Kaitlin joined the Westbrooks’ in April, 2016 and helped co-found The Mayfly Project, National Program. With over 20 years serving in the mental health field with children in foster care and youth with therapeutic needs, she understands the needs of this population, as well as the benefits of fly fishing for the kids we mentor. Beyond her work with TMP, Kaitlin is wife and a mother to three wonderful children, an outdoor writer, and is known for hauling her family fishing year-around. She is thankful to live in North Idaho, surrounded by her favorite outdoor places, friends, and family.

Debbie has been with TMP since the beginning, helping them grow, organize mentor teams, conduct mentor interviews and she is in charge of all of the gear and shipping. She is a retired school counselor, loving Grandmother, and has a passion for helping others!

Joanna Ashley lives in Benton, Arkansas, close to Jess and Mrs. Debbie! Joanna grew up in Missoula, MT but now lives in Arkansas with her husband and 4 kids. She works in the school district, specifically working with kids with special needs and is a reading tutor. She’s an avid baseball fan and most of her spare time is spent at her kid’s sports events or swimming and kayaking with her family. Joanna is going to be taking over mentor interview calls, helping organize project teams, helping us capture project pictures and stories, and organize our national fundraisers!

When my husband and I were first married, we often fished the river behind our house. He introduced me to fly fishing, and after some initial growing pains, I fell in love with the sport. There’s something about standing in the river, fully immersed in nature, that is both healing and inspiring. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to fly fish across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Scotland in both freshwater and saltwater.

I’m an active member of Trout Unlimited, Ohio Women on the Fly, and Central Ohio Fly Fishers. I’ve also spent years volunteering with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing in Columbus, supporting veterans through fly fishing.

I’m excited to continue sharing my passion for fly fishing and the outdoors with the youth of The Mayfly Project, helping to introduce them to the water, the fish, and the sense of peace that comes with it.

After a 20 year career in insurance, Kate changed course and became an advocate for children in foster care and continues to work in this field.  Kate grew up in Colorado where she was introduced as a child to fishing—-but she didn’t like it!  Fast forward many years later, Kate noticed a fly casting class offered by Braided, a local women’s fly fishing group.  Kate signed up and as the saying goes, was hooked.  She now fishes year round and recently became a certified angling instructor with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.   It was at a Braided meeting that Kate heard about The Mayfly Presentation.  After listening to Kaitlyn talk about mentoring kids in foster care through fly fishing, Kate told her Braided friends “teach me to fish so I can be involved with The Mayfly Project.”  Kate volunteered for The Mayfly Project shortly after moving to Bend, Oregon in 2019 and became the Lead Mentor in 2022.  For her, Mayfly is a perfect fit,  combining her joy of working with foster youth and her passion for fly fishing.  When she’s not fishing the crystal clear rivers of central Oregon, you will find her mountain or gravel biking, paddle boarding, or exploring the Pacific Northwest.