John Shields – Freestone Shuffle

Who I Am

I am a flyfishing, rafting & overland lifestyle advocate.  I am based in Colorado and focus primarily on western US river flyfishing but will fish anywhere and do travel.  I am an avid fly fisherman, guide, volunteer, veteran, overlander, rafter, and family man.

I have been fly fishing over thirty-five years. I learned at Bob’s Fly Shop in Loveland, Colorado which has since closed its doors. I also learned custom rod building and fly tying at Bob’s. I’ve attended St. Peter’s Fly Shop Guide School and many other of their classes.

I am the Program Lead for the Northern Colorado chapter of Project Healing Waters (volunteer/non-profit) where we teach fly-tying, rod building, casting, and on-water fishing to veterans.

What I Can Do for You

Help and/or inform, at least that’s my goal.

I love flyfishing and want to help others to enjoy it as well. I’ll provide instruction, guided/hosted trips, blog posts on relevant topics, video shorts, photographs, and book reviews to help you not waste time and money.

Eventually, I’d like to add a community interaction component that goes beyond the comment and like capabilities currently on my site. Something with real-time interaction where like minded people can exchange ideas, tips, and simply get to know each other with the hopes of getting together out on the water somewhere.

My Mission

At Freestone Shuffle, my mission is to inspire and empower anglers of all levels to explore the art of fly fishing and to seek out new waters and methods to fish them. I am dedicated to sharing authentic experiences, expert knowledge, and a lust for living that connects people with nature and the serenity of fly fishing. Through relatable story-telling, experiences, and a supportive community, I aim to foster a passion for conservation for our outdoor resources, a lifelong love of fly fishing, and a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature.

If I can help you to find the same peace I have when out on the water, even better.