Two of my favorite things came together for our November cover story: a Jay Fleming photo essay on scallops. Jay is a photographer and freelance writer whose magnificent book “Working the Water” is a tribute to his home waters of Chesapeake Bay. He’s extending his coverage to more of our nation’s fisheries, which should give us all ample opportunity to enjoy more of his work in the near future.

But it’s not just me. Our whole staff gets excited when we know we have work coming from Jay. His photos together with the stories he tells reveal his love for this industry, despite the hazards that come with piling in with a crew for a weeklong offshore scallop trip. Jay makes our work easy, and you can see why from the cover as well as his story about the experience of riding along on both trip and dayboat scallopers on page 24 of our November issue.

Of course, if you don’t already know who Jay Fleming is, then you’ve probably been living out your life offshore with no Internet access. If that’s a problem you’re interested in solving, you’ll want to check out Boats & Gear Editor Paul Molyneaux’s profile on satellite communications. Paul dives into what is changing in the world of global connectivity and what that might mean for your crew. Read the full story on page 30.

Connectivity offshore is becoming a common crew amenity as more fisheries and fleets strive to lure the best crew with the comforts of home. But some fleets are still focused on loading up and getting back from the grounds as quickly as possible, whatever that may mean for the crew.

Bellingham-based boatbuilder and Bristol Bay fisherman Tom Aliotti is expanding his Washington shop to launch even more of his high-capacity and speedy (if somewhat Spartan) Bristol Bay gillnetters next year. Read more about his plans in a feature from former Boats & Gear Editor Michael Crowley on page 20.

It’s not too late to get a ticket to come see us at Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle, Nov. 21-23. Registration is free before the show. You may or may not spot me sporting those Salmon Sisters/Grundéns leggings in the Products on page 34. Get them while you can!