About Fly Anglers Online
By Anglers, For Anglers — Since 1997
Our Story
Fly Anglers Online was founded in 1997 by James “Castwell” Birkholm and Deanna “Ladyfisher” Birkholm as The Fly Fishing Enthusiast’s Online Magazine. What started as a passion project from their home became one of the longest-running fly fishing communities on the internet.
For nearly three decades, FAOL has been a gathering place for anglers of all levels — from the teenager picking up their first fly rod to the seasoned veteran with 50 years on the water.
The Founders
James “Castwell” Birkholm (1935–2009) wrote hundreds of columns on casting, technique, and the soul of fly fishing. His wit, wisdom, and love for the sport defined FAOL’s voice for over a decade. Read Castwell’s Columns
Deanna “Ladyfisher” Birkholm was the heart of FAOL — editor, writer, community builder, and the welcoming voice that made thousands of anglers feel at home. Her tireless dedication set the standard for what an online fishing community could be. Read Ladyfisher’s Columns
What We Are
FAOL is a community resource, not a business. We exist because fly fishing is better when shared.
Here you’ll find:
- 14,000+ fly patterns searchable by type, species, water, and materials
- 4,200+ columns and articles from writers like Neil Travis, Al Campbell, Ralph Long, Rick Zieger, and many more
- Active community forums for fishing discussion, gear talk, events, and fly swaps
- Games and puzzles — trivia, word search, pattern ID, and fly puzzles with leaderboards
- A beginner’s library with structured learning paths for casting, tying, knots, and more
Our Mission
To preserve and share the knowledge, stories, and friendships of the fly fishing community — for today’s anglers and for those who will pick up a fly rod tomorrow.
FAOL has always been free to join and free to use. The content in our archive represents the collective wisdom of thousands of anglers over nearly thirty years. Every fly pattern, every column, every tip shared in these pages is a gift from one angler to another.
We wouldn’t exist without our members. Thank you for being part of this community.
Tight lines.
— The FAOL Community
