Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Welcome back Bob Lusk

Ah as the Fall season draws to a close the much anticipated return of Bob to the forum has happened! The words of wisdom will continue to flow until the warmth of Spring sends him on his merry way again. Glad to see ya back.

Also notice how the daily activity has increased since B.Lusk has reappeared.

Bob- are you going to give us a debriefing and explanation as to the editorial change at PBoss? Or are we going to have to wait and read about it in PBoss?

What type of changes do you see happening for the magazine now that you are "driving the boat"? How are you going to handle pond management and pond visits next year and also be PBoss editor? Seems like you've "hooked a wopper" on real light line. Is there enough time in the day? PS, don't forget about your new wife and ponds.

Thanks for the kind words, guys.
About a year ago Mark McDonald began consulting for a start up magazine in Houston. As the concept came to fruition, the new pub wanted more of Mark.
For the last five years, I have studied what he does, and he has tried to groom me. We both expected the editorial change, we just didn't know when it would occur.
The new mag offered him a full time slot, he took it.
In the meantime, in my pond management business, I have trained two new field workers this year, and have spent hundreds of hours in the field.
Bought a new truck last January, it now has 66,402 miles, as of today. So, yes I have been busy with pond management. But, I now have two competent employees to shift some of the burden.
Look for exciting changes to Pond Boss. I am adding writers, adding columns, changing the layout, and trying to figure out how to go completely in color without breaking the bank. I am hunting for writers, and have already added two new ones, and am looking for two or three more, immediately.
We will delve a little deeper into wildlife management oriented topics, as well as regular columns from biologists and other solid writers.
I won't shoulder the entire magazine. That's not wise.
Also, I will produce much of 2004's magazines before the pond management season.
Look for a fresh, new look, starting next issue.
It will be hard to duplicate Mark's humor, since my thinking is kind of twisted. We'll see. But, more content will follow, and we'll do a better job covering northern ponds.
Anyone out there have story ideas or want to be a writer, e-mail me personally at pondboss@texoma.net.
Let's talk.

Bob, here's a big THUMBS UP to possible Wildlife Management articles. We all appreciate the personal touch you add to our fish eco-systems, but Wildlife Management is becoming a Big Player, especially in Texas...Tax Deductions ! County by County, more places are dropping the Ag exemptions for Wildlife Management, we don't all want to raise cows ! I believe you're ahead of the curve...keep up the great work !

Thanks for the kind words. Just received an article from Dan VanSchaik, wildlife biologist who has worked different parts of the US. He will be a regular wildlife columnist, along with our good friend Sherman Wyman. So, each issue of the magazine will have at least two wildlife articles.
Dan grew up in Maryland, has worked for state and federal agencies, but most of his career has been in the private sector, especially larger ranches..doing upland game management. His first article covers nuisance mammals...beaver, nutria, muskrats, raccoon, skunk, opossum.
We have put together his writing calendar for 2004, and he has some exciting, informative stuff in the works.
Norman Latona will continue his "Pushing the Envelope" articles each issue and Mike Otto is staying the course with construction issues. Mike's next column, in Jan/Feb, completely covers fish structure. Got lots of good photos of fish cover, too.
So, Pond Boss will grow in 2004. Looks like we will have several different writers contributing for "On Northern Pond." I am awaiting their decisions and articles.
I'm pumped.
For a subscription, order on line, or call Nicole at our office. (800)687-6075.

Sounds great, just sent in my renewal for the third year of the magazine. Keep up the great work.

Bob

Let's hope the magazine grows. I consider back issues a valuable reference. All forum readers should subscribe to the mag. It has more indepth information that is not presented here and price is not all that much especially if it in the future has more fish raising details and how-to-do-it info.

Bill C and Bob L, I agree that back issues are valuable resources, but have had trouble researching which ones address my specific needs. May I suggest that the PB site develop a more detailed index of articles and search options of those back issues? You may want to look at posting articles with a payment required to download - that would be a way to expand revenues without having the physcial handling of the paper versions. (Of course, PB subscribers would get a discount, right?) While I recognize that there would be initial development costs, the long term maintenance costs should be minimal. Even as a PB subscriber, there is no question I would be willing to "buy" such downloads!

PS - Bob, congrats on your new position!!!

Bob,

Bill Cody would be an asset if he has not contacted you yet. He handles technical material very well and really know his stuff on aerating northern ponds with diffusers.

I would be willing to do an article on trout ponds once I get all my research done and the bugs worked out. That won't be for another year.

Case in point about covering northern ponds. Did you see where Scott Trava says he has 152 ponds to take care of? Lots of ponds north of the Mason Dixon line!

Bob,
How about in the Dec. issue of Pond Boss mag. each year providing a list of article titles from the prceeding issues of that year. NRA/s American Rifleman does that & it is extreemly helpful.
Ric

Folks,
Good thoughts, all.
All suggestions duly noted and recognized..I will take action. Please stay tuned.
Taking a week of quiet time to write and think and plan for Pond Boss, and be with my family.
Back on the site a week from tomorrow.

Just a small thought for the mag, how about a readers photo page. Best pics of home grown lunkers or just those nice pics of the ponds.

I like ranch girl's idea and ric's as well. also, what do you think about a "past bond poss editions on cd" ? on it, you could type in key words and go directly to those articles. that way, we could view and/or print off only the articles we want to have a hard copy of, avoiding excess paper loss/work by pond boss. of course, with people copying cd's now you may have to use a key lock/access to open number or whatever, otherwise you may sell a few of them, but people copy that cd-rom and dispense to other folks for free... (i guess if people wanted to they could always do the old fashion way of xeroxing the actual pond boss mag, but hey, we are much more high tech than that nowadays huh!!)

thanks, mark

FYI - For an index of past PBoss magazine article titles go to forum heading of Product Sources and see individial topics for the year of PBoss mag you are interested in. I have indexed many of the past issues and will continue to do more years this winter.