Rapala
Rapala
Catching fish on a warm, sunny day is about as good as it gets for many anglers. Yet, lurking in that luxurious sunshine are harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause sunburns, while exposure over time can cause skin cancer, eye cataracts, and other problems. Here are some sun safety steps to help you stay protected when enjoying time on the water.
Check the UV Index
When planning a day fishing, it’s wise to check the UV Index, which spans 0 to 11+ in Canada. The higher the UV Index, the quicker skin will burn and the more sun protection precautions you should take.
Local weather forecasts provide the UV Index rating anytime it is 3 or above and can be viewed using a weather forecast app, such as AccuWeather, The Weather Network or Weather Underground. The UV Aware app also provides the latest UV Index, current weather, a time to burn countdown timer, and various sun safety tips.
Cover Skin
Wearing long sleeve shirts and lightweight pants to cover skin is a good precaution during UV ratings of 3 or greater. Quality outdoor apparel with a high ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) will provide the best protection.
The face, neck and ears should be protected. A UV Buff is a popular choice among anglers preferring to wear ball caps. Pulled over the face and ears, a UV Buff provides 50% UV protection. Wearing a wide-brim hat is another option.
An angler’s hands also tend to receive a lot of sun exposure. Cover skin by wearing sun sleeves featuring a thumb-hole as these will extend beyond the wrist and knuckles. Sun gloves also work well.
Protect Your Eyes
Wearing a pair of quality sunglasses to shield eyes from harmful UV rays is another must-do. While anglers typically wear polarized lenses to see underwater, it’s important to buy a pair delivering 100% UV protection to fully shield eyes from harmful rays.
Use Sunscreen
Applying sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside and reapplying it as per the product’s directions will prevent sunburns and protect skin. Use sunscreen with at least a 30 sun protection factor (SPF). A waterproof or water-resistant, “sport” style sunscreen is a good choice for anglers. Using SPF lip balm is also recommended.
Other Sun Safety Tips:
- UV rays can pass through clouds, making skin protection just as important when it’s overcast as when it’s sunny
- During very high UV ratings consider fishing early or late, avoiding midday when UV rays are the strongest
- Water reflects the sun, which can mean getting hit with UV rays from below as well as above; protect yourself accordingly when fishing
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated in hot conditions, remembering to “drink before you get thirsty”
- See this printable poster from Environment and Climate Change Canada for more details on sun protection actions based on UV Index
Originally published here.
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