I don't know about the idea that the report section on the web site is that accurate. Afterall we are getting news that has already happened. Anyone who knows anything about fishing the beach in particular knows that it very rare to go to the same place two or three nights after the said event took place and catch fish ( you might catch a lonely one or two but not blitzin' like the rep says it was). As for the insiders features, of which I write the monthly, inseason, Outer Cape one, that columm has to be into Gene's computer six weeks before publication and that date is usually the 20th or so of the preceeding month. The only way someone can "predict" ( and I use that term loosely) is to have been on the scene for years and have a general idea of "what" should happen not what will. (occasionally you get lucky) You need a pattern of the history of the area and average the factors in and out comes your look ahead.
The price change was inevitable. OTW has a larger subscription base in New England than SWS. OTW has gone to full color, sposors a television show ( I wonder why I haven't been asked to be on, hmmm....?) A weekend radio report on WMVY 92.7 FM and donates and sponsors many, many different tourneys and events like the Cape Cod Canal Derby and Kids day at Green Pond etc, etc, etc. Plus, this is a business. One goes into a business to make money and hopefully prosper from that endeavour ( unless you make wooden fishing plugs than it just comes down to stubborness and love). OTW has bigger plans I am sure, hopefully they won't forget their roots as did SWS. Itr's tough when boat builders offer you a fully rigged boat, motor and trailer or trips to here and there not to mention all the free gear from manufacturers. Life is good but costs of operation for a magazine the likes of which OTW has become is high and getting higher all the time. I don't see any problem with the increase.
ps Bigfish, I doin't get anymore for my columm than anyone else and as a matter of fact we all get what we have always gotten since the very first issue.
