My wife forgot our wedding anniversary. Not. Even. Kidding. I took her a bouquet of flowers during my lunch break, and she looked at me like I was wearing a bikini. I immediately realized two things. First, I should probably buy her flowers more often. Secondly, she had no idea our seven-year mark had arrived. Milestones have a way of sneaking up on you when the bustle of life keeps you sprinting through weeks until all 12 months of a year have been exhausted.
Well, the editorial staff of this magazine came close to making a similar mistake.
A few months ago, we were organizing magazine covers for digital use. After seeing how massive the collection looked as a whole, I wondered out loud how many issues we had published. The count came to 495. That’s a lot. A whole lot. We knew that we had to celebrate the 500 mark, as only a fraction of magazines of any genre can boast of such a lifespan. So, we went to work to compile content that celebrates not only the indelible impression this publication has made on the fishing industry, but to celebrate the B.A.S.S. members who have supported the magazine for the past half century.
Bob Cobb was the first editor of Bassmaster. His tenure ran from 1970 to 1985. Cobb poured the foundation on which this magazine still sits. In his feature “From A Pickle Box” (page 18), you will hear firsthand how this publication was born and nurtured in a time when outdoor prose had a very different posture. Cobb redefined not only the style of writing anglers would eventually gravitate toward, but the substance demanded within.
Don Wirth was one of the first writers Cobb brought on board. He started contributing in 1970 and continues submitting features to this day. In his “The Bassmaster Legacy” piece (page 27), Wirth sheds light on what it has been like to cover our sport since its inception. Reporting and writing was a different animal in the ’70s (as were hairstyles, as you will see), and Wirth’s memories highlight these bygone days.
Dave Precht took the helm of the magazine in 1985. As Bassmaster’s second editor, Precht steered the magazine through the heyday of tournament fishing. The incredible growth of B.A.S.S. membership during this time was rivaled only by the professionalism and integrity Precht instilled within the content of the publication. Under his leadership, Bassmaster truly became the worldwide authority on bass fishing. “From The Desk of Dave Precht” (page 32) highlights the earthquake moments he covered during his 18 years holding the reins.
Precht handed me the tiller in 2003. Actually, it was September of 2003. So, this issue doesn’t just mark the 500th installment of Bassmaster, but also my 20-year anniversary as its editor. Unlike Cobb who created the framework, or Precht who expanded the footprint, I have simply tried to maintain the standard of excellence demanded by my predecessors. In that vein, they both believe the lifeblood of Bassmaster is the loyal membership that pulls the magazine from the mailbox each month and reads, with a thoughtful eye, cover to cover. So, in our “First Cast” and “Parting Shot” photo spreads, we celebrate members, without whom we would not have a magazine to publish. You will also notice, starting on page 12, we have included the 500 covers printed since the first issue was published in the spring of 1968. That seemed fitting since those covers were the reminder we needed (no flowers necessary) to celebrate this epic milestone.