From the Editor
I’ve been thinking about the concept of community lately, of what a community is, how it’s built, how the idea of community has changed in a digital world, and what can be done to strengthen the human relationships that are the tendons and sinews of every community. While such ruminations have been a pleasant break from my day job of writing what seems to be 10 million words a week, the tragic circumstance that launched these reflections was unwelcome in the extreme. The loss of the great fly tyer and fly-fishing mentor Bob Popovics to a hit-and-run driver just a few blocks from his home in Seaside Park, New Jersey, was, and is, and will long remain, a shock to the saltwater fly-fishing community.
I assumed the editor’s post at Tail magazine not long before the news that Popovics had passed, and as we pulled together a coast-to-coast tribute for this issue, the ensuing weeks of texts, emails, and phone calls—yes, actual verbal telephone communications!—quickly underscored for me the sense of community within the saltwater fly-fishing world. I didn’t know Popovics personally, so I am exceedingly grateful to Tail West Coast editor, Al Quattrocchi, for collecting and curating the words and images of our tribute to Popovics. “Al Q,” as he is affectionately known, was a long-time and close friend of Popovics. I know it was difficult for him to push through this assignment while working through his own grief. I also know that Popovics would have been deeply touched and honored by his effort.
While reading some of the background on Popovics, I was struck by one particular comment. Tail contributor Pete Barrett once wrote the Popovics was “one of the most influential fly tiers of the second generation of saltwater fly-fishing pioneers.” The first generation was in the realm of A.W. Dimock, Stu Apte and Jimmy Albright of the Florida Keys, Harry Kime of California, and Joe Brooks of practically everywhere. There were others in this great generation of anglers. If you don’t know these names, I encourage you to do a little digging on your own. These are the people who blazed the trail this community so deeply loves.
The second generation of pioneers includes, just to name a few, Lefty Kreh, Flip Pallot, Harry Spear, Chico Fernandez, Bob Clouser, Steve Huff, Del Brown, and Mark Sosin. And Bob Popovics, of course.
It could be said that we are now in the third generation in the evolution of our beloved sport. And it might be tempting to think that in this third wave there is little left to be discovered on this planet, or that there aren’t the quantum improvements to be made in gear and equipment that marked earlier innovative eras, or that there’s not a lot of pioneering to be done, frankly, in the world of saltwater fly fishing.
But I have a perspective that I might not have had three months ago. I certainly wouldn’t have had it without the upwelling of community surrounding Popovics’ death. So, here’s what I’m thinking:
The legends in this third wave of saltwater fly fishing may not attain the mantle of general celebrity as did Ted Williams, Jose Wejebe, or Lee and Joan Wulff. It is the nature of modern life, and modern media, that we may not have blazing stars that sear across the sporting world in that fashion.
Yet, while there may not ever be another Joe Brooks or Lefty Kreh or Bob Popovics—although there may—this much I can guarantee you: There will never be another you. And there will never be a better time in saltwater fly fishing to build a community and share the values that those first- and second-generation pioneers helped shape. There has never been a better time for connecting.
This third generation—our third wave—is going to be about building community, and every one of has a better chance than ever before to be legendary: A legend in the realm of building community, of sharing knowledge, and of welcoming new people into our fold. We have the models for just such an undertaking. Folks like Bob Popovics helped clear the path. The rest is up to us.
In that spirit I want to introduce a new era of Tail the magazine to Tail the community. Staff has joked about 2025 being the year of “Tail 2.0.” And there’s something to that. We plan on dialing up the energy here, with a new design, a new logo, and new ideas about storytelling. What won’t be new is the magazine’s commitment to authoritative voices.
Part of this introduction is a heartfelt thanks to Joseph Ballarini, who founded this magazine 12 years ago. So many of us discover saltwater fly fishing and build a life around it. Joe discovered saltwater fly fishing and built a magazine around it. The fact that he has kept it cranking for a dozen years is nothing short of remarkable.
And I’m grateful that you’re already a part of the community. I hope you’ll help us build this third wave of saltwater fly-fishing community. I hope you’ll tell a friend what’s up with Tail. Actually, I hope you’ll holler the news from your favorite boat ramp or fly shop. Keeping a magazine alive and thriving isn’t easy these days. But when it comes to sharing our passions for saltwater fly fishing, we know the way. Moving forward, we’ll respect the past. We have the footprints of the legends to follow.
Tail 2.0. Let’s build it.
T. Edward Nickens
