Auburn, Alabama Project

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Auburn, Alabama Project

Project Mentors

JAKE VINCENT, LEAD MENTOR

Auburn, Alabama

Jake grew up in rural northwest Illinois, where his father instilled in him a lifelong love for the outdoors, and fishing. The summers of his youth were filled with wading creeks for smallmouth bass. After high school Jake joined the army, where he worked primarily in logistics before an injury ended this military career. After returning home he studied fisheries biology at Western Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology. Jake now lives in Alabama and works at Auburn University while simultaneously working on his MBA.  He really appreciates Alabama’s aquatic diversity and while not at work he is usually fishing.

KATE WATSON, CO-LEAD MENTOR

Auburn, Alabama

As a former foster parent and adoptive mom, Kate is THRILLED that the Mayfly Project is now represented in Alabama!  WHOOO HOOO!!!!

Originally from Auburn, OH, Kate now lives in Auburn, AL with her husband, two young sons, and 4-legged loves.  Although she does not get on the water to fish nearly as often as she would like, she has a deep understanding of the grounding and healing benefits of fly fishing.  This understanding is based on her personal experiences on the water and seeing it change lives through other fly-fishing centered non-profits she loves like Casting for Recovery, where she serves on the National Board and as a longtime volunteer, and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.

For Kate, being on or in or even just near the water brings her a sense of calm and serenity.  Once she has a rod in her hand it is as if everything else melts away and it is time for her to get lost in the rhythm of casting and enjoying her surroundings, as fish live in beautiful places!  While catching a fish is always nice, Kate celebrates every catch even if it is a leaf, stick, or rock – just grateful for being able to be there.

ROWELL GUEVARRA, MENTOR

Smiths Station, Alabama

 Rowell was raised in California and is an Army Veteran who retired in Alabama after 21 years of service. Through his time in the Army, he developed a strong connection to the outdoors. Rowell loves spending time with his wife LaRee’ and their three children especially sharing time fishing, hunting, hiking and camping. Rowell has fished most his life but was recently introduced to fly fishing through Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. He volunteers running their social media and assists in organizing their events. The discovery of the healing properties and serenity that fly fishing offers has changed his life. After retiring from the military, Rowell is excited to continue to serve as a mentor in the Alabama Mayfly Project!

SARAH KNIGHT, MENTOR

Atlanta, Georgia

Sarah was raised way down yonder on the Chattahoochee in Columbus, GA. She was lucky to have 2 grandfathers who loved to fish. One took her to the lakes and mountains and taught her to fish on a cane pole with a bucket of worms. The other loved the beach and put a spin rod in her hands. It wasn’t until Sarah started spending her summers off from teaching in Jackson Hole, WY when a close friend showed her a fly rod and she was hooked. She eventually moved out west permanently and her passion for fly fishing grew. Since moving back to the south, Sarah wanted to put her two passions together: fly fishing and teaching. She is grateful for this opportunity and looks forward to meeting some great kids and teaching them all about fly fishing.

CHRISTOPHER “MURPH” MURPHY, MENTOR

Columbus, Georgia

When asked I will say that I am from Texas- but the truth is that I lived in several states before I ever resided Texas.   I’m lucky to have a family that taught me to fish at an early age- first in the Rocky Mountains and then along the Texas Coast.  After attending Texas State, I joined the Army, which brought me to Georgia and the banks of the Chattahoochee where I now live with my wife and son. I was introduced to fly fishing through various veteran’s outreach groups and quickly learned the physical, spiritual, and psychological benefits of fly fishing and angling. I was once asked what fly fishing meant to me and this was the best, I could explain it: “My troubles flow downstream with the water- the stress, the physical and mental ache, the things there are no words for- they all drift away.  It is renewal and creates a resiliency in me that few other things can.  it is about the people, the places, the discoveries and sometimes the fish too…” It is this world that I hope to share with others- and in turn hope they see it the way that I do.

LAURA “SCOUT” DAVIS, MENTOR

Columbus, Georgia

My name is Laura but everyone calls me Scout. I am from Vienna, GA, but I am currently a senior at Auburn University studying finance. In my free time, I love spending time outdoors. I am passionate about fly fishing, riding horses, and playing tennis. I have also recently learned how to tie flies. My dad got me into fly fishing when I was about 12, and I have loved it ever since. I caught my first trout on the Tuckaseegee River in North Carolina on a fly rod and I have been hooked to this day.

DREW MORGAN, MENTOR

Auburn, Alabama

Drew’s passion for using fly rods to chase warm water species, especially bass, began when fishing the creeks and rivers of South Alabama as a kid. Growing up he was always playing and fishing in creeks…and now does the same in the East/Central region of Alabama.

When he moved to Auburn, Alabama for school, he began to discover the incredible bass fisheries in the piedmont regions of Alabama. After college he started teaching high school and conveniently had summer vacation to spend fishing the region. After years of fishing, East Alabama Fly Fishing was born out of a desire to help others learn to fly fish for bass, as well as network with other anglers who enjoy using fly rods.

Drew’s guiding expertise includes the Tallapoosa River and it’s tributaries out of a drift boat. His favorite species to fish for is the venerable Redeye Bass.

DAVE WEAKLEY, MENTOR

Valley, Alabama

Dave grew up exploring the creeks of southeast Alabama. This is where his love of fishing first took root. Once he discovered fly fishing, a passion turned into an obsession. After a fishing trip to Alaska, he developed a love of wild native fish. Since then he has dedicated much of his time to exporting the back country streams of Alabama searching out native warm water species. His favorite fish to target is the redeye bass.

ROBIN SIMMS, MENTOR

Millbrook, Alabama

Robin grew up in a family of avid anglers and boatmen. As a kid she would spend several weekends on the waters of the Tallapoosa and the Chattahoochee Rivers examining fish her parents caught or exploring the woods and shorelines. Robin’s love of adventure and water led her out West for about 14 years to Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and Canada with various work opportunities. She started off as a rafting guide on the Arkansas River in CO and eventually worked my way up to the Alaskan rivers around Haines and Skagway. In that mix, Robin worked several season with Washington DF&W in the Columbia River basin on wild Steelhead studies and Alaska DF&G in a remote field camp for a Salmon telemetry project on the Susitna River.

After having her little girl, Ruby, she spent her final 2 years out west exploring the Canadian Rockies and rivers with her and finishing her Business degree in Calgary, Alberta Canada.

They made a big move back to the south to be close to family and she was Introduced to PHWFF by fellow rafting and fishing guide Drew Morgan with East Alabama Fly Fishing. Robin’s sister and her teamed up with Drew in 2017 to screenprint Bass Bash apparel to benefit PHWFF and help raise awareness to the amazing fishing and recreational opportunities on the Tallapoosa River. She has been a volunteer for guiding a raft of PHWFF veterans down the river and screen printing event t shirts and hats each year since.

Most of her time is now spent as a Corporate Organizational Development Manager for a HR and Staffing Firm. She fills in the the free moments as a Girl Scout troop leader nurturing kids love of outdoor adventures and nature with rafting trips and campouts. Robin’s favorite place to be has made a full circle in life back to the Tallapoosa River and the shores of Lake Martin with her little family Jason, Ruby, and Nova.”

JESSICA GILPIN, MENTOR

Auburn, Alabama

Dr. Jess fished with her father when she was a young girl growing up in New York. She always enjoyed the great outdoors and connecting with nature. This connection led her to a bachelors degree in biology from Fairfield University and then a doctoral degree in marine biology from Auburn University (AU). She also discovered a passion for informal STEM education, which led to her current position as the Assistant Director of the AU COSAM STEM Outreach Center.
Dr. Jess was introduced to fly fishing by her husband who she met at AU. She instantly fell in love with the calming rhythm of casting and thrill of finding fish havens. She is thrilled to be a mentor with the Auburn Mayfly Project and to share her passion for the natural world!

DUSTIN MCKEE, MENTOR

Auburn, Alabama

Raised in Southwest Missouri, Dustin grew up spending every moment possible in nature. His grandfather would take him hunting and fishing and taught him the art of cutting firewood, which all led to a great respect and love of the outdoors. This dedication to the natural world led Dustin to get a bachelor’s degree in marine biology and a master’s degree in fisheries biology both from Auburn University. During his master’s research he connected with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, which is geared toward getting veterans out on the water. An Army veteran himself, he has grown to love fly fishing and is currently the casting instructor for the Auburn program. He has even showed his beautiful wife, Dr. Jess, the joy of fly fishing.

CARLOS HERNANDEZ, MENTOR

Auburn, Alabama

I have been fishing for at least 15 years. I got my start in fishing in the waters at Corpus Christi, TX. Since then I have fished in freshwater and saltwater for various species. I recently got into fly fishing about 2 years ago and learned how to cast, build flies, and build rods. I am currently building various different rods for different purposes. I have been interested in helping those in the foster system rather it is through volunteering or fostering. A couple of years ago I did foster 3 children but they just ended up back in the system.

COLE BEDICS, MENTOR

Auburn, Alabama

I grew up in Alabama small creek fishing for redeye bass. I have also had the opportunity to work and fish in West Yellowstone, and am hoping to get my guide license next summer. I am currently an ecology engineering student at Auburn University, and I spend off days getting out onto the beautiful Tallapoosa shoals. Fishing was a gift given to me by great people who wanted to share their passion and I want nothing more than to pay that forward. I am very excited to be a mentor for the Auburn, Alabama Mayfly Projects 2024 spring season!

DAVID SCHLUETER, MENTOR

Smiths Station, Alabama

I started fly fishing before I joined the Army in the 90s. During my time in the military, I was stationed around the world and deployed to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once. I also received two Purple Heart Medals. Unfortunately, it was difficult to continue fly fishing while I was serving. After being medically retired in 2019, I got back into it.
Currently, I volunteer with the DAV, participate in Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing and the OARS Foundation. I’ve been married for 21 years and have two sons, ages 19 and 17. One is in college and the other is a senior in high school. I have a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in human resources management.

TEDDY GUEVARRA, MENTOR

As a child, Teddy enjoyed catching small catfish in her backyard in Phenix City, AL. She broke her long hiatus from fishing and caught her first fish on a fly rod in the Summer of 2024. Since then, she’s been practicing and fishing at every opportunity, with guidance from her father Rowell. A senior at Auburn University, Teddy is majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Italian Studies. She is passionate about conservation, learning about nature, and spending time outdoors– even if it’s just taking her cat, Hazel, on a walk with her husband, Brantley.

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