On “Labor Day”, September 1st, 1997 Fly Angler’s OnLine started on the World Wide Web, with Week #1. Jim & Deanna Birkholm where attempting something new, that had never been done before. Creating a website on Fly Fishing, with the readers becoming the writers. A Website without any advertisement, only Sponsors. And the most amazing of all aspects of this then new enterprise, was that it would be a “Weekly Magazine of Fly Fishing” in all aspects, available to everywhere there was a World Wide Web connection.
I discovered FAOL, during Week #5, and I have been here ever since. My home for everything that I ever need to know about fly fishing and even more!
My how this site has grown over the past twelve years, grown larger than anyone could have imagined back with FAOL was just starting! Jim and Deanna Birkholm, really started a something that many would still say is impossible. Yet twelve years later, this is theirs and our legacy of never saying never to someone’s hopes and dreams.
Thank you FAOL and all who have contributed with their fly fishing knowledge, to this very special site website. Twelve years, in publication, and today is the start of Volume 13 of FAOL!
~Parnelli:) (Chartered Member of “Friends of FAOL!”)
Happy, happy birthday; happy, happy anniversary ! Hadn’t realized I’d been surfing this website all these years until glancing at the password reminder page from 2002…& that was after the desktop when the laptop replaced it. Seems like just yesterday when FAOL & I first went ah-flyfishing together !
This is my “go to” site a couple of times each day. It has been a great source for knowledge and has made me a better fly fisherman and tier. Thanks again for the help and happy anniversary!!!
Thanks FAOL. Greatest site on the web. I’ve been here two times already today, and it’s only 6:35 AM. I’m addicted and I like it.
Thanks again & Happy Anniversary.
Taking a quiet moment to reflect, I can’t tell you how glad I am the Jim and Deanna took the plunge and started this marvellous place. I think about all of the people that I have met because of this place. Some I have only met in cyberspace. Some I have been lucky enough to meet in person. There have been little brookies and Spikeburgers shared in Michigan. There have been 'gills & stocker 'bows shared on the Duck in Tennessee. There have been stories, tall tales, campfire smoke, quiet periods, hatches, cups of coffee, insights, laughs, and smiles shared with a some of you. There are hopes for all that and more, again, with those who are left and hopes to meet others face to face.
I’ll say it every time I get the chance, I learned everything I know about fly tying from here. This is a great site and I hope it lasts for many more years.
Needless to say this is my home page. Before I check anything I browse around here.
Cheers!!
A VERY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FAOL !!!
This sight has been one of the best places for me to wind down after a bad week at work or just to get my fill of fishing when I can’t get out on the water.
