I'm an incurable sucker for those glossy fly-fishing, travel and adventure magazines that line bookstore shelves, not to mention run a dozen deep on my night table.
Sure, I can learn about Czech nymphing, or where to backpack in Yellowstone. But mostly there's a vicarious thrill to be found in a well-written piece about a subject or locale just beyond my experience but well within my imagination.
I've climbed dozens of the world's tall peaks in the pages of Outside; fished the Madison, Fire Hole, Upper Sacramento and Kispiox in Fly, Rod & Reel, American Angler and Fly-Fisherman; and explored national parks, hidden caverns and foreign preserves in National Geographic Adventure.
Part of the appeal, however old-fashioned, is physically holding the magazine. For all the wonders the Internet can deliver to my doorstep, it has none of the texture that seems inherent to a magazine or newspaper piece.
One Web site is pushing me beyond that ingrained bias, though.
Midcurrent combines fly fishing news with industry info and bar-none the most interesting dedicated fly fishing video and podcast libraries around.
Check out the site, or have weekly newsletters e-mailed to you. Or add a live bookmark to your browser.
Midcurrent doesn't fit on the night table, and doesn't fit in my palms, but it sure feels like a magazine.