This was the funnest day I’ve ever had in my life!
Anchorage, Alaska Project
Lead mentor: Anna Petersen
Co-Lead mentor: Alexa Millward
Project location: Anchorage, Alaska
Year project founded: 2024
Mentors on this team: 12
Children to be mentored in 2025: 5-10
Local foster care partners: Currently looking for partners!
Local companies that support this project: Trout Unlimited Alaska
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Anchorage, Alaska Project
We are participating in this program because we want to give youth in foster care a chance to learn new skills that can help create a deeper connection with the outdoors, build confidence, and create community. Being able to have an outdoor hobby in Alaska is essential for enjoying what Alaska has to offer. We hope through this program that we can instill new skills and passions through fly-fishing.
Project Mentors
ANNA PETERSEN, LEAD MENTOR
Born and raised in Alaska, being outside has been an important part of my life. As the Education Coordinator for Trout Unlimited Alaska, I have been working towards inspiring people to be outside and learn about how we can make positive impacts on our environment. Currently I am working on my master’s in outdoor and environmental education, and I have experience with working with younger students to get outside and inspire curiosity from the world around them. I am excited to bring the Mayfly Project to Alaska and inspire more kids to get outside and create everlasting memories.
ALEXA MILLWARD, CO-LEAD MENTOR
Originally from Idaho, I made my way north attending school in Missoula, MT where I was first introduced to the Mayfly Project. At the time I discovered the Mayfly Project, I was in the process of moving even further north all the way up to Alaska and is where I reside now. I have spent the last 5 years as fishing guide on the Kenai, River and I am now currently work for Trout Unlimited as their Kenai Engagement Coordinator. Through out my time in Montana and Alaska, the Mayfly Project had always stuck with me as it combined my passion for fly- fishing, teaching, and making the outdoors accessible for all! 5 years later here we are, I am so excited to be setting out on my goal and bringing the Mayfly Project to Alaska at last!
AMANDA REYNOLDS, MENTOR
A Gilroy, California native, Amanda grew up exploring the outdoors and fishing with her parents. As of 2020 Amanda has found her long-time home base in Alaska, and enjoys all things outdoors, especially fly fishing. With a teaching and tutoring background, Amanda is excited to share her love of the outdoors and being out on the water with others in the Anchorage Alaska Mayfly Project.
KEVIN DUFFIE, MENTOR
Hailing from Michigan, Kevin learned how to fool urban trout into taking a delicate dry fly presentation as it drifts gently past a tire or shopping cart. Five days after graduating from Michigan State University in 2022, he moved up to Alaska for an internship conducting stream-side education. Three years later you can still find Kevin pursuing the same illusive quarry, just now he drifts an indicator rig on the Kenai River. Having spent time working in formal education and environmental conservation, Kevin finds his happy place passing on what he knows about ethical angling to anyone who will listen!
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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Anchorage, Alaska Project
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