|
I want to thank the hosts of the Anglers Hut
Chat Room here on Fly Anglers OnLine. These guys
and gals not only fill in their own shifts but help
each other when needed and make this site what it is.
I think we have the best darn fly-fishing chat room
on the web, period! We have the most advanced electronics
available on today's market sure, but without the quality
hosts, a chat room has no character. From the LadyFisher
and me, thanks for the outstanding work all of you have
done. You are the 'family' which binds it all together.
That said, I want you to know that many of the 'FAOL'
chat-room hosts do volunteer work in their local towns
when possible. Here is the usual arrangement. They will
offer to give casting lessons for a large sporting goods
dealer. No charge, they just show up and in a parking
lot or whatever, do the best they can with what the
have to work with.
Another method is this. They bring a card table to
the fly section of the local sporting goods store
and teach fly-tying. No charge, and they supply all
the materials. Now I don't mean they set up a dozen
vises and make a big deal out of it. They just bring
their own hooks and feathers and sit there showing
kids and beginners how to do it. If one wants to
sit down, great, have at it.
Volunteerism. Giving back to fly-fishing. Easy to do,
just call or make arrangements with the store in your
area. In this sport the more you give, the more you
get back. Think you are not good enough? I bet you
are. If you are better at casting and fly-tying than
the ones who show up, you are ready.
Don't think you need to be an 'Expert' to do these things.
Sure, if you are going to teach 'advanced-double-haul,'
you better be able to do it. But, for just helping new
guys get into fly fishing or tying, you probably know
enough already. Can you tie an Adams? Can you teach
someone how to cast thirty feet? Then, you are ready.
I am very proud of our hosts and I am be proud
of you too. It's just one more facet of fly-fishing;
sharing, comradery, friendliness and giving of
ourselves. ~ James Castwell
|
