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We've all been through a very tough few
days in the past week. The London bombings
by the terrorists filled our television screen
for hours on end. We would probably still be
watching that if it weren't for hurricane Dennis
striking the gulf coast as I write this. Natural
disasters are just that, natural. We can't change
how or when they strike, and the states affected
do their best to prepare and have emergency services
in place to handle the devastation. It doesn't make
the financial hardship or emotional shock any easier
on those who are in the hurricanes path. We pray all
come through it alive. It does make it a little easier
for those of us concerned with our readers welfare
if they can put a post on the Bulletin Board letting
us know they are okay when their conditions allow.
For those still suffering from the London
bombings, we extend our condolences - and
if it helps at all, we are all as outraged
as you. We haven't forgotten our 9/11 here
- although to hear some of our politicians
you would think it never happened. I hope
those people are gone when the next election
is over. What we need is non-politicians who
can work together to make this country stronger
and safer. Stop the finger pointing and get
the job done. Just do what is right for the
country - not your political party.
That said, there are some things happening
which are really good.
Jack Hise had a wonderful experience teaching
young girls to fly fish recently. He has
mentioned it on the Bulletin Board and sent
me a terrific article on it. As soon as the
photographs show up it will be in Reader's Casts.
Roger Stouff called us this morning from
Browning, MT. Our Louisiana bayou guy has
finished filming the first part of his
adventure and is headed home. He called to
see if we could possibly meet him at Sea-Tac
airport tonight. As much as we would have
enjoyed that, it's a minimum of two hours
each way, and this is 'changeover' night -
the new issue goes up. He had a wonderful
experience and caught (yes, really) trout!
It also turned out it was Indian Days in
Browning so he had an opportunity to catch
some Indian dancers as part of the festivities
too. His Montana guide, Joe, will take a
trip down to Roger's native water in the fall,
and Roger gets to play guide for him.
Interesting story line.
Dave Micus has also been tapped by the same
film company, Barrett Productions
to do a program on fishing for stripers in
October on the northeast coast - so at least
two of the tv fly fishing programs will have
content of value to our readers! Pretty neat
stuff.
Another of our folks, Jeff Pierce (Dr. Fish)
has also been hired to be the saltwater Host
for the Canadian tv program, The New Fly Fisher.
You've read some of Jeff's adventures here on
FAOL - he does a great job, and here is exactly
what you've been asking for. Not just fishing,
but the flies, the locales and the various parts
which make up the whole of a fly fishing experience.
So while our name (FAOL) may or may not be
mentioned, we feel we've had a part in changing
how some of the television programs are done.
Fourteen weeks ago we began the Spanish language
version of Al Campbell's fly tying instructional
series. It didn't take long for the search
engines and robots to find it. This past
week when I checked the stats, several hundred
readers were accessing it per day. Since we
already have a large foreign readership, it's
difficult to tell if we've added any new countries
(we already get 120 each month) - but I do know
the contribution David Marin (dphotoco on the
Bulletin Board) has made and continues to make
with the translations is a very good thing. We
sincerely appreciate it.
Even though it is early summer time for us
here in the US, there are already trout
waters which are too warm to fish. Even
if the waters remain legally open, be aware
any stream over 70 degrees is too warm to fish.
Don't do it. The good news is there are
lakes and warm water river and ponds which
you can fish. If as a 'trouter' you have
not availed yourself of those opportunities,
FAOL does have excellent information in our
Panfish and Warmwater sections on how to do
it. We also have an extensive section on
fishing lakes. Lakes are probably the most
underutilized fishing resource we have. Now
may be the perfect time to do some exploring
and try something new. You have absolutely
nothing to lose - and you just might be
surprised at how much fight those 'other'
fish have.
My husband, JC or Castwell, and I have made
our reservations for the Idaho Fish-In.
You will find the information on this years
gathering listed on the Fish-In menu. We
reserved one of the A-frames, and Jim's
heart doc has given his approval. The
good Lord willing we might even get to
fish this year. It is a lovely time of
year in the Idaho mountains, and we look
forward to seeing those who can make it.
So while the world seems to be whirling
out of control around us, FAOL is still
here, alive and very well. We find the
same solace and meeting of the minds here
as you. We too read the Bulletin Board
and share vicariously your trips and
successes. We both wish from time to
time we could spend a half-hour with
you to fix your casting problems in
person. We will get to do that with
some of you at the next Fish-In.
But for us too, FAOL is the one safe
community we have. We know the commonality
of our pursuit of fly fishing and the life
it has lead us to live is shared by others
who value the various parts of it too.
We know when bad things happen, we have a
place where we are safe and the others folks
here accept us for who we are. Sometimes
warts and all. ~ DLB
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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