Fishing Industry Loss

I learned today that John Merwin, who I knew best as Fishing Editor for Field & Stream, died last week. I won't claim that I knew Merwin well, but I remember well our conversations at industry gatherings.

For five years, Merwin shared a blog called "the Honest Angler" with Joe Cermele on Field & Stream's website, and honesty is probably the thing that I remember best about Merwin. I met him when I was wearing the PR hat, and he always gave me his straight perspective on everything. He would seek me out to visit and take time to listen to every story I had to tell about a cool new lure; however, he didn't try to tell me it was the greatest thing he'd ever seen -- unless he really thought it was -- and his readers could always count on the same honesty. I'll also miss the wonderful dynamic of the shared blog between young and enthusiastic Joe Cermele and curmudgeonly John Merwin. Despite their very different personalities and life experience, they shared an obvious friendship and a tremendous love for fishing of all kinds and for telling the stories that go with fishing.