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"In my opinion the fish reportedly caught by Rex Goodlander and shown in the
last issue was nowhere in the 'three-hundred, to three-hundred-twenty' pound
range. I have good information the fish was indeed not an ounce over two-fifty
if that. This is just another example of how he constantly exaggerates for the
purpose of personal aggrandizement."
Or this. "Fall is here and for the next month or so the Blues will be running off
our shores. Cut-bait and spoons should bring good results. All anglers are urged
to check in with 'Toms Bait and Tackle' next to the marina for the latest information
on tides and weather conditions."
As you can see, that was the state of the art in past years. State of the art if you
were a sporting magazine, for some it still is, but that is another column. Often
from the time you wrote anything for one, sent it in, they received it, read it,
accepted it and printed it, it was not news, it was history. Often there would
be running feuds by some noted writers exchanged in succeeding issues of the
same magazine.
Many problems could arise, like in the first one above, the writer finds out
that his information was wrong, the fish was three-hundred-twenty. Now how
does he correct his mistake? In the second one the run is over before the magazine
goes to print! So what does one do? Use the 'modern' Letters to the Editor
method . . . The Bulletin Board (BB) on the Internet.
That is what has happened. Today's BB is yesterdays 'Letters to the Editor,' just
a lot faster. I watch ours several times each day for various reasons. The exchange
of information is incredible. Often questions are answered in less than an hour
from the time they are asked.
Space is no problem, pictures can be added and nearly any subject can be
addressed. And here is a plus, if a mistake is made, the author can go back
and make a correction. One of the first things I use to read in a magazine was
the 'Letters to the Editor,' no wonder we get so much action on our bulletin
board here on Fly Anglers OnLine.
If you have not used it yet, give it a try. Anyone can read it, and it is easy
to be a member. Just sign in, your password will automatically come back
in just minutes by direct e-mail. We have over a thousand registered on it
now and it's growing every day. We, of course, do not reveal your e-mail
address to anyone at anytime for any reason; however, if you wish you can
make it known when you post your messages on the bulletin board.
Welcome to instant Letters to the Editor.
~ James Castwell
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