SFR Protect your fishing mojo. Sorry old friend, RIP.

Sorta fishing-related
I lost my favorite hat of the 2015-2019 era on the last day of my 2019 fall Bbay trip when it blew off my head as I was tearin' ass downstream in the sled to beat the sunset. Turned around an tried to recover it, but it got pulled under in a hydraulic when we were about 10' from ..I'd like to think the fish celebrated the capture of that particular lid.

The last good fish that got to see it before the river claimed it -
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So sorry for your loss. I subscribe to the idea that it is better to avoid putting all your fishing mojo in the same basket. So I use multiple hats, that tend to be quite specific depending on the target species, season, place, weather, fishing platform and too many other variables to describe here. To avoid losing them, especially the high visibility one customized by my kid years ago, I attach a string with curtain clips at both ends, one at the hat, one at my shirt/jacket. Using multiple hats, at least to me, it does not seem to affect fishing mojo, two of those hats and some friends they help me meet during 2025 below. As others have said, when the right hat for you presents itself, you will know it. Have you consider therapy to process this loss? Perhaps the last hat picture below sheds some path forward...

PS: Given the importance of this topic and direct relevance to fishing, how come it is filed as Sorta Fishing-Related?!

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Long ago I had a fast ocean going boat (47 mph). I would never turn around for hats. For me, letting a ball cap fly off your head was simply a sign that the land lubber in you was leaving your body. Often times I tighten my ball cap to where it is literally squeezing my skull. I often times wear a wool hat over my ball cap. This lets me utilize the ball cap bill while keeping my head and ears warm. That being said, I do have a drawer with some sentimental ball caps, that I cherish, for the memories that they invoke.
Always remember..... the ocean gives...and the ocean takes.
 
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I think it would be funny as shit if your hat gets posted in the strange, weird or odd beach finds thread.
SF
 
Washing your fishing hat..

I've heard of a lot of strange stuff, but nothin' like that.

Jesus Weeps....
 
www.mcguirearmynavy.com

Acrylic Jeep Cap

The M1941 “Jeep” cap or Radar cap (from M*A*S*H) is a military classic that will keep you warm and protected season after season. It is made from 100% Acrylic and is one size fits all (That is, except for uncle bob's big head). These caps are a favorite amongst veterans, outdoorsmen, and hunters.
www.mcguirearmynavy.com www.mcguirearmynavy.com

This would take care of the cold ears problem
 
I'm really sorry for the loose of yer cap.
You won't get over it, but you have to move on.
When I got my new PNW cap I caught my first fly caught steelhead, alright a new lucky fishing hat I said to myself.
As it turn out that hat was not so lucky after that.
Another short story.
I was at one of the local lakes fishing for crappy from the boat launch park when the fish and wildlife LEO showed up and started checking lic on all the people drowning power bait and as he was walking up to me he saw my Trout Unlimited cap and just ask how I was doing (fly fishing for crappy) then told me how, when, and where the best crappy fish was at that lake.
Lucky me and my TU cap cause I had left my lic at home that day, along with wallet, driver lic, etc.
 
Tallguy said:
You caught 2 boss beach coho this year and you didn't think there would be a price to pay?? Puget Sound giveth, and Puget Sound taketh. Be glad the price was lowish.
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You know, I think old blue knew his time was coming to an end and got me those fish as a final farewell and thank you. What an amazing hat.

Mossback said:
Washing your fishing hat..

I've heard of a lot of strange stuff, but nothin' like that.

Jesus Weeps....
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I know, I know….

Stonedfish said:
I think it would be funny as shit if your hat gets posted in the strange, weird or odd beach finds thread.
SF
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I may have shot myself in the foot with this thread. It could lead to a hostage negotiation situation here in the near future. Damnit…
 
I’m sorry for your loss.
I sometimes will bring a rookie hat along with the experienced hat a few times and get it some instruction from the experienced one. That way if disaster strikes or the wife forces it into retirement you’re not stuck starting from scratch. I think it also adds a little motivation to the old hat to know that there’s a young buck waiting in the wings for a chance at a starting position.
 
VMP said:
So sorry for your loss. I subscribe to the idea that it is better to avoid putting all your fishing mojo in the same basket. So I use multiple hats, that tend to be quite specific depending on the target species, season, place, weather, fishing platform and too many other variables to describe here. To avoid losing them, especially the high visibility one customized by my kid years ago, I attach a string with curtain clips at both ends, one at the hat, one at my shirt/jacket. Using multiple hats, at least to me, it does not seem to affect fishing mojo, two of those hats and some friends they help me meet during 2025 below. As others have said, when the right hat for you presents itself, you will know it. Have you consider therapy to process this loss? Perhaps the last hat picture below sheds some path forward...

PS: Given the importance of this topic and direct relevance to fishing, how come it is filed as Sorta Fishing-Related?!

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I would argue fishing is not cheaper than therapy...
 
G_Smolt said:
I lost my favorite hat of the 2015-2019 era on the last day of my 2019 fall Bbay trip when it blew off my head as I was tearin' ass downstream in the sled to beat the sunset. Turned around an tried to recover it, but it got pulled under in a hydraulic when we were about 10' from ..I'd like to think the fish celebrated the capture of that particular lid.

The last good fish that got to see it before the river claimed it -
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Great pic. Belongs in one of the FF mags.
 
jasmillo said:
I’m talking hats people. Fishing hats in particular. On Sunday, @Kfish and I took the boat out looking for some PS coho. The wind called for 8-12 MPH winds with gusts up to 20+. Ok, not ideal conditions in a 17 foot Whaler but manageable. Especially in protected passages where we could poke out to the main body of PS if conditions allowed. In the end, they did. White cappy but safe. The fishing was shitty unfortunately so we decided to head into more protected waters where we could throw some flies versus trolling them for our silver friends.

Then disaster struck….

Heading back in, my beloved fishing hat, old blue, was caught by a nasty gust and the wind of a Whaler going 20 knots and blown of my head into the deep, blue waters of PS. “Grab the net” I yelled to Lou! I screamed as if announcing “man overboard” but with more urgency. It was to late though, by the time we circled back, old blue was gone. Crab food.

Now I’m in a funk. It’s all I’ve worn fishing for years!. So many memories. Coho, chum, bass, tuna, pike, big AK rainbows, WA stockers, SRC, etc, etc, etc….

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I feel like my fishing mojo sunk to the bottom of the sound with that hat. I’ve been walking around in a daze the last 24 hours. Can’t work, can’t sleep, can’t eat, can’t stand my beloved wife who has been gleefully gliding around the house ecstatic since she heard the news. She hated that hat. She said she could smell it from my truck because everyone knows you DO NOT EVER wash a fishing hat. The mojo is IN the built up sweat, slime and grime. Everyone knows that and now my mojo is at the bottom of the sound. Has anyone ever gotten divorced over a hat? No, no your honor, not Irreconcilable differences, she was too fucking happy when I lost my fishing hat. Besides that, our marriage is fantastic but a man needs to have principles!

So I guess I am now on the hunt. What’s next fishing hat wise for me? As a native New Englander. Maybe another vintage Res Sox hat?

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As a native nutmegger, maybe I go vintage Whalers? I was never a big hockey fan even as a kid when the Whalers actually existed but the hat seems fitting for a fishing hat.

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Go traditional? Local fly shop? A lodge I’ve stayed at? A popular fly fishing brand? Everyone’s doing that. I just don’t feel like the mojo will be strong or at least unique with those options!

I guess I just have to make a decision and move on.

That said, if anyone see’s this that washed up on the shores of Kitsap county, shoot me an IM. I’m not saying I’d empty my 401k to get it back but then again, my wife has a 401k (damn, ok no divorce) and I can live with being frugal in retirement…

RIP old boy, you’ll be missed…

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Good riddance 😂
 
Starfish said:
I’m sorry for your loss.
I sometimes will bring a rookie hat along with the experienced hat a few times and get it some instruction from the experienced one. That way if disaster strikes or the wife forces it into retirement you’re not stuck starting from scratch. I think it also adds a little motivation to the old hat to know that there’s a young buck waiting in the wings for a chance at a starting position.
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You may very well be kidding, but I just did that very thing.
My fav hat was/is a Mt. Wanahakaloogi/ Finding Nemo hat that I bought at DisneyLand about 20 years ago. (Most of my hats are Disney-esque because I have a child-sized head!) It's on the verge of disintegrating, and more of a pale peach than the orange I prefer in order to not look like a mallard. So, I was browsing ebay for a new kids hat and up popped a BRAND NEW, NEVER WORN, VINTAGE Nemo hat! The same one!
The amount of joy that surged through me was honestly ridiculous; I bought it instantly. It's been in training for a few months, and I am certain it was integral in getting me my first tiger muskie
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Northern said:
You may very well be kidding, but I just did that very thing.
My fav hat was/is a Mt. Wanahakaloogi/ Finding Nemo hat that I bought at DisneyLand about 20 years ago. (Most of my hats are Disney-esque because I have a child-sized head!) It's on the verge of disintegrating, and more of a pale peach than the orange I prefer in order to not look like a mallard. So, I was browsing ebay for a new kids hat and up popped a BRAND NEW, NEVER WORN, VINTAGE Nemo hat! The same one!
The amount of joy that surged through me was honestly ridiculous; I bought it instantly. It's been in training for a few months, and I am certain it was integral in getting me my first tiger muskie
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Theres no need to question the purchase of the second hat or how integral the first was to your musky success. You know, and second guessing is for the uninformed.

For all of us that have lost the 1/1 fishing hat, I'm so happy yours was 1/2. You're gonna get all the musky now, on stupid flies that shouldnt work.
 
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