Hello Everyone,
It is Russ Bassdozer here. I was handed the reins to be the next editor of BassWestUSA from Dan O'Sullivan about 7 months ago (December 2010).
First and foremost, I must thank Dan so much for taking me under his wing and teaching me the ropes on my new job as editor. Without Dan, I would have been completely lost.
For many hours of long phone calls, whether Dan was at home, in the airport between flights or at a tackle manufacturer's headquarters doing a photo shoot, Dan O coached, instructed and advised me on every aspect and facet of my new job from A to Z.
Like every past editors of BassWestUSA, Dan O left his mark on BWU, he made it better and Dan O was passionate about growing BWU and making it the best possible read for our subscribers while he was editor, and I'm sure he still feels the same way about BWU and why he has been so kind to help me so much during the transition to myself as new editor.
Still even today, I get helpful calls from Dan with suggestions and advice. He may point out a couple of things in the most recent issue that he especially liked or that could be done a little better perhaps, and he gives me great advice on what photographic equipment to be using, how to set up the camera functions and scenes for some killer shots.
Every past editor has grown BWU and left their mark on it, including Dan O, Tony Stolts, Tom Leogrande, Jon Storm and others. So I am trying my best to fill the editorial shoes handed down to me!
I don't rightly recall when I first started subscribing to BWU, but it seems like it's always been a little late. I can't say I ever tracked it, and even as the new editor, I am not involved with the delivery aspect of the publication.
The first issue I produced was Jan/Feb 2011, and I know the first delivery of that issue was out before the Bassmaster Classic in mid-February. I believe staggered mailings of that jan/feb issue were sent out throughout February, if I am not mistaken. I don't know if everyone got their Jan/Feb in February, but I do know many subscribers did because I got some emails and calls congratulating me on my first BWU issue, and that was mid to late February timeframe. I was especially proud of that issue and I will be forever grateful to Dan O for coaching and guiding me through it. I chose to put a close acquaintance of mine, Patrick Sebile on the cover kind of as a keepsake for him and for myself to commemorate my first issue.
Technically, it's true that jan/feb was my first issue as editor, yet I really feet the March/April was my first true issue since many stories that appeared in jan/feb were already pre-assigned when I was given the reins.
The March/Aril issue, if I am not mistaken, started mailing in mid-May. I really had a lot more choice in the stories and writers assigned to this issue, and I was so lucky to be able to convince some great new writers, ranging from stellar rookies like Tyler Brinks to industry giants like Don Wirth, Chris Armstrong and Ned Kehde to become new contributors. I brought Mike DelVisco on board, Randy Pringle, Doug Vahrenberg with new features and columns. If you have the March/April issue, look at my editorial in the front and I detail all the new writers, new columns and new feature series there. I also wrote some features I really enjoyed (on Derek Remitz and on Mike Bucca's Bull Shad swimbaits).
I do believe March/April was the best issue ever in BWU's long history (but I am obviously biased). Let me know what you think?
May/June has gone to the printer and it should be delivered soon is my understanding. You guys haven't seen it yet, but I feel that May/June is even better than march/Aril in terms of compelling content, pizzazz and appeal to bass anglers.
So I am trying to continue the legacy left to me by Dan O and by the past editors who each improved BassWestUSA for our subscribers. I will strive to do the same for you during my tenure as editor.
I'd say not to leave us now. BWU is better than ever, and I feel it's better than any other magazine today. I hope that what you see in the next several issues will make you feel the same about BWU too.
Bass-t Regards,
Russ "Bassdozer" Comeau
Managing Editor In Chief, BassWestUSA magazine
Russ@Bassdozer.com
928-614-9186
Have Wi-Fi, will travel!