Well, you could wear a hat with a nice brim. That would give you some measure of protection. I often see pictures of fly fishermen dressed better than I do when I go to church (much to my wife's dismay).
Ha Ha.....Or, wear a welding helmet for the first few times!
I've been fly fishing maybe 50 or 75 times. Never hooked myself yet. It IS a long rod. Of course, I've tangled the line around everything in sight more than a few times, too.
rich