Despite the misconception that I have an easy job and spend all my days fishing, there is a lot more that goes into putting out a weekly magazine than I had ever imagined when I took the helm of the New England edition of The Fisherman just over five years ago. The weekly editor’s log is often something I struggle with, but other times it seems to write itself. In some ways this is one of those instances, but in others it is not.
There is a certain expectation each week when that new issue of The Fisherman hits your mailbox or you find it on the newsstand; at least it was that way for me when I was a subscriber for many years. Knowing the new issue had arrived I would quickly run in my house, admire the cover for a moment and then flip right to the table of contents. I began by scanning both the article titles as well as the bylines to see what kind of reading I’d have on my plate for the next few days. More often than not I’d earmark the first pages to hit when I found a free couple of minutes, and then I would jump to the reports section to see what was going on in my local waters or to see what I might have missed by zigging when I should have zagged the week before. This was a weekly ritual that I am sure I share with a great many other like-minded individuals throughout the northeast and beyond.
When it finally came time to sit down and dive into the meat of that week’s issue, I would begin with the articles that I found most interesting—duh! Now just because I am a surfcaster at heart didn’t always mean the surf fishing features were the first ones I read. If an interesting technique for tuna fishing or something different about targeting carp was included that week, which caught my eye, it was just as likely to get the first read-through. I guess even more than enjoying surf fishing, in truth I am just a fishing junky. And so I assume the same of you, the readers of The Fisherman, as I plan out each week’s editorial content. But you see the problem here is that for the most part I am assuming I know what you want to read, and you know what they say when you assume, right? Well; in case you don’t, it makes an “ass” out of “u” and “me,” or at least that’s what my teachers used to tell me in school. Maybe that’s why I have such a sarcastic sense of humor to this day.
So where does this all lead us? Well, we’re working on a reader survey but it’s not quite ready just yet. So for now I am just going to throw it out there to you and ask, “What subjects or topics would you like to see covered more or less going forward?” Do you want more coverage of fly fishing and less plug building? Do you want to see more basic introductory-type articles or would you prefer super-technical gear articles? Should we cover more offshore and less travel? More boating and less surf? This magazine and all the work that we put into it is, ultimately, for you. While we strive to put out the best possible content week after week, unless we hear from you there is no way to know for sure if we hit the mark or if we’re playing baseball while you’re out snowboarding. I want to know just as much if not more when I miss the mark, so don’t just think I want you to shower me with praise. Honestly, it’s the criticism that will help more in the end.
So until the official reader survey hits you, feel free to shoot me an email at tlapinski@thefisherman.com or catch up with me at one of the remaining fishing shows and let me know where you’d like to see the editorial content swing going forward.
