“I can’t wait to show everyone the pictures of the fish I caught!” 

TMP Mentee

The Mayfly Project

Atlanta, Georgia Project

Project Lead Mentor: Jim Harvey

Project Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Year Project Founded: 2020

Mentors on this team: 19

Children mentored to date: 4

Children to be mentored in 2024: 10

Local foster care partners: Chosen for Life Ministries

Local companies that support this project: The Fish Hawk, Fly Shop Atlanta GA / Unicoi Outfitters, Fly Shop Helen, GA, and searching for local partnerships for 2023.

Contact us about this project: harveyjl@bellsouth.net

 

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Atlanta, Georgia Project

My favorite saying is, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”  We have many of those moments in fly fishing.  This is one of the many reasons why foster children would benefit from learning about the sport.

Jim Harvey

Lead Mentor, Atlanta, Georgia Project

Project Mentors

JIM HARVEY, LEAD MENTOR

Marietta, Georgia

Jim is a retired retained executive search consultant with experience in a wide range of industries and functional areas. During the last 17 years of his career, he was a Director with Stanton Chase International where he functioned as a generalist with a concentration in the manufacturing, logistics and transportation industries.

A native of Pennsylvania who has made Marietta, Georgia his home since 1978, Jim has been an avid fly fisher for over 50 years.  A FFF Certified Casting Instructor since 2006, he has fished fresh and saltwater destinations from Alaska to Belize.  He is a past president of the Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the largest chapter of TU in Georgia with over 850 members, and is currently Executive Vice President.  He also volunteered for four years as Program Chair for the Atlanta Fly Fishing Club, the local FFF affiliate.    

One of his passions is sharing his enthusiasm for fly fishing with others.  For a number of years, he has led the UCCTU sponsored Rizzio Fly Fishing and Conservation Clinic for boys and girls from ages 10 to 15, as well as fly fishing clinics for women each fall.  He also volunteers his time providing one-on-one casting lessons as a fundraiser for UCCTU.         

TYLER MOON, MENTOR

Woodstock, Georgia

My fishing journey began just three years after I was born in Cumming, GA. I started out catching small bluegill and slowly worked my way up to bass. Because there aren’t many streams near my house, I didn’t grow up fly fishing but 13 years later my dad put a fly rod in my hand. I didn’t get the hang of it at first. Now at the age of 17 I feel proficient, but I realize there is so much more to learn. I look forward to volunteering for the Mayfly Project and obtaining guiding experience while having fun and mentoring others. I hope to transfer the beautiful art of fly fishing to someone else.

SARAH BAKER, MENTOR

Athens, Georgia

Sarah was born and raised in Idaho and spent most of her childhood hiking under Tamaracks and through fields of wildflowers. Now, she hikes under hemlocks and through rhododendron in north Georgia. She absolutely loves being outside with her husband and enjoys running, hiking, backpacking, hunting, and of course, fishing! She has fallen in love with Georgia’s Brook Trout Mountain streams and flings flies into them every Saturday that she can! She greatly enjoys sharing with others about fly-fishing, and the tranquility that it brings.

STEPHEN TOMASOVICH aka “BIG T”, MENTOR

Clarksville, Georgia

Fishing was a passion of mine from an early age before becoming an obsession and later a career. After 20 plus years in the financial services industry I made the transition into guiding and ultimately opening a fly shop. I am a rare Atlanta native and now live in the North Georgia mountains on the Soque River in Clarkesville.

EMALY RIVERA, MENTOR

Born and raised in north Georgia; Fishing has always been a part of Emaly’s life, thanks to her dad, who could be found fishing for catfish in the local pond or salmon in Alaskan waters. She is passionate about empowering other women to pursue fly fishing, and excited to use her training and development background as a mentor for TMP.

AMY COTTRELL, MENTOR

I grew up spin casting for pike, perch, and smallmouth in Wisconsin, but didn’t get into fly fishing until I moved to Alabama in 2016. It was over for me when I learned species other than trout were catchable on the fly. Fly fishing central Georgia rivers (and farm ponds) quickly became a necessity for me and I get on the water whenever I can.
Sharing experiences with a fly rod in hand is an incredible way to connect with each other and the landscape we are a part of. I can’t wait to introduce others to the beauty and grace of Georgia waters.

News & Events

We’re Thankful for YOU!

We’re Thankful for YOU!

As the founders of The Mayfly Project, our belief in the power of fly fishing and mentorship grows exponentially every season because of the wonderful leads and mentors joining our teams. The village of TMP is held together by our leads and mentors who make the time...

Virginia Department of Wildlife Services Support!

Virginia Department of Wildlife Services Support!

Our Virginia Projects were thrilled to receive grant support from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources this season! Because of their generosity, we were able to introduce fly fishing, teach our conservation initiative, and make the outdoors more accessible...

Annual Buy a Fly Fundraiser is Live!!!

Annual Buy a Fly Fundraiser is Live!!!

Join us for our Annual Buy a Fly Online Fundraiser !!! From Sep 29th to Oct 31st, purchase a fly/flies and receive free chances to win awesome prizes! Purchase Options: Select the item you would like to try to win and then purchase the flies associated with that...

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Atlanta, Georgia Project

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