Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer Can Be Killers

That message sinks in about the time, as one angler put it, "a dermatologist starts cutting chunks of meat off you."

I have no problem relating to that statement--been there, done that, and have many T-shirts to prove it. As a matter of fact, I was in my dermatologist's office just this past Wednesday, having yet another chunk of meat cut out of my right arm.

I knew this would be the drill as early as two or three weeks ago when a little red spot suddenly showed up, started growing, and nearly immediately felt sore.Those are the usual first signs that I'm destined for another episode with the scalpel.

Like the fella who made the comment in the opening paragraph, I never worried about sun protection as a kid. I spent many hours outdoor, getting, in the words of my mom, "as brown as a berry." It should come as no surprise that I carried that same care-free attitude well into my adult years. That exposure, however, is what I'm paying for today. No matter how much protection I use now, I can't dodge the reality that I'll be paying for that earlier stupidity for the rest of my life.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than five million people in the U.S. are treated for skin cancer every year, and an estimated 10,000 people die of melanoma annually.

Fishermen are particularly susceptible to sun damage because we get a double whammy: direct sun from above, as well as reflected sun from the water. Add in the fact we spend countless hours standing on boats during full sun, and you have a recipe for disaster. The good news is that there are lots of ways to protect ourselves from the effects of the sun, starting with sunscreen lotions applied to all exposed portions of skin. Most people, however, don't apply enough, and they fail to reapply after sweating. Staying in the shade helps, but even if you use an umbrella on the boat, you're still exposed to light reflected from the water.

Clothing should be our first line of defense. A lot of people settle for an ordinary T-shirt, but the best protection is afforded by shirts made of a moisture-wicking fabric with UV protection built in. If you're a fisherman who spends whole days on the water, look for shirts with an SPF of at least 50.

Another popular piece of clothing with fishermen today is gaiters, which are designed to cover various parts of the body that your regular shirt and hat may leave exposed, including hands, neck, lower part of your face, etc. These, too, are available in fabrics that wick away moisture to keep you comfortable. Hand gaiters are especially great for guys who won't put sunscreen on their hands for fear of getting it on the baits and turning off the fish. Neck/face gaiters can be pulled up to cover the entire lower portion of the face, including the nose and lips. With a great pair of UV-protection sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, you have excellent coverage, even from sunlight reflected off the water.

If you don't wear gaiters, then at least get a broad-brimmed hat or one of those saltwater hats with fabric that covers your neck, and wear sunscreen on your face. Don't forget to reapply several times each day. SPF-rated sunglasses are an absolute must, and they have the added benefit of letting you see into the water much better.

Another option is a sun hoodie. Designed to protect your neck and ears, as well as the sides of your face, it is light weight, moisture-wicking, and has an SPF of 50.

You also might consider woven fabric shirts, which tend to stand away from the skin and allow more air to circulate. Many are vented in the back and under the arms to keep you cooler.

Technology keeps advancing, so many companies offer clothing with SPF properties that last the lifetime of the garment. Here's the deal, though: Read the labels and follow the laundering instructions. That's crucial.

The bottom line is cover up and live.