It has been several months since I've had the opportunity to sit down and write a new editorial. Unlike many things here at RS, the editorials are done when there is a need or I have ample time. Since I do have some time, I want to make you aware of some changes that may be coming to the site and simply reiterate our purpose.

Server Space
The site has grown tremendously since 1999 and, for the first time, server space has become a consideration. The ever expanding message forum, larger photo galleries, and the continuous addition of new material takes up server space. We are not in a bind by any means, but we want to take steps to prevent any problems in the future. Topics in the message forum that are not fishing-related are generally deleted when they reach the bottom of the list rather than being archived. We don't mind some off-topic discussions from time to time, but just be aware that they most likely won't be saved.

The 2001 photo gallery may also be removed at some point this year. It is very large and we may have to make room for this year's gallery. Photos and images are space hogs anyway.

We will be looking at other areas of the site to see if anything can be removed. Nothing critical, mind you, just a little fat trimming if we feel it's necessary. There are a couple of sections of RS that really don't get much use. We would rather remove something that isn't a necessity and make more room for articles, reviews, photos, and the forum.

Again, this is not an emergency and the impact on you will be minimal. Server space is something that we, the staff, should be concerned with, not our readers. Fortunately, we have several generous sponsors, so paying for the space is not a problem.

Message Forum
At some point this year, we anticipate upgrading to the next version of the Discus message forum software. The next version will have several new user features for you as well as additional admin functions for the staff. The layout of our forum may change with the new version, but the basic operation will not. You won't have to spend time learning everything all over again. Since the next version is still in beta testing, we won't be upgrading until the official release. The forum has become the core of the site and we want to make sure we offer you the most updated version possible.

While I am on the subject, let me remind everyone of something concerning the field reports boards. Please do not post anything other than actual field reports in those forums. Questions about river/water conditions, access points, etc., should be posted on the Smallie Board. The field reports forums were started specifically for the purpose of reporting about your fishing trips. Anything else belongs on the Smallie Board. It may seem I'm being nit-picky about this, but there are reasons. Topics that don't belong in the field reports forums will be moved without warning. Your cooperation will go a long way toward helping me.

Photo Gallery and Contest
Starting this year, photos of kids with smallies will be posted in the main photo gallery. The photo gallery in the Kids & Smallies section is one of those sections I was referring to above when I said some weren't getting much use. The special kids section hasn't received the attention we hoped it would and the gallery there is kind of hidden away. Kids photos will now go in our regular gallery so they can get the same attention as the rest of us.

Due to the fact that our gallery has grown larger each year, it may be necessary to handle the contest a bit differently this year. Someone suggested that the staff narrow the final field to a manageable number of photos before the voting takes place. We may do that for our next contest, but no final decisions have been made. We realize the difficulty in voting when there are so many pictures to review. We may also hold a separate contest for the kids, but that will depend on whether there are sufficient entries to make it worthwhile.

Action Alerts
You may be seeing more alerts posted in the message forum. If we come across something we feel is of importance, i.e., spills, potential threats to waterways or smallmouth bass, legislative items of interest, etc., we will post those on the Smallie Board for your information. Some may ask for your help in some way, while others will simply be to inform you. We realize these types of topics are generally not as popular as "What's your favorite lure?", but it is our responsibility to pass along even the "boring" stuff.

Looking Back and Ahead
River Smallies.com was started on the premise that we (the staff) are just everyday people like all of you. We are not somehow more knowledgeable or better anglers because we are part of the staff. We wanted a site that could be enjoyed by the average Joe who isn't a professional angler and perhaps only gets to fish when he's not working or carrying out one of many other responsibilities.

Our primary purpose is to provide you with information and allow you to exchange information with one another. We are not in the e-commerce business. You'll never find an online tackle store here. We want you to share information through the forum, guest articles and reviews, and the various rodeos. While there are times to be serious, we also want you to have fun. Afterall, it IS just fishing.

Three of the founding staff members are no longer with us, but they have been replaced along the way. The staff is not paid, although I personally wish I could compensate them in some form. The staff serves to make important decisions, provide material, and shape the future of RS along with each of you. They give of their time voluntarily because of their love for smallmouth bass in moving water. We have not lost the premise on which the site was founded, even though some have said the content of the message forum is too shallow and some of the articles are not "professionally" written. We aren't out to win a populartiy contest and, to be honest, I don't think the average Joe cares much about such things.

My friend, Al Pugh, has probably said it best when he said, "Think of this as our little corner of the bait shop!". You are free to come and go as you please, stay as long as you want, and speak your mind. Frankly, we wouldn't have it any other way.

On behalf of the staff, thank you for the support you've given the site!

Good fishing,
Brian