I love a wide brimmed hat for sun protection and to help keep the light off the back of my sunglasses. That helps my ability to see the critters I am chasing in the water. The Columbia Bonehead Straw hat is my go to fishing hat. I love them so much I bought 3 spares when I found them on sale! It is cool in the hot sun and tough enough to withstand rain or being dipped in the river on a hot day. I would rather forget my fishing rod than forget this hat !