Introduction to Fly Fishing Lesson

Interests: All ages and skill levels welcome. I enjoy working with kids, beginners and experienced anglers alike! We provide all equipment including high quality fly rods, beverages on all trips and lunch on Full Days.

Bio: From an early age, I’ve always been attracted to the water and the creatures that inhabit it. I grew up fishing conventional tackle on the Texas coast and spent extensive time fly-fishing for Bass and Trout on the Guadalupe River. Throughout the years I have fished all over the United States and internationally in Mexico and Belize. My first experience with fly-fishing came when I was 12 years old. A friend’s family invited me to Colorado where we did several days of guided fishing. The first day the guide handed me a rod and explained the basics of casting/indicator nymphing. As we left the ramp, the guide told me to make a few practice casts. On my very first drift, my indicator twitched. I knew what to do when a “bobber” went under and I set the hook. A minute or two later a 22in Brown was in the net. Needless to say, I was hooked. I remember the guide joking that I was jinxed, but I thought to myself that it was a sign of things to come. Almost 20 years later, the meaning of fly fishing in my life has changed. It has taken me to beautiful places, introduced me to amazing people and had a much greater impact on my life than I ever could have anticipated. Fly fishing has been instrumental in helping me deal with some of my own personal struggles and without it I don’t know where I would be today. That is my biggest motivation in guiding: to share the joy and peace I get from being on the water out in nature to impact other people’s lives for the better. I am blessed to have turned a passion into a career that allows me to share the experience and knowledge I’ve gained over the years with others. I love catching big fish just as much as the next guy but fly fishing is by far the best therapy I’ve ever done and that’s the aspect of the sport that has me hooked. I look forward to the opportunity to share my passion with you! Sincerely, John Shank - Owner and Head Guide of Lone Star Fly Fishing LLC