MHTU June General Membership Meeting - Special Guest: John Shaner

John Shaner angling historian, collector of fly tackle, angling literature, and fly tyer will discuss the evolution of wet flies and wet fly fishing. 

The gift of a fly-tying kit when he was eight set John Shaner on the road to becoming a fly tyer.

Catskill style dry flies were his first interest, but in the past 25 years his focus has been on British wet flies.  

John developed a profound interest in “Spiders”, which Americans call “Soft Hackles”, and he enjoys tying and fishing these simple, elegant, effective flies.

Another of John’s passions is collecting classic fly tackle and angling books. His angling library contains over 2000 books and publications dating back to the 18th century.

Most of his working career has been spent in the fly-fishing business as fly shop manager, guide, sales representative for Orvis and Cortland, and Hardy of Alnwick, England. John retired in 2021 to devote more time to fishing, travel, and his collections.  

John is a member of The Anglers’ Club of New York, The Fly Fishers’ Club of London, The Theodore Gordon Fly Fishers, The Fly Fishers’ Club of Harrisburg, Trout Unlimited, and the IFFF. He also serves as a Trustee of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum. 

He currently lives in Deposit, NY, just a short cast from some of his favorite rivers.