Fly fishing is meditative and the experience of watching a fly or indicator provides a “safe” opportunity for our young people to focus, tune-out, forget for a few moments and quiet the outside noise. Learning to fly fish can also be empowering for a young person–they develop a skill that they are often anxious to share with others–this can be an opportunity for a foster child to gain confidence, build relationships with others and share their passion.
Louisville, Kentucky Project
Lead Mentor: Sean Pfeifer
Project location: Louisville, KY
Year project founded: 2019
Mentors on this team: 17
Children mentored to date: 14
Children to be mentored in 2023: 8
Local foster care partners: This worked with Mary Hurst Group Home in 2019 and are looking to broaden our foster partners in 2021 to support more children in foster care.
Local companies that support this project: Derby City Fly Fishers (DCFF). They have been instrumental in helping us to find mentors and they have been supportive of every effort we have brought to the table. I simply cannot say enough nice things about them and their willingness to lean into our vision.
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Louisville, Kentucky Project
We get to show our kids that we care–that we will invest the time and effort to get to learn with them, and that our rivers and lakes are for them, not just a privileged few.
Project Mentors
JOHN FROEHLICH, MENTOR
Louisville, Kentucky
I am a “seasoned” fly fisher and have been married to my beautiful Liz for 56 years. Have lived in various cities and Louisville is now my permanent home. I served in the United States Marine Corp and have worked with young people professionally and as volunteer most of my adult life, Executive Director with Junior Achievement, TWO Youth Theatre, Cub Master and Assistant Scout Leader with Boy Scouts, and employed many highschoolers as owner of a Dunkin Donuts Franchisee. I have had the pleasure if fishing in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Michigan, Colorado, South Carolina, Minnesota and Wyoming. As a member of Derby City Flyfiahers and Northern Kentucky Flyfishers, I am excited to be a part of The Mayfly Project.
KELLY GAIN PARKER, MENTOR
Louisville, Kentucky
I enjoy the outdoors and working with people of all ages, so this mentoring project will be a good fit for me. I’ve been married to my husband Michael [also a Mayfly Project Mentor] for over twenty years. I lived in Louisville some twenty years ago for eighteen years and recentlty moved back to the area. For the last twenty years I have been employed as a Realtor, a position that I currently hold with Semonin Realtors.
MIKE PARKER, MENTOR
Louisville, Kentucky
I’ve been married to my wife Kelly [also a Mayfly Project Mentor] for over twenty years. For the last twenty years I was a full-time fly fishing guide both in Az. and Ca. I’ve worked with guests from 7 -90 years of age and especially enjoy teaching beginners the sport of fly fishing.
TOMMY MULLINS, MENTOR
Owensboro, Kentucky
US Army Veteran, and retired from Verizon after 30 years of service as a Telecommunications Engineer. Proud Father of three, who continue to carry on with our family heritage of Military Service. Growing up in the hills of Southeastern Kentucky, my Father would often take me hunting, fishing, and anything outdoors, which became a lifelong passion! Owensboro, Kentucky has been my home for the past 21 years, and I’m looking forward to serving along side other Mentors whose passion is to encourage, and change lives!
WILLIAM CRABTREE, MENTOR
La Grange, Kentucky
A Kentucky native that learned to fish with grandfather before I elementary school. Transitioned from farm ponds and lakes to stream fishing in the 70’s. Started occasional fly fishing in the 80’s. Joined the local fly-fishing club several years ago and have become an avid fly fisher. I continue to enjoy fishing (all types), canoeing and camping. Annually, I make a fishing trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota and multiple fly-fishing trips to other states in the Midwest. As I begin to wind down my work career and start retirement, I started volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity, Casting for Recovery, & The Mayfly project. I plan to make fly fishing trips to western states, Alaska and internationally.
SEAN PFEIFER, MENTOR
Louisville, Kentucky
I am a lifelong outdoor enthusiast. I began fly fishing 3 years ago when I found a $30 rod kit at a local sporting goods store.
My wife Lori and I have been married for 23 years. We have one son, Tyler, who was adopted from foster care.
I am a special education teacher beginning my 19th year in the classroom.
News & Events
A closer look at the Roanoke, Virginia project impact!
Scott Barrier, the lead mentor for the Roanoke, Virginia project, talks with News10 about the benefits and lasting impact fly fishing can have on foster youth. Scott and the amazing mentors in Roanoke are doing amazing work! Check out the article and video below!...
Clean Up from Hurricane Helene, Mentor Highlight!
We’re honored to highlight one of our mentors who is not only a huge asset to TMP in Boone, North Carolina, but has been a hero in her community during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, 2024. Her name is Kelly McCoy—she is known in her community as the ‘Rivergirl’—a...
Bureau of Reclamation Partnership!
Our TMP projects in Medford and Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Hayden, Idaho partnered with the Bureau of Reclamation, (Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region and the California Great Basin Region), and their Fish-ABLE Fun program this summer! The Fish-ABLE program is designed...
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Louisville, Kentucky Project
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