I still remember a kind and patient John Kerr, in the old offices of Ontario Out of Doors at the corner of College and Bay in Toronto, trying to explain to me what it would take to get an article about steelhead published in his magazine. As I look back on it now, my arrogance was quite spectacular and I dare hope that he was at least amused - if not bemused - by it. I also hope that my passion for steelhead fishing, then as now, helped smooth over that little failing of mine...
That was 1995.
Twenty years later, almost to the day, I can prove that I understood, finally. If you happen to subscribe to the mag, or see a copy at your local news stand, turn to page 42 of the Nov/Dec issue. You'll find my first Ontario Out of Doors article, sitting there quite humbly amongst many other fantastic contributions.
It's a little dream come true, for me as I've always wanted to contribute something to OOD. I owe a debt of gratitude to the centrepin crafters who gave me their time, to Ray Blades (Managing Editor @ OOD) and to Mike Borger (friend & publisher of Canada Fishing Guide) without whom I would still be waiting for this cherry on the cake.
Regardless, it was one of the purposes of my little fishing blog to help me get something published someday. I always knew it would be good practice, and how else do you show what you can do if not by actually doing it? So I've always striven to provide some form of quality in my posts and in my pictures that would, someday hopefully, attract the attention of serious publishers.
It doesn't end there. The beauty of it is that the old saying is true: "it never rains but it pours."
Not only have I finally published an article in Ontario Out of Doors, but I've also contributed to "Steelhead and Salmon Journal", which is a western US magazine published out of Oregon. My discussions with Pat Hoglund, Chief Editor of the magazine (as well as "Steelheader's Journal" and "Traveling Angler"), began over an old picture of jumping steelhead that I'd posted on a forum & quickly progressed to writing. So, I'm doubly blessed this month with articles in the Nov/Dec issue of not one, but two magazines.
Finally, there are two valid ways to see this: Santa came early (since this all happens in December) and whatever your bliss: persistence pays off. No matter how long it takes, don't despair and never quit. Sooner or later, at the very least, you'll look back and be pleased with your accomplishments.
Thanks for reading!
p.-
