Quick Quip...

When you're weather-stripping the house... For those who have used pre-packaged, pre-glued rolls of sponge or foam weather-stripping to help secure the windows and doors from winter's cold blasts, the question remains: "What to do with the trimmed-off bits?" The answer, my friends, is to secure it to the inside of your boat or the outside of your tackle box. This stuff makes amazing hook-holders!

What's New...

Well, we've finally added a search engine to the Web-zine Archives. It's not exactly what we want, but it'll do for now.

All the previous Web-zine issues have been moved, so if you've made links to any of the articles, here are the changes you'll have to make:

• Files that used to be set up as "http://www.the-fishing-network.com/magazine/v001-nXX/whatever.htm" should now be set up as: "http://www.the-fishing-network.com/magazine/v01/nXX/whatever.htm"
• Files that used to be set up as "http://www.the-fishing-network.com/magazine/v02-nXX/whatever.htm" should now be set up as: "http://www.the-fishing-network.com/magazine/v02/nXX/whatever.htm"

Apologies for any inconveniences.

We've also spent some time adding bits to the TFN Fishing Travel Directory. We hope to get many more listings up for you soon, and then turn our attention toward the tournament pages.

This Issue...

A real mish-mash this issue, from Florida Tarpon to river Walleye to BC Sturgeon to new products, I think there's something here for just about anyone. Of particular interest is that you (in general) are sending in some really interesting articles. Make sure you check out the two "Sent in by You" offerings. On another note, CDRomco has just lowered the price on the "Way Of The Walleye" CD, featuring info from In-Fisherman. We'll provide you with a complete review next issue, but suffice it to say that it's a great Deal!

Comment...

Happy Birthday, TFN!

Just as I was putting the last issue of the Web-zine to bed, I realized that October was coming up; not because muskies would be hot; not because big bass and walleye would be more active; not even because I missed the major part of the salmon run this year. No, it hit me that October meant another birthday for TFN!

Welcome to Volume 3 - the third year for The Fishing Network!

The first order of business is thanks - thanks to all the contributors to TFN, without whose content the site would be somewhat bereft of interest - thanks to those limited advertisers who have taken a chance and, I believe, received good value - a special thanks to Max Huber, whose tireless volunteer efforts are appreciated by all, but no-one more so than myself, since I have more time to do things other than look after the TFN Forums (which recently celebrated their 5,000th message since last December!) - but mostly, thanks to you, the 30,000+ readers who visit TFN each month and have given me the reason to keep this thing going while the slow wheels of advertising are greased. To one and all, thanks.

Instead boring you all with personal musings on emotions and thoughts (you're welcome), I thought I'd go back over a few of our accomplishments and failings, and ask you for your opinion on a couple of things.

Steps Forward:

1. Broadening the scope of Web-zine content;
2. Maturity of the TFN Forums; and,
3. Introduction of the TFN Fishing Travel Directory, User Trophy Album, Trophy Bass 2 SIG at Sierra, Fishing Clipart, and this month, Web-zine Archive Search.

Things that need more work:

1. User participation in contests and the On-line Derby - we've now changed the Derby finnish date to 1988, but will acknowledge 1997 participants in some way. It is surprising to us that with over 30,000 of you, less than 1/10th of 1% participate in these programs. Hey, they're free and you can win stuff!
2. Better Maintenance of the Clubs and Tournaments Sections - although casualties of time, priorities and a lack of resources, we'll try to improve in these areas. Of course, with more advertisers, we'd be able to hire on some help; and,
3. Development of more commercial programs geared to bring in more advertising dollars.

Plans for this year: (without tipping our hand too much)

1. Strategic Alliances with producers of more of the information you've requested;
2. Increasing the geographic scope of Web-zine contents;
3. Introduction of three specific programs we're working on to give you more local information on an ongoing basis; and,
4. More interactivity to give you more options and provide more information in an entertaining fashion.

Thanks and until next issue...
(tight lines, get it wet, good fishin', see you on the water, etc., etc.).

Scott M. Binnie, Managing Editor