Catfish Connections – January 2023

A New Year: Building on a Sturdy Foundation

When CatfishNOW editor Ron Presley sent me a message asking that I call him recently, I figured he wanted to discuss another assignment for the online magazine. I started working with Ron when the publication began in 2016 and have been a regular contributor ever since. We often spent time on the phone talking about story ideas for upcoming issues.

This time, however, Ron wanted to talk about something else.

“I’ve decided its time to retire from my editorial responsibilities,” he told me. “I plan to keep writing and shooting some videos, but I want to spend more time fishing and less time at the computer. The December 2022 issue of CatfishNOW will be my final one as editor.

“That being the case,” he continued, “our publisher Dan Dannenmueller will be looking to hire a new editor. I wonder if that might be a job that would interest you?”

Ron knew I had retired from a full-time job in the Arkansas Farm Bureau public relations department last spring and knew that I had previously worked as an editor for publications such as Sports Afield and Cabela’s Outfitter Journal. He also knew I have a keen interest in everything catfish. Working as editor of CatfishNOW would be right up my alley, and being almost fully retired from other work, I’d have plenty of time to do it.

So here we are. Captain Presley wrapped up his multi-year tenure as CatfishNOW editor with the last issue, and Mr. Dannenmueller hired me to step into Ron’s big shoes. With just one issue of the magazine under my belt (the one you see here), I can tell you that Ron has done a truly amazing job making CatfishNOW the well-respected magazine he and Dan always hoped it would be. And he’s done that by spending literally thousands of hours on the water, at events and on his computer, establishing himself as the number-one go-to guy for everything catfish.

Fortunately for me, Ron has done such a good job, all I have to do now is follow in his footsteps. It will be a lot of work, but I’ll try to continue what he’s started—working with a talented lineup of writers to bring you the best content and photos; keeping you up-to-date on the latest catfishing techniques, tackle, gear and destinations; sharing information from catfishing groups, clubs, guides and tournament trails; plus, seeking good sponsors who will be rewarded with content and reach to help promote their products.

If we do our job right here at CatfishNOW, the sport of catfishing will continue to grow and thrive. But that will only happen if we establish regular communications with you, the readers. Use my email address, catfishdude@sbcglobal.net, to let me know what you like, what you’d like to see more of or less of, and to share your personal experiences on the water.

Let’s make 2023 the best year ever for the millions of people who enjoy catfishing.

I’ll see you downstream.

Keith “Catfish” Sutton, Editor