At age 75 and with a nasty case of neuropathy compounded by weakness and balance in my legs, fishing in skinny water with rocks for footing has become
hazardous. I've been thinking about acquiring a helmet of some sort. Suggestions or comments appreciated. Please don't tell me to fish elsewhere; I
will decide when I'll get a boat and fish the still water 
.
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Helmets??
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 aquabonito |
Helmets?? |
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Posts: 1026 08/28/2009 11:49 Angry Andy |
"You can't make new old friends"
 Andy
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cwfly |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 1047 08/28/2009 11:56 |
Andy,
How about a bicycle helmet. Fairly light and with some ventilation. If you don't care for the color, I assume one could be spray painted a matte color of your choosing. Good luck. Charlie The brook runs over the bones of the planet and carries the sky on its back…. Odell Shepard |
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cdmoore |
Snowboarding, bike, or skateboard. | #2 | ||
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Posts: 3020 08/28/2009 12:38
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For looks and head coverage, I like the snowboarding helmets. Less flashy for the most part, more subdued colors in general, not so alien looking as they
aren't really intended to be aerodynamic.
"If you finish in 7 days, I'll pay you for 10. If you finish in 10 days, I'll pay you for 7." ~Ballykissangel
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 16 pmd |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 729 08/28/2009 13:25 |
I think a bike helmet would be great - light, ventilated, comfortable and covers all the critical spots. They come in a good variety of colors - subdued to
flashy. You could be Lance Armstrong in waders.
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spruce grouse |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 1407 08/28/2009 13:59 |
Andy,
How about one of those old Greman helmets with the spike on it? Or the modern version at GermanSpikes.com. If you want to go fishing with me again I'll offer to stand next to you and grab you if you falter. I know I don't look as sexy as the German Spike helmet... |
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cwfly |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 1048 08/28/2009 14:00 |
Although Andy has a serious question with a very common sense reason for asking it, there are times, given his avatar, that one might wish for skills with
photoshop - just to try on some of the helmets for Andy so we could see what they might look like.
The brook runs over the bones of the planet and carries the sky on its back…. Odell Shepard |
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lstshkr |
Some helmet opinions . . . | #6 | ||
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Posts: 282 08/28/2009 14:36 |
Hey Andy,
I think your idea is an excellent one. Most of us would never think of wearing a helmet while fishing, but even at the tender age of 61, I always have to slow down and more carefully pick my way through the rock gardens in skinny water. I work at the local REI outdoor store, and we sell all sorts of helmets in my department. I have a little knowledge of the different designs and some opinions that I'll share. Others might disagree, but here's how I would describe the different types of helmets you might consider: Bike helmets - These mostly cover the top of your cranium and might provide the least amount of coverage. Road bike helmets, while nicely ventilated, don't offer much protection to the lower back of the head. Mountain bike helmets are a little better since they often extend down the back of the head a bit more than the road helmets. One that combines adequete ventilation as well as decent coverage is the Fox Flux helmet - a bit pricey, but it does cover your head nicely and adds protection from a backward fall. Plus, you'll look like you're going 100 mph while standing in the middle of the stream!  (Actually, this
is the bike helmet I wear.)
Ski/Snowboard helmets - These would offer the greatest amount of coverage - they are sort of like full coverage cycle helmets only they are much lighter and thinner (since a fall might have less of an impact than a motorcycle crash). Here's an example of a Boeri ski-style helmet - you can see that it covers virtually all of the cranium. The downside of the Ski/snowboard helmet is that they are designed for winter use and thus are insulated - definitely a detraction on those hot summer days. There are also protective helmets of various designs that are made for handicapped people that might work very well, but I'm not sure what level of protection they offer. And there are also helmets designed for kayakers - you know, in case you're upside down as you careen through a Class IV rapids. I guess if I were looking for a helmet for protection on a stream, I'd try to find one that had good ventilation, decent coverage on all sides of my head, and probably one that was white (to reflect the sunlight) for the sake of keeping me a bit cooler. I am impressed with your desire to go as far as you can to make your fishing experiences as safe as possible - I hope I have that kind of wisdom as I continue feeling the incessant tugs of time on my body. Good luck! Dean D
Some days, it's not even worth chewing through the restraints.
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Marty |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 272 08/28/2009 15:34 |
I'd have to agree with the bike helmet idea. I'm sure you do but I'd also suggest a wading staff. I have intermentent problems with some nerve
damage that leaves the right foot a bit numbish and when I take a spill it's usually b/c I forgot to bring or am not using my staff...... far away but
you're also invited to fish TN anytime the buddy system is good for more than just safety!! Dad has had some serious knee issues (culminating with
replacement) There's a good spot on the elk that is really easy on knees/ feet / everthing we even took a chair to cycle fish and rest..... and for
an easy access spot the dry fly action isn't bad Hit a pawn shop or two or a used sports equipment place and you can probably score a bike helmet on
the cheap
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rgram |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 91 08/28/2009 16:21 |
Andy, take a look at Rock Climbing Helmets.
Bob |
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aquabonito |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 1029 08/28/2009 16:23 Angry Andy |
Thanks for the responses all. Dean's response got me to thinking about just what I would want in such a helmet. I will want protection mostly in the back
of my head, and on the sides with good ventilation. Maybe Orvis could design a helmet built inside a stylish hat of sorts. Anyway I'm going to either
acquire or fabricate something I can use. Watch for my updated Avatar!
"You can't make new old friends"
Andy
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canerodscom |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 2258 08/28/2009 17:02 Bamboo preacher |
For a more pedestrian look, could you not utilize a construction hard hat and get at least some protection?
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caniac.flyfishingarkan... |
helmet | #11 | ||
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Posts: 3 08/28/2009 18:30 |
bike helmets are the only ones i'm familiar with that would have anything resembling a bill, or brim, if you prefer, for eye shade. Very comfortable protection. I don't ride without mine ( yes, fat boy bikes occasionally ). A good folding wading staff will go a long way toward keeping your feet under you. David |
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mvinsel |
come helmet or high water | #12 | ||
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Posts: 347 08/28/2009 18:38 |
I was looking at bike helmets up here and was aghast that they all are super modern looking with psychedlic metalflake finishes, and an extended sweeping back,
which would be useful for aerodynamics when going above fifty mph. Silly fashions.
I have an old one by MSR (Mountain Safety Research) based on their mountain climbing helmets which I like, though it's bright yellow which won't help you sneak up on brookies. I think the older hockey helmets were nice, you might look there. I too like the hard hat idea, and there are very classic looking ones used by foresters. The one I covet is a natural fiberglass, tobacco color that would go perfect with bamboo or old glass on the stream. These might be more designed for things falling on your head rather than your head falling on things. I think you are smart to think of this. -Vinnie in Juneau |
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caniac.flyfishingarkan... |
helmet | #13 | ||
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Posts: 4 08/28/2009 18:56 |
yes, bike helmets do come in some wild colors. they also come in muted colors. mine is charcoal gray. it is shiney, but nothing a little dirt won't cure.
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flyslinger |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 205 08/28/2009 20:55 |
I kind of like Harry's idea. Maybe fabricate a chin strap for it, so it'll stay on better in a fall.
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cross creek one |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 424 08/28/2009 21:18 |
The best part is, the few non-flyflingers out there who don't think we're completely nuts will change their minds in a hurry! You've got a good
idea, though. I was barely into my 40's when I stepped on a supposedly dry rock and ended up dropping about 15 feet in a fraction of a second, breaking a
knee and a new Winston on the way down--could have just as easily have been my head.
-CC |
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mac7x |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 902 08/29/2009 10:07 |
How about a pith helmet? Numerous styles available. Look like Stanley searching for Livingstone, Lt. Chard VC at Rorke's Drift, even Gen. Giap, associated
with VC of a different sort. Light, made for tropics. Though primarily made for protection from the sun, I would think that it would protect one's head in
a fall, if the chin strap was used.
http://www.villagehatshop.com/pith_helmet.html |
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flyslinger |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 206 08/29/2009 21:31 |
That's not a bad idea either. As a matter of fact, I have a dear friend who is 89 that fly fishes while wearing a pith helmet. It fits his persona
perfectly, I might add. A plus is that it's quite cool in the heat, according to him.
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2 Bead Pupa |
How about a ... | #18 | ||
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Posts: 307 08/30/2009 21:23 |
... batters helmet . If modify it slightly by cutting off the ear covering, you'd basically have a baseball hat.
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bluejayee |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 859 08/31/2009 12:05 |
Hi Guys, They make hard hats that are shaped like cowboy hats. It would keep your ears from getting sun burned. One of those helmets that folks who jump
horses wear would be light and would look cool as you vault over fences so you don't tear your waders. Jay Edwards
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Old Baleine |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 14 08/31/2009 13:05 |
A skateboard helmet seems like it would be perfect.
http://www.amazon.com/TSG-Skate-Multi-Sport-Helmet-X-Large/dp/B000I47KTW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1251738119&sr=8-1 |
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