On the Line

By Mike Conner, Editor-in-Chief

We've Got "App-titude!"

Fourteen months ago we had an idea. The core staff of Mean Tide Media, publisher of Fly & Light Tackle Angler magazine--me, senior editor Terry Gibson and creative director Ron Romano--casually bounced around with the idea of re-entering the sportfishing magazine fold.

The first rule was no print. No way.

Been there, done that, we were all laid off by print magazine companies at a time when frankly, the public's taste for print was souring a bit. That trend continues, and many print pubs are gone. Those that refuse to embrace change are failing fast, drawing their few last breaths.

Don't get me wrong . There will always be a place for print journalism, because there will always be readers who prefer print magazines. But speaking for all of us, we have no desire to have a place in it. Not anymore.

When we decided that digital was the only way to go, and more specifically, full-blown, interactive digital on the revolutionary iPad, the fire was lit. We were enthused again.

Enthused, but intimidated. Could we actually build an app? It looked daunting. It seemed too technical.

So today, as I gaze at our first issue, just released for sale this week in the Apple app store Newsstand, I am proud.

I am also relieved, and not that we actually turned out a damn good first magazine. I am relieved that we were able to tackle the task of learning the process, and better understand the nature of this growing technology.

And we are blessed to have the talents. support and commitment of expert angler-writers and photographers such as Bob Stearns, Kenny Wright, Steve Kantner, John McMurray, Zsolt Takaks, Drew Chicone, Pat Ford, Scott Sommerlatte, Joe Mahler and a promising list of other vets whose bylines will grace our pages soon.  

Mobile content and delivery is here to stay.

And now that this team has "app-titude" chances are good that we are, too.