Fishing and Hunting News

Jennie@ifish · 05-04-2001, 05:44 AM

Fired all of it's long time writers with nothing but a check and a pink slip.
25 years, some of them have been writing the local columns.
PHHT! Gone, with no trace, no apology, no written personal notice!
I am very disgusted by this!!!!
They are totally changing their format from 13 editions a year to 9. Separating areas from local editions, to East coast, West coast, etc.
I am very saddened by the head office's lack of personal contact for those that tried to make the magazine better, for those that worked for them for years... That they didn't have it in them to personally notify them.
I am MAD!
Jen [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

[ 05-04-2001: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

TheRogue · 05-04-2001, 06:30 AM

It would be great if there was the ambition (and the money) for those canned people to start up another local based, weekly magazine just like it used to be in the old days!! That's when everyone read it for the NEWS rather than to get phone numbers and look at pictures.

I suspect, with sites like this one in the fishing world, and sites like Huntamerica.com, Huntinfo.com, and Huntchat.com in the hunting world, it's getting tougher in the outdoors magazine segment. Fishing and Hunting (old) News may be on the way out.

T.R.

DK · 05-04-2001, 07:32 AM

doesn't sound like a very profssional way to handle things, but that's ok jen, i'll bet a new magazine becomes of it, remember employers are the # 1 breeder of competition and hope something does become of it

Firedog · 05-04-2001, 07:36 AM

If this is the way they are going to do things I think I will cancel my subscription.

Jennie@ifish · 05-04-2001, 07:43 AM

I guess the next issue will remain the same.
I am prob going to cancel after that too.
[img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Wet_Willy · 05-04-2001, 08:20 AM

I don't have a use for a regional magazine. Not even for the phone numbers and pics. Now that I've heard this, I'll be letting that membership go and will only be getting STS from now on. I will be looking for that new magazine to be coming out with local info, reports, etc. I don't care if it comes out in newsprint that rubs off on my fingers. I like local info. Hey Jen, care to get into the magazine biz??? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

CAGEY · 05-04-2001, 10:17 AM

I had already cancelled my subscription befor i read this. I tried there mag on and off for several years and fianlly said enough was enough, outdated info and poor public relations did me in. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

FishinMission · 05-04-2001, 03:11 PM

Seems typical of the way businesses nowadays operate. They call it "CHANGE". You get somebody that schmoozes their way to the top..and decides they know the business (when they really DON'T). Then they get rid of the ones who really know the biz....and when they FOLD...they sit around and wonder ....WHAT HAPPENED??? My employer is this way... Anybody else work for someone like this?

boater · 05-04-2001, 03:28 PM

i am, 20 years ago we had over 200 people in our fabrication shop, now we are down to "15", everything has been farmed and the only reason we are there is for emergency orders for parts.

Jennie@ifish · 05-04-2001, 03:45 PM

Hmmmmm dang that sounds familiar, fm!

The creator of something starts it, most often because it is a passion for them. As new people get involved, sometimes the focus changes.
Most often, it just doesn't work.

We'll see.

chromer · 05-04-2001, 05:13 PM

Jen's got it pretty much right.

F&H News is changing its format beginning with the June 7th issue. The May 17th issue will still feature the local columnists and pretty much all local info. What the new format will contain, from what I understand is still not completely known. The quote from Editor-in-Chief John Snow "...a redesign of the magazine (that) will radically alter the look and feel..."

It's also true that our notice came in the form of a memo attached to our checks. A big surprise to us, but the worst part was the tight spot it put Pat Hoglund in. He wasn't aware that we (local columnists) were recieving the memo. I know I was more than just a little chapped.

Fortunately, I don't rely on income from F&H News to make my mortgage payment!

I'm not sure Phil Simonski has been with the magazine for 25 years, but I believe he is an original columnist and has been with F&H News pre-Pat Hoglund. Let's just say he's been a columnist for awhile and a huge part of F&H New's success in Oregon.

For those that love to hate Pat, I am convinced that he had nothing to do with this decision and didn't have much opportunity to notify us personally before the change. Obviously, the big wigs in Seattle have little concern for those of us at the bottom of the food chain. But that's big business...right?

That all said, I've enjoyed my 4 1/2 years with F&H News. In my opinion, Pat is a great guy and works hard to provide good accurate and timely info. He will continue as the Oregon editor, which to me is good news. And aside from this last episode, my limited dealings with the guys in Seattle has always been positive.

There has been some talk of a new publication filling the void or another changing its format to include a local flavor. Time will tell.

I would encourage all subscribers to at least look at the new format before making a decision regarding their subscription. These guys are pro's and who knows maybe the remodel will be an improvement. Personally, I think FishinMission hit the nail dead on.

Tight lines,

Dave Schamp
ex-North Coast Columnist

Salmonator · 05-04-2001, 08:03 PM

I just got my renewal notice. It went straight to the trash. I can't wait for the poor guy who phones me and asks why I haven't renewed and wants to cut me a killer deal...

05-04-2001, 11:08 PM

To keep the cup '1/2 full', I have enjoyed the magazine the past two years for three reasons: I live in E. Oregon, I travel to the North coast frequently, and I'm from S. Oregon where most of my family still resides. With that in mind, I've enjoyed the magazine to educate myself on new bodies of water, various techniques, and although sometimes dated, fishing (catching) reports are a plus for these three distinct geographic areas I 'play in'. It's very unfortunate that the writers who I've come to enjoy were abruptly let go without notice - I hope that's not true.

smilesforu · 05-04-2001, 11:27 PM

Personally I hate to see anybody lose their jobs. Sometimes change is for the better and we don't realize it for some time. I would offer the writers jobs if I had a actual income coming from my site. I am sure Jen would do the same. With the internet as competition the F&H format really becomes dated. It won't be long when we can get live reports from the water....Its coming or is it already here (cell phones). Best of luck to the writers on finding new outlets for their talent.
Tight Lines

dummy · 05-05-2001, 06:33 AM

fishin mission i know what you are talking about. the cabinet shop i am working at just hired someone like that. he says he is going to get this place running like a ford factory. ya right it is custom cabinets buddy. anyways this is the third shop i have lost my job do to change and bankrupcy. any ways best of luck to those corparate a holes selling a mag wwith nothing but adds and tackle shops writing their articles.

GoFish · 05-05-2001, 08:45 AM

You can almost bet that this publication is not going to be any better for the change. They have always labored with the time lag of a publication being behind the curve. The local writers have tried their best to keep the info timely but I bet the content will be pretty generic from now on. I let my subscription lapse about six months ago because the coverage seemed like it was getting thinner and thinner. And besides, I found the Ifish discussion page a better resource!!!!

HarpMan · 05-05-2001, 10:34 AM

My hat is off to Mr. Dave Schamp for his 4 1/2 year of F&H North Coast Columns. I know first hand he has tried to always bring the best and most informative info foward regarding the North Coast and features. I also know how difficult it is to not seem like your saying the same thing week after week, and Dave has not made this mistake. The small amount of pay does not reward the effort and time he has devoted to writing, but is more out his care and joy for the industry and the fish. Give the Seattle office a call and let them know they have made a mistake... Thanks Dave, put a fork in it your run is over.

RW · 05-06-2001, 10:48 PM

Well, I have defended Fishing and Hunting News for the last time!!!~!!! Dave has always been a class act and he will continue to be even to defend the mag that has fired him, I won't.

It is their loss of columnist Dave Schamp. He has more fishing information in his little finger than any other fisherman I personally know of. He has spent over a hundred hours with me in person teaching me how to fish, that doesn't even include the information that I received in his column which has also been wonderful. Why did he do that, yes we are friends, but more importantly he wants to pass on his love of fishing to as many people as possible. That is why he wrote for that mag with little or no financial reward and a whole lot of headaches.

I am very disappointed in Fishing and Hunting News along with Pat Hoglund, the employees deserved better than they received. If Pat wasn't involved in many of these major decisions and timing, it sounds like he has some issues that he needs to address with his employer!!!!!

[img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] RW [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

Jennie@ifish · 05-07-2001, 06:18 AM

Hats off to Dave, in every respect.
Jen

HarpMan · 05-07-2001, 07:57 PM

RW, wow 100 hours are you a slow learner! Did Dave ever explain why fish jump or which way they are going on the finder. I never new until he told me. All truth aside, he's one of the best and has showed me a thing or two as well. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

Joe Schwab · 05-08-2001, 08:14 AM

Fishing and Hunting News is the loser in this one. Dave is a class act and will go on to bigger and better. Good luck F & H, you will need it. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

HarpMan · 05-08-2001, 07:37 PM

RW, girls learn faster than boys, did not mean to hurt you feelings...

RW · 05-08-2001, 11:34 PM

Gee Plunker, I am just a girl! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I though it would take 200 hours to teach me!!! I know why fish jump, I don't know which way they go on the finder though. Chromer, how about an explaination? RW

SailCat · 05-09-2001, 07:05 AM

A "local based, weekly fishing magazine" as The Rogue suggested would be a great resource.

~Michael T.
The Guide's Forecast

BUGLEMAN · 05-09-2001, 05:42 PM

Well my instinct, better yet logic, says the pessimists in this thread are correct. How can firing Dave or any other editor be an improvement. I was just about ready to cancel, almost every issue in the last 6 mo. has been late or non-existing. Too bad I renewed for 2 years. I will wait for the new mag. and see. It really is starting to repeat after a couple of years as the runs repeat any way. Now I have have a good feeling that I won't be renewing for sure. I will miss your reports Dave.