Down The Tubes

When I was growing up, sportsmen were blessed with three fine national fishing and hunting magazines. Sadly, they are no longer published.

"Sports Afield," the one with the lowest circulation of the "big three," often offered articles about outdoor destinations. It was the first of the three to "go down the tubes."

The other two, "Outdoor Life" and "Field and Stream," survived for a hundred years. "Outdoor Life" featured a number of fine writers when I was young, including hunting legend Jack O'Connor. Joe Brooks, the magazine's fishing editor, was my favorite. Prior to Brooks, Ray Bergman,...