From Richard Hewitt – Chairman, Fish and Fly Ltd
As many of you will be aware, Fishing Magic was one of the earliest coarse fishing websites and started to really make an impact when Graham Marsden joined as Editor in 1999. Since then the site has developed into one of the largest and most respected coarse fishing websites in Europe.
Fish & Fly purchased the site in February 2009 from Magicalia Group and Graham continued as Editor until January 2010 when he retired specifically to concentrate on writing more of his wonderful fishing books whilst retaining the title of Editor Emeritus in recognition of his outstanding services to the site.
Since that time Fishing Magic has been editorially steered by Jeff Woodhouse and Geoff Maynard reporting to our Fish and Fly Editor Paul Sharman. We have also enjoyed incredible support from our members producing some top quality and engaging content.
As part of our continued development and confidence in Fishing Magic and its superb supporters we have decided to appoint a new Editor and a new Sales Executive to the team.
Editor
I am pleased to advise that one of the UK’s leading and most respected anglers, Ian Welch, has agreed to join the team as Editor of Fishing Magic with effect from 8th June 2011. Ian will also join our management team at Fish & Fly.
Ian will be well known to most of you as a highly accomplished and respected angler and industry professional with extensive freshwater fishing experience and with a very wide range of published articles in the leading angling journals. His achievements in fishing are legendary and include the largest freshwater fish ever landed a giant freshwater sting ray weighing in excess of 55 stone from the Maeklong River in Thailand.
I know that working with the existing team Ian has some exciting plans for the site but not wishing to ‘steal his thunder’ as a taster here is a quote from Ian.
“Fishing Magic has long been regarded as the premier online angling site with a wealth of news, views, reviews and information to entertain, instruct and offer informed opinion to anglers of all disciplines and abilities.
Advances in digital technology now make online angling resources potentially more important and exciting than ever and I am delighted to be joining the Fishing Magic team at a time of great, and positive, change in the industry.
My input will continue to deliver the very best of what Fishing Magic does now but will begin to expand the site to deliver a wealth of new material and to bring a fresh, new dimension to the whole online angling experience!”
Sales Executive
We are also delighted to advise that Will Barnard is joining the team on the 8th June 2011 to head up the small team that will be advising both existing and new clients how best to market their services and products using digital media. Will also joins our management team at Fish & Fly.
Will is a highly motivated individual with extensive angling experience and industry knowledge with his recent roles including Account Manager at Fox International and Angling Development Officer at Reading Borough. He is also head coach for Reading and District junior angling initiative that includes coaching to young people from deprived and underprivileged backgrounds.
Will has contributed to Fishing Magic previously with his articles and most recently with a feature on the Haven Caravan Park and Fishery at Burnham on Sea which has proven very successful for our client.
Working closely with Ian and the team here Will adds yet another new dimension to Fishing Magic.
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I am sure these appointments will be seen in a very positive way and will also be an assurance that Fish&Fly are committed to grow Fishing Magic and make it an even better resource for the members and guests that visit the site.
In the meantime thanks from all the team here go to our members and guests who support the site.
Richard and the team at Fish & Fly
