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While fishing for black bream under the searing Australian winter sun, the columnist shields his skin from cancer-causing rays with long trousers, long-sleeve shirt, face mask, gloves and sunscreen. PAUL BRUUN / NEWS&GUIDE

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A glance at passengers and operators of aquatic craft on all sorts of water courses reveals some unusual getups. More and more modern outdoor types resemble old-time movie bad guys disguised to snatch a strong box of gold from the Wells Fargo wagon. But these modern masked men (and women) aren’t covering up to avoid identification by the Pinkerton agents. Instead, the informed ones are using barrels of sunscreen, as well as face masks, gloves, long sleeves and trousers, to hide from the sun.

Interest in protecting ourselves from further sun injury coincides directly with the annual rise in patients, especially within our aging population, affected by dangerous skin ailments. Skin protection is particularly important to higher-risk individuals — those with blue, gray or green eyes, blonde to red hair, and fair complexions.

Earlier this summer, Dr. Christian Anderson of Western Wyoming Dermatology presented an information-packed lunchtime seminar that carefully examined the various types of skin cancer and preferred treatments. In addition, Dr. Anderson outlined the Mohs surgery procedure, designed to remove deep-rooted skin cancer conditions, practiced by his office colleagues.

Even before this presentation, as the result of the tragic early melanoma death of a Florida fishing guide friend, I embraced the cover-up-from-the-sun cue and strongly preached it to others. When Dr. Anderson’s presentation hit the screen in the St. John’s Medical Center classroom, however, the graphic nature of skin damage became even more personal. By the end of the hour, I wasn’t alone in touching and examining every new skin blemish I’d discovered in recent times.

“If you notice something suspicious growing on your skin and it doesn’t go away in three weeks, have it checked,” is the advice of Dr. Anderson. He estimates that out of 300 biopsies, about 30 come back positive. Primary areas of concern are the ears, eyes, lips and nose zones, but legs, groin and even portions appearing to be frequently under cover, such as the back and feet, are susceptible. 

Many people who love the outdoors realize that slow-growing basal cell carcinomas are the most common skin cancers and that together with squamous cell carcinomas, they outnumber all other cancers combined. Early detection and treatment of these tumor types is usually successful. Not so encouraging is the fact that nearly 7,000 Americans die annually from malignant melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer.

Extensive educational information, illustrations, and details about treatments for all skin cancers and other skin problems may be studied at Western Wyoming Dermatology’s website, located at www.westernwyomingderm.com.

Easily the most daunting fact in the skin cancer presentation by Dr. Anderson  — who’s experienced at scraping, slicing and pouring liquid nitrogen on my neglected complexion — is that as we age, skin cancer appears with increasing frequency. Research experts suspect that skin cell damage that occurred years earlier is kept under control by constant attack from a healthy immune system. Unfortunately, as skin cells reproduce, new cells carry a historical cancer imprint. As people age, the immune system is called upon frequently to repel attacks on more important primary life zones, such as the heart, brain and other organs. Skin protection diminishes and the theory concludes that this allows previously damaged cells to grow and appear with greater regularity.

Despite this skin cancer presentation way back in June, I am regularly haunted by the pictures and details of conditions that without proper treatment will progress to a gruesome conclusion. The seminar encouraged intensified use of sunscreen, applied right before leaving the house, and also advocated wearing Sun Gloves and long-sleeve shirts and avoiding the sun during the midday heat. To these suggestions I’ve added having something available for face coverage.

My latest preferences are Sol Sunguard (Kinder Sport SPF 45), which hasn’t yet hurt my eyes as other products do, and various sun masks by Patagonia, Simms and Buff. A small plastic bottle of Blink lubricating drops for late-afternoon eye rejuvenation is also a must-carry item.

When saltwater fly-fishing great Stu Apte began wearing cloth operating-room face masks way back in the 1960s as a way to protect himself from the reflected rays of the Florida Keys sun, he probably didn’t think  that 50 years later there would be a booming market in a refined version of that product. Referred to in a long-ago magazine story as “The Surgeon Of Little Torch Key,” Stu must find the bank robber getups many of us wear these days to be quite amusing.

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Last week in West Yellowstone, Mont., at the annual conclave of the Federation of Fly Fishermen, Jackson’s own Scott Sanchez received the prestigious Buzz Busick Award for fly-tying innovation and excellence.

Scott has long been known for his creative solutions to numerous fly creations for both saltwater  and freshwater, and a movement has been under way for him to get the recognition he so deserves. Currently, in addition to writing magazine stories, developing new patterns, custom fly-tying and getting ready for hunting season with his son, Tebo, Scott manages the fishing department of Jack Dennis Outdoor Shop.

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In a Christmas shopping column several years back, I proudly announced the introduction of emergency satellite tracking communication for personal use. Lately, many rescue organizations are responding to hikers, hunters and backpackers setting off their emergency locator devices for not-so-important reasons. Even Grand Teton National Park isn’t immune to this foolishness. So it appears that emergency response and search and rescue teams are getting expensive practice time that often includes helicopter work to act as room service for whiners and snivelers who are thirsty.

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Dr. Blaine Woodfin, one of the founders of the Sporting Clays Classic hosted by the Boy Scouts of America’s Grand Teton Council, says Jackson shotgunners did well in the second annual event held at the Lazy Triple Creek Ranch near Rexburg, Idaho.

Brett Kroger of the Wells Fargo team posted the high overall individual score. Meanwhile, my favorite personal plumbing contractor, Dr. Phil Lowe, captained his Urology Associates team of Mark DeHaan and Western artist Scott Christensen to high team score. Now I understand why Dr. Lowe regularly includes his favorite imported DeHaan shotguns in our shooting discussions that occupy the more pleasant portions of my office checkups.

Dr. Woodfin is eagerly anticipating the 2011 shoot,  which will probably have even more than this year’s 100 participants. Visit www.grandtetoncouncil.org for event details and registration information. 

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Paul Bruun writes weekly on his adventures and misadventures in the great outdoors.