John Shank — Owner and Head Guide
From an early age, I’ve always been attracted to the water and the creatures that inhabit it. I grew up fishing the Texas coast and spent extensive time fly fishing in The Texas Hill Country. I now live along the banks of The Guadalupe River with my love, Kelli, who also guides with me. Throughout the years I have fished all over the United States and internationally. 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 Trout was in the net. Needless to say, I was hooked. I remember the guide joking that I was jinxed but maybe it was a sign of things to come.
Over 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 wouldn’t be where I am today. That is my biggest motivation in guiding: to share the feeling I get from being on the water 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. If you’ve scrolled through the pictures on this website you can probably tell I enjoy the challenge of chasing big fish, maybe a little more than 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.
Guiding or fishing on my own, I am grateful to spend over 300 days a year on the water. From knowledge and preparation to equipment and attention to detail, I will not be outworked. Whether a beginner’s first time fly fishing or an experienced angler looking for the fish of a lifetime, my goal is to maximize my client’s time on the water and help them become better anglers. I am confident you will not find a better guided fly fishing experience in the Texas Hill Country. I look forward to the opportunity to share my passion with you.
Sincerely,
John
Kelli Prescott — Owner and Guide
I have always loved the outdoors. From a young age my dad took me hunting and fishing and taught me what it meant to co-exist with nature. He taught me that time on the water teaches more than just about the fish themselves; the water teaches patience, dedication and purpose.
In my late high school years, those passions would re-emerge stronger than ever. I started to reconnect with my love for the outdoors and began spending every bit of my free time on the water. Soon after I would pick up a fly rod for the first time. I didn’t know then, but that fly rod would take me on a journey that would change the course of my life for the better.
In my early twenties I began to really invest myself in my new hobby. Whether I was casting in the backyard, or stomping around bayous with my chef friends, whenever I had a fly rod in my hand, I felt unstoppable. After spending years in the restaurant and brewery industry, I realized my only true happiness came when I left that behind and was on the water. So I left the industry for good, I removed alcohol from my life, and never looked back. I landed a Food Editor position at Tail Fly Fishing Magazine and met the man of my dreams.
John and I met and hit it off immediately. Soon after, all of my weekends were spent with him on the river. At this point, I thought I was a great fly angler, but he told me, “you’re gonna have to step it up.” So I did. I learned to bomb casts and fish with tenacity, he taught me how to be the best angler I could be, and then some. I learned to always push myself further, and never accept being “ok” or “good” or even “great.” I learned to never stop until I achieve my absolute best.
John and I have traveled all over the states to fly fish together. From the West Coast chasing Tuna, Mahi and Yellowtail — to the East Coast, full sending on Stripers, Specs and Bluefish — and to the Gulf Coast, sight fishing Drum, Tarpon and Jacks. We live for the next long shot, the next hard hitting fish, and for the next challenge on the water.
We live on the river together and are lucky to have each other. Becoming a guide with John has been the favorite part of my life so far. We constantly are pushing each other to to be the best guides of our fisheries, and always have one another’s back.
I am truly passionate about guiding and sharing what I love so much about fishing with others. My goal is to teach clients and to create memories that last a lifetime. The way I see it, if I can change one persons outlook on life, through a little bit of time on the water — I’ve done my job. Sure, I love to help my clients catch the biggest, baddest fish in the river — but I’m even more determined to create an experience for them that goes far beyond fishing. Fly-fishing is truly a game changer, it is an eye-opening experience that can teach you things you never knew about yourself. For me, it has improved all other aspects of my life. I’m so glad, and so blessed to be able to share that with others. I look forward to getting on the water with you.
Best,
Kelli