious and sunblock free.  Sure I miss my cutoff t-shirts and mesh athletic shorts, but hey, I haven't looked like a tomato in a long time and the lectures from my wife have decreased by nearly 90%.  They say that if you love something, you should set it free.  If that is true, then what do I do with all of this unused sunblock because I hate that stuff and I am done with it!

I started off with just a mask but quickly advanced to the full outfit.

I've even got my kid on board with the idea...even if he does look like  Audrey Hepburn.

See the resemblance?