the fisherman mag drops the ball

[striprman]

After 25 years of getting the New England Fisherman, I let my subscription expire. I really feel the quality of the articles and the information just wasn't the same after Coleman left.

[Van]

Originally Posted by striprman

After 25 years of getting the New England Fisherman, I let my subscription expire. I really feel the quality of the articles and the information just wasn't the same after Coleman left.

EXACTLY, it also seems to have become cover to cover advertising.

I stopped getting it years ago....

[flatts1]

In the past I only read The Fisherman at the barber shop or at MSBA meetings at the "magazine table" that George P. has self-maintained for a while now.

Recently though, I started buying it at the news stand and I find it quite informative. A couple examples that I found useful were...

- The article on cheaply but effectively covering my boat using 4'' PVC as the frame along with a tarp and sections of rope to serve as "ribbing".

- The article on Monomoy that described why it is a good place to go when the temp kicks up everywhere else.

Again, I don't have much of a historical reference to compare it with but I do find it useful and one of these days I'm going to finally write the check for a subscription rather than pay the newsstand prices.

With regard to Ads, they all do it. Turn to nearly any given page of OTW and you will find that 2/3 of it is Ads too - just on bigger paper


Mike

[Joe]

The editor, Zach, he's got next to no help....Putting out a weekly on your own is not easy.....They're still paying only a $100 for a feature....
All that ad revenue too

[fishsmith]

I've been getting the Fisherman and On the water for 10 years now, and I saved the old ones ( I just read a Joe Lyons article on "Road Kill flies" ), I'm not renewing either this year, both are all ad's and rehashed articles.
I've come to learn that fishing catches fish, reading about others fishing doesn't.

Screwing up Kingston, RI for Kingston, MA on the cover is huge! I hope they give you free advertisement for the show next year, or give a full page to MSBA, in upcoming issues.

[5/0]

I think that people are learning more & more about fishing different locations,technique's,habits and most of all meeting other people who have the same Crazy addiction from forums like this one vs a cover to cover advertising mag.

Hi my name is Bob & I have a fishing problem

[Joe]

"Tying The Roady Roadkill"
I liked that one....but they got a few letters from people who thought it was serious

[Neal]

Guys, Neal Larsson from OTW checking in. I just wanted to address a couple misconceptions going on with regards to On The Water... first is that the magazine is all "advertising". I really would like you guys to check out an issue of the magazine and take a hard look... Let me explain...

You will find more feature articles (usually 10-14) and columns (10 going to over 20 from April to October with the Insiders) in OTW than any other National or Regional fishing magazine and the beauty of it is that we are all fishing for the same species some just about every article can be applied to wherever you live in the region. That's not the case with "rooster fish", "bonefish", and "arctic grayling" that the national magazines write up while throwing you a striper bone once in a while. Most national pubs give you 5 or 6 real features and 5 or 6 columns and they stack their advertising to give you the illusion there's some meat there. We chose not to try and fool our readers with a "continued on pg. 98" format and let you read the articles from beginning to end. Unfortunately some of you are left with the impression that it's all advertising.

As for the advertising... The reality is that it pays the bills, but neither Chris Megan as Publisher, Gene Bourque the Editor nor myself as GM will be buying a waterfront home or 45' Cabo anytime soon. We publish this magazine because, like all of you on this message board we have a passion for fishing and enjoy sharing that with our readers. We consider the magazine's true owners the readers of the publication. The direction of the magazine is formulated by feedback we receive from our readers at Sportsman shows, emails; message boards like yours as well as out on the beach or on the docks.

As for the Fisherman, there's room for the 2 formats, of course I like our quality and format better, you guys ultimately can be the judge on that... But mistakes happen and we're all human. Zach, I Can say is a great guy that works hard and my hat's off to him for putting that magazine out 50 weeks a year with little support from the home office in NY.

As for OTW, keep in mind if we don’t know there’s a problem we can’t fix it, any direct input to us here at the magazine, again, is appreciated and always welcome. Step to the plate and drop us an email or give us a call if you have any issues. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Neal Larsson
800/614-3000
neal@onthewater.com