The State of DUN Magazine
I have held off sending a message to our audience and subscribers until I have had a better handle on the situation here in our office. To say that these times are unprecedented and confusing is a gross understatement. Not one of us could have foreseen a few months ago where we would be at this moment in time. This pandemic has hit all of us personally and indeed has hit the fly-fishing industry, as well. Some of the largest fly-fishing manufacturers in the world have had to furlough their employees until further notice. The majority of guides have hung up their waders during this time to protect not only themselves but their clients. Every fly shop I know of is currently closed, with some open to online sales in the hopes of not having to shutter their doors completely when this is over. I have received many calls and emails from fly shops and outlets that sell DUN asking to cancel future magazine orders. Even big-box stores like Barnes & Noble, which is one of our largest retailers, has halted the purchase of all magazines (not just DUN). At the beginning of this outbreak, I was in a local Lowe’s and their magazine rack was noticeably missing, as well. As much as I hate to admit it, I get it. Magazines are currently on the back burner. After all, we currently have much more pressing issues facing our world.
As the Editor-in-Chief of DUN Magazine, I wanted to be straightforward with you as to where we currently stand as a magazine. At this point, we cannot currently print and deliver a magazine to you. In addition to the manufacturers and businesses that normally support us with ad sales stopping all the current ad buys, we believe it would be socially irresponsible to take up the resources of the post office when people need these resources for more important deliveries. In addition, we feel that delivering a magazine that would be touched by so many before it gets to your door, would be putting our subscribers and those who deliver the magazine at risk during this moment in time.
Like you, our authors and contributors are currently unable to travel, convene, and in many places, fish. That being said, some of our incredible authors, who are everyday anglers just like you, have agreed to have their for-print articles published online. In the coming weeks, we will be digging into our article vault and publishing some of the amazing stories we have been saving for future editions. It is our hope that this will help you pass the time indoors until we can all be on the river together once again. Thank you to our authors who are ok with this change of direction. We could never do this without them.
Lastly, during this time of uncertainty, I want to hear from you. What kind of content would you like to see? Is there a question you’ve been wanting to ask, but didn’t know how? Send your questions directly to me at Jen@DUNMagazine.com. I want to thank each of you personally for your support during this uncertain time. Your love for our magazine and your friendship is appreciated more than you realize. It is my hope that when we all emerge on the other side of this, that we are not only better-educated anglers but more civilized ones as well.
May you and your family remain safe and healthy during this time.
