STILLWATER, Okla. — Andy Whitcomb got his start writing for magazines in 2007, but he would be the first to say he’s been preparing for many years before.

“I’ve been writing notes and not sure why I’ve been writing notes ever since high school,” said Whitcomb. “It just kind of got stuffed in a sock drawer. Here, in 2007 I think, I got the opportunity to (and was) inspired to write a piece, a sort of thank you for a fellow who takes me fishing in Pennsylvania.”

Soon after writing that first piece, Whitcomb wrote and had a column published with the Pennsylvania Angler and Boater and a column in Outdoor Oklahoma on bass thumb — the scarring of the thumb many anglers get after pulling many fish out of the water. These opportunities led Whitcomb to a man who had been associated with ESPN Outdoors. Through that contact, Whitcomb showed his work to a creative director who loved it. However, it wasn’t “newsy” enough, according to Whitcomb. Perseverance paid off as Whitcomb wrote another piece that dealt with the green movement. This led to his first published piece with ESPN Outdoors in April 2008. Whitcomb wrote 15 pieces for the magazine.

His experience in fishing started early.

“My dad took me fishing,” said Whitcomb. “I must have been 2 or 3. I wasn’t very old.”

Whitcomb remembers carrying his dad’s tacklebox with two hands. He was, no pun intended, hooked from the start, said Whitcomb.

His professional experience helps him write his current column with Oklahoma Today. Whitcomb got his degree from Oklahoma State University in Zoology and he took as many fishery courses as he could, said Whitcomb. He also had a series of temporary positions as a fishery research technician and worked at many hatcheries.

Whitcomb approached Oklahoma Today between late 2009 and early 2010. After awhile, an editor called and asked him if he was still interested in writing for them.

“I was very, very interested,” said Whitcomb smiling. “They’re giving me freedom as far as any humor or outdoorsy stuff that I want to work in, I can.”

Whitcomb’s humor is apparent as he explains his current goal of purchasing a fishing boat.

“My idea of what I want for a boat differs from what the family’s idea is,” said Whitcomb. “I have visions of the glitter boat with the whole nine yards, but they want something with two stories that has a slide off the back, which I’m sure would go well; not scare any fish doing that.”

While he hadn’t really thought of representing Stillwater in a state magazine, he’s excited to try.

“It’s a great honor,” said Whitcomb. “I hope I can pull it off.”

He hopes to entertain and teach the reader at the same time.

“It’s fun,” said Whitcomb. “It’s rewarding. I love making people laugh. If I can ever get that milk out the nose or that unexpected little reaction to a joke, that’s what I’m shooting for. If I can promote the outdoors or fishing, that’s a big plus, too, because I think there’s a lot that can be gained for getting kids outside...”

The father of two children, Luke, 8 and daughter Drew, 5, he said his kids are one of the reasons he started writing.

“I think they enjoy what I do,” said Whitcomb. “I don’t think they fully understand it. I went in and had a great time talking to my son’s, at the time, second-grade class. They’d asked me to come in and talk about my writing process.”

He said he’s happy that he could teach his children how to fish.

“My daughter has been getting bass thumb herself,” said Whitcomb. “Not afraid of fish since she could walk.”

As for his son, Whitcomb said he’s started to share his love of fishing.

“My son catches, routinely during the summer, 10 pound catfish out of here ... and about five or six pound bass with such frequency ... that if he hooks something, he’ll turn around and hand the pole to another kid so they can share the experience, too,” said Whitcomb.

Whitcomb said the amount of time for his writing process depends on the subject matter.

“My family gets everything I have and then maybe work, so my windows for writing are short and usually take me ... I’ll write from like 11 to two in the morning,” said Whitcomb.

His first article for Oklahoma Today took about six hours to finish.

Whitcomb’s column is titled “A Letter from Stillwater”. He hopes to spotlight well known areas around the area. A future piece will center around Lake McMurtry. He’s also thought of getting into contact with local noodler Lee McFarlin for a future article. Whitcomb is excited about his chance to be back in print.

“The majority of what I’ve done so far has been on the Internet,” said Whitcomb. “The Internet is sort of fleeting. I like being back in print on Oklahoma Today and there’s something about the big glossy pictures and something you can hold in your hand that’s going to stick around for awhile.”