It breaks my heart that this site isn’t more active. I’ve been a member since 1998, although under a different name. I’ve learned a great deal, made some awesome friends, and seen a lot of people come and go. Many Kudos to Lady Fisher and JC. I think of them both, often. I’ve met them both, and had the pleasure of preparing a Dutch oven lasagna dinner for them at one of the Idaho Fish-In’s. The first time I met Lady Fisher she hugged me around the neck and kissed me on the cheek. From that day on, I’ve felt like family.
Lotech,
I completely agree with you. This site was once a treasure of information. There are still a few who are informative poster on this site, especially in Fly tying. However, the information (menu) on the left side has not been updated in years since Neil reverted to a Face Book site. I guess must of the old regulars have either pasted or lost interest. Every now and then I see a new member, but not many. I also regret that we no longer have well attended Fish Ins. That’s where we used to put a face with a name and build friendships. I tried to organize one a couple of years ago, but it was attended by only a very few compared to previous years. Yes, when we last JC and Ladyfisher thing started down hill. Best to you and those still here.
You guys are right. Sadly, it’s just not the same since Jim’s passing, then Deanna’s. This was a close knit Family and they were Dad & Mom. Also, social media has grown to the extent that close knit groups HAVE divided & diminished.
I grew very close to Jim & Deanna. My flycasting will never be great (never DID get the double haul), but it has served me well since my personal lesson from Jim at the 2006 Michigan Fish-In. Everytime I make my peanut butter fudge, I think of him as he loved the stuff & I made him plenty of it. Before the 2007 Michigan Fish-In, Jim called me & asked that I stop in Pinconing Mich to get him some extra sharp Pinconing cheese. Deanna was instrumental in my buying a Folstaff & Tilley Hat. She was a sweetheart to just talk to in person OR via a phone call. People like them are NEVER replaced, but I am Blessed to keep both in my memory.
I’m still checking daily but, like many others, not posting much anymore. Part of that is advancing age, vastly diminished tying skills, & INCREASING Grandkids…9 of 'em now.
FAOL friends, please stay well, enjoy life, check in when able, smile & laugh a lot & God Bless you all
Mikey
Sorry that my attempt to at least keep this site viable has not apparently been as successful as some have hoped. If there is someone among you that would like to take over this site let me know. Over the past 12 years I have spent my own money to keep this site viable, so if there is someone out there that wants to start paying the bills just let me know and they can have their own website.
The Chronicler
Neil, I don’t think what they are lamenting was anything you or anyone else could have avoided. No one has spent the hours that Jim Birkholm did keeping this site going since his death. That is not a criticism because you and other administrators have you own lives to live. He could be pigheaded, bigoted and irrationally angry at times, much of which I blame from experience with my dad on the medications for his congestive heart condition. More importantly he generously answered the same questions over and over while recruiting some excellent writers and successfully recruiting and supporting sponsors. If running this site was not a full time job it was very close to it. I’m not sure in the present fractured state of the internet that even someone taking on that kind of responsibilities here would restore the site to what it was.
This site was a wonderful place full of mature kind people, the rest of the internet moved in a different direction. Neil we appreciate everything you have done to keep this library of information open and here to help us and others it would be a real shame for it to disappear.
Eric
Neil,
No one is criticizing you keeping the site up with what is there. We realize you once said it is at your own expense and you have said it again. I and others once had to pay $25.00 for a membership and I was glad to do it, especially for what it once offered. It might have been voluntary, can’t remember. I don’t know of anyone here who knows how to take it over, but I for one would be willing to help you and anyone else with the expense to keep it going and maybe enhance it. So for the time being we greatly appreciate what you are doing. Please don’t take anything we are saying as a criticism against you personally. I know the FISH INS were very popular at one time and several of us have attempted to keep those going, but with little success. As I said, maybe the reason is because many of us are getting too old to travel. I don’t know for sure, but if the site was enhanced, more younger people might take an interest. So if anyone is willing to help you or someone else renew the site, let them speak up. I am 78 and only willing to support the site monetarily and enthusiastically. I don’t know you personally but, thank you in advance for your support and understanding.
Neil, I am very sorry if you took my remarks as an insult or criticism. That was certainly not my intent. I am far less active on other sites as well, largely due (IMO) to a changing culture, especially with social media as it is today. It’s “instantly here & instantly gone”.
“The times, they are a’changing” (and I’m old!)
Mikey
Neil,
As John suggested, NONE of the “breaks my heart” comments were anywhere near meant to impugn your continued selfless contributions to this site. Were it mine, I would have stuck a fork in it about two years ago. And also, since John mentioned it, and , I would hate to see a " this site is not available" screenshot, and, since I am a staunch Republican who steals from the poor and downtrodden , I can allot a few Shekels ( no, not nickels and dimes}, to help you revive FAOL if possible. MY, and I’m sure other’s, help would not be without bounds. A year of concerted effort to wake a few of the “old guard” would tell the tale. Ron Eagle Elk aka REE should immediately be BEGGED to be site administrator . This dude knows his stuff and during his tenure here a “while back” commanded the respect of all who were participating.
In closing , I would suggest that we all, who can remember the “old guard” and may still have means of contact with them, DO contact them and suggest an appearance " for the good times" at least. Perhaps THAT would/could lite the flame.
Here’s hopin !
PS: AND a VERY personal THANK YOU to the fly tiers who have without a doubt been the reason no fork has yet been inserted . And of course to Jim of some kinda rocks :>) who beats everybody to the punch in wishing those eligible a Happy Birthday.
Paul Harvey said it best…“Good Day…”
Mark
So now, since the mason jar is near empty, another thought comes to mind. We can, after contacting a few of “them”, if possible, arrange to have a " re-meet and re-greet" here at some, by all, mutually agreed date and time . If only to say “hi and here’s what I’m up to now”. If this goes nowhere…so be it, but it would be fun IF it is even remotely successful.
Mark
The Chronicler aka- Neil , thank you for all you do…
Rainbow could not agree more with your statement.
I appreciate FAOL for what it represents today and the outlet it never fails to gives me
when my cabin fever sets in… 22days until my State trout opener last saturday of April
can not come soon enough 
but I digress
As one of Our younger lady members says don’t look back your not going that way… so true
Plow forward…
Be well all!
I guess snapchat, twitter, and whatever else is out there is more trendy.
OK Neil…
This IS one of my first sites after the Clearlake forecast site when I get back from my runs at work. EVERY time! Send me an addy…I DO NOT want to lose your site. I seldom post anymore…not sure why, but SURELY DO appreciate all who do. My fingers are NOT sore from pounding keys. Might be from sitting around picking one’s nose.
It sure would be a hoot to travel the U.S. for a year and fish with those still around, but…gotta do Florida and Washington first and the boss STILL wants some hay hauled, and we just aren’t as spry as we used to be, now at 75. Oh well. Still looking DOWN at the grass!
Neil, keep it up…you are doing a GRAND job…
…lee s.
OK, given the remarks made here about the health this site, I went through and counted the names of people who have posted or responded to a post on the site. I counted all those from the beginning of 2020 through 2021. The total came to 84. I must say that is more than I suspected. How many visit the site and never make a comment? No one knows. So, the site is more popular than one may expect. I feel like there are some who were once avid members, but are no longer with us or just lost interest.
As I mentioned in a previous comment, some topic are more popular than others. The Fly Tying section is by far the more popular than the others from what I can assess. Why, because it has more people who make remarks there only and no where else. There are a couple of dozen who post regularly on this site and I thoroughly enjoy their topics and comments. Granted, this information is not scientific, but just an indicator that this site is still pretty popular with many of us and I feel like it is visited by far more than my count shows. So, Neil, whatever your cost are to keep this site up, it is well worth it. Thank you.
Yah … maybe. But can they furl a leader? Tye a caddis? Know how it feels to get a fly stuck in your eyebrow? Huh … I ask you now!
While I think we all agree that this site is not as active as in the past, I still consider everyone here my FAOL friends and internet family. I think that the expansion of the internet, especially Facebook, has had a huge impact on the smaller sites, often at the cost of readership and participation of the smaller, more personal sites. That said, this site has ALWAYS remained courteous, professional and friendly and I learned so much from my extended network of FAOL friends.
Jim Smith
Not always Mr Smith…
But we seemed to always pull through…
I don’t miss the old days as much as I will always long for the renewal of fly-fishing that should come.
My feelings sometimes is that the tranquillity of our sport is being lost with so many other things in these days
of instant gratification and self promotion.
I find it hard to imagine life without daydreaming along the banks of my favorite stream…
I truly hope this site can remain the storage of knowledge for the distant future that it has
demonstrated to be for Us young at heart individuals… ok- old folks with young hearts…
Be safe…
Seems most of the folks from the early days of FAOL have turned into a bunch of old grumpy farts…
Just thought I would stir up the pot a little.
Neil, Thank you for what you have and still are doing for this site. Like many others I feel I have many friends here. I have been a member a long time. Started with my name " Cracker" and changed to Oldster after I needed to rejoin. Can’t remeber why. Oldster fits me better . I’ll be 89 in June. I can still fish a little and I tie a lot. The first thing I usually do when I turn my computer is check out FAOL. Thanks again!
“bunch of old grumpy farts…” Hey I resemble that remark.
As others have commented, I don’t post much but do check-in every day. It’s the only fly fishing forum I use.
I have frequented the Michigan fish in several times but with this Covid thing travel is not happening.