American Angler
Encyclopedia
American Angler is a magazine dedicated to the subject of fly fishing
, with an emphasis on cold water fisheries, published six times a year. It bills itself as a "how to, where to" magazine focusing on technical fly-fishing informational articles and explorations of new fishing locations. It is an asset of Morris Communications, which also owns publications such as Gray's Sporting Journal
, Fly Tyer
, and the soon-to-be-defunct Saltwater Fly Fishing
. Collectively, these magazines are referred to as the "Morris Group." American Angler is currently the third-largest fly-fishing magazine in terms of circulation, with approximately 40,000 subscribers, following Fly Fisherman and Fly Rod and Reel. It is the only magazine among those to use "perfect binding" instead of stapled pages.
Phil Monahan is the former editor of American Angler magazine, as well as a feature-articles author and the past editorial director of the Morris Group of fly-fishing magazines.
Ed Engle, author of Splitting Cane, is a frequent contributor.
William "Bill" Tapply, author of the Brady Coyne mystery novels, writes the final column in each issue.
Dave Klausmeyer, editor of Fly Tyer, contributes the Tyer's Notes column in each issue.
"The Rant" is a reader-contributed column intended to give readers the chance to get something related to fly fishing off their chest. Past subjects have included pegged beads (a controversial form of salmon fishing), as well as conservation issues.
"Natural Reflections," an insect photography column written by Ted Fauceglia, features a different photo of a fly fishing related insect each issue.
"Headwaters" (formerly "FYI") is a news and information column.
"Expeditions" is a regular feature-article section highlighting longer trips, often to exotic locales.
"Casting" features Macauley Lord discussing techniques and improvements to the art of fly casting, written for a beginning to intermediate audience.
"Quick Fly" describes the method of tying a different fly with each issue, and is usually published in collaboration with sister-publication Fly Tyer
, edited by author Dave Klausmeyer.
"Gear I Love" is another reader-penned article highlighting a favorite piece of flyfishing gear.
, an in-house publication of the Dick Surette Fly Fishing Shop in North Conway, New Hampshire. The first issue was published in 1978. During the 1980s, following declining interest in fly fishing
, Fly Tyer
was sold and underwent several name changes. It became American Fly Tyer, then American Angler & Fly Tyer, and finally American Angler. In 1990, under more successful business management, the magazine increased to a bimonthly (six issues a year) printing schedule.
"Why American Angler? [Then-owner] Dick Stewart explained that he wanted a name that would stand out from the other fly-fishing periodicals. More important, the surveys he conducted told him that the magazine’s readers wanted practical information that they could use on their home waters. Stewart chose a title that reflected a commitment to the average American fly fisher."
In 1992, American Angler changed hands and became the flagship publication of Abenaki Publishers, which moved the magazine to Bennington, Vermont. The year 1992 also saw the debut of Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It
, with a corresponding boom in national attention paid to fly fishing. In 1995, then-editor Art Scheck re-launched Fly Tyer
and moved with it, while Dave Klausmeyer (current editor of Fly Tyer
) joined as an associate editor.
By 1999, Phil Monahan had taken over as editor of American Angler and the magazine changed hands once again, to become a part of the Morris Group.
"In a memorial piece written for Fly Tyer
, Dick Stewart described Dick Surette, the founding publisher, as 'democratic to a fault, publishing articles submitted by professional and amateur alike.' That approach set the tone. While American Angler has published the work of the sport’s best-known writers, it has always been open to new voices and new ideas."
Additionally, Saltwater Fly Fishing editor Steve Walburn announced the purchase of www.saltwaterflyfishing.com, where back issue content will be hosted.
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
, with an emphasis on cold water fisheries, published six times a year. It bills itself as a "how to, where to" magazine focusing on technical fly-fishing informational articles and explorations of new fishing locations. It is an asset of Morris Communications, which also owns publications such as Gray's Sporting Journal
Gray's Sporting Journal
Gray's Sporting Journal is a magazine dedicated to the pursuit of outdoor recreation, with an emphasis on hunting and fishing. It is a consciously literary publication, using a "blind reader" to select articles, poems, and stories for publication...
, Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer is an American magazine dedicated to the subject of fly tying, the art of tying materials to a hook for the purposes of fly fishing. Published four times a year, Fly Tyer is currently the largest fly-tying magazine in terms of circulation...
, and the soon-to-be-defunct Saltwater Fly Fishing
Saltwater fly fishing
Saltwater fly fishing is the practice of fly fishing in saltwater, especially in coastal areas.- Sources :* Herd, Andrew. A Fly Fishing History. http://www.flyfishinghistory.com/salt_water_fly_fishing.htm...
. Collectively, these magazines are referred to as the "Morris Group." American Angler is currently the third-largest fly-fishing magazine in terms of circulation, with approximately 40,000 subscribers, following Fly Fisherman and Fly Rod and Reel. It is the only magazine among those to use "perfect binding" instead of stapled pages.
Notable Authors
Macauley Lord, author of the L.L. Bean Fly-Casting Handbook, is the regular casting columnist.Phil Monahan is the former editor of American Angler magazine, as well as a feature-articles author and the past editorial director of the Morris Group of fly-fishing magazines.
Ed Engle, author of Splitting Cane, is a frequent contributor.
William "Bill" Tapply, author of the Brady Coyne mystery novels, writes the final column in each issue.
Dave Klausmeyer, editor of Fly Tyer, contributes the Tyer's Notes column in each issue.
Regular Features
American Angler has a number of regular columns."The Rant" is a reader-contributed column intended to give readers the chance to get something related to fly fishing off their chest. Past subjects have included pegged beads (a controversial form of salmon fishing), as well as conservation issues.
"Natural Reflections," an insect photography column written by Ted Fauceglia, features a different photo of a fly fishing related insect each issue.
"Headwaters" (formerly "FYI") is a news and information column.
"Expeditions" is a regular feature-article section highlighting longer trips, often to exotic locales.
"Casting" features Macauley Lord discussing techniques and improvements to the art of fly casting, written for a beginning to intermediate audience.
"Quick Fly" describes the method of tying a different fly with each issue, and is usually published in collaboration with sister-publication Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer is an American magazine dedicated to the subject of fly tying, the art of tying materials to a hook for the purposes of fly fishing. Published four times a year, Fly Tyer is currently the largest fly-tying magazine in terms of circulation...
, edited by author Dave Klausmeyer.
"Gear I Love" is another reader-penned article highlighting a favorite piece of flyfishing gear.
History
American Angler began as Fly TyerFly Tyer
Fly Tyer is an American magazine dedicated to the subject of fly tying, the art of tying materials to a hook for the purposes of fly fishing. Published four times a year, Fly Tyer is currently the largest fly-tying magazine in terms of circulation...
, an in-house publication of the Dick Surette Fly Fishing Shop in North Conway, New Hampshire. The first issue was published in 1978. During the 1980s, following declining interest in fly fishing
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
, Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer is an American magazine dedicated to the subject of fly tying, the art of tying materials to a hook for the purposes of fly fishing. Published four times a year, Fly Tyer is currently the largest fly-tying magazine in terms of circulation...
was sold and underwent several name changes. It became American Fly Tyer, then American Angler & Fly Tyer, and finally American Angler. In 1990, under more successful business management, the magazine increased to a bimonthly (six issues a year) printing schedule.
"Why American Angler? [Then-owner] Dick Stewart explained that he wanted a name that would stand out from the other fly-fishing periodicals. More important, the surveys he conducted told him that the magazine’s readers wanted practical information that they could use on their home waters. Stewart chose a title that reflected a commitment to the average American fly fisher."
In 1992, American Angler changed hands and became the flagship publication of Abenaki Publishers, which moved the magazine to Bennington, Vermont. The year 1992 also saw the debut of Robert Redford's A River Runs Through It
A River Runs Through It (film)
A River Runs Through It is an Academy Award winning 1992 American film directed by Robert Redford and starring Brad Pitt, Craig Sheffer, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn, and Emily Lloyd...
, with a corresponding boom in national attention paid to fly fishing. In 1995, then-editor Art Scheck re-launched Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer is an American magazine dedicated to the subject of fly tying, the art of tying materials to a hook for the purposes of fly fishing. Published four times a year, Fly Tyer is currently the largest fly-tying magazine in terms of circulation...
and moved with it, while Dave Klausmeyer (current editor of Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer is an American magazine dedicated to the subject of fly tying, the art of tying materials to a hook for the purposes of fly fishing. Published four times a year, Fly Tyer is currently the largest fly-tying magazine in terms of circulation...
) joined as an associate editor.
By 1999, Phil Monahan had taken over as editor of American Angler and the magazine changed hands once again, to become a part of the Morris Group.
"In a memorial piece written for Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer
Fly Tyer is an American magazine dedicated to the subject of fly tying, the art of tying materials to a hook for the purposes of fly fishing. Published four times a year, Fly Tyer is currently the largest fly-tying magazine in terms of circulation...
, Dick Stewart described Dick Surette, the founding publisher, as 'democratic to a fault, publishing articles submitted by professional and amateur alike.' That approach set the tone. While American Angler has published the work of the sport’s best-known writers, it has always been open to new voices and new ideas."
News
According to their publishers, American Angler and Saltwater Fly Fishing will be joining into one magazine as of December 2007. American Angler is expected to have an increased page count, while subscribers of Saltwater Fly Fishing will have their subscriptions transferred to the new joint publication, which will continue to be titled American Angler, but will have a standalone saltwater section.Additionally, Saltwater Fly Fishing editor Steve Walburn announced the purchase of www.saltwaterflyfishing.com, where back issue content will be hosted.
Reader Contributions
American Angler is one of the few major fly fishing publications that regularly accepts and publishes reader contributions, in the "Gear I Love" and "The Rant" columns.Official website
- American Angler Magazine Online, featuring a discussion board as well as continuing content from the magazine.
Interviews
- "Dynamiting Beavers with Phil Monahan", a podcast interview with American Angler editor Phil Monahan.
Websites
- SaltwaterFlyFishing.com, the official new site of Saltwater Fly Fishing and the place to find back issue content following the recently-announced merger.
- The Itinerant Angler, fly fishing podcasts, photoblog, and online community, also including articles reprinted from American Angler.
- MidCurrent Flyfishing, a daily blog for dedicated trout anglers, also featuring articles reprinted from American Angler.