Bend, Oregon Project

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Bend, Oregon Project

Project Mentors

KATE ENG, LEAD MENTOR

Bend, Oregon

Kate grew up hiking and camping in the Colorado Rockies which instilled a lifelong love for the outdoors and a belief in the healing power of nature. You can find Kate fly fishing Oregon rivers even in the winter. A longtime advocate for kids in foster care, Kate has seen how kids benefit by being able to connect to the outdoors. She is ecstatic about sharing her passion for fly fishing with kids through The Mayfly Project.

RYAN JOHNSON, CO-LEAD MENTOR

Redmond, Oregon

Ryan is an Oregon native who learned to fly fish for trout on small spring creeks in Central Oregon. He works as a project manager in the construction industry during the week and as a fly fishing and hunting guide on the weekends. He has had the opportunity to fly fish around the world but still finds himself preferring the solitude and technicality of fly fishing small water in Central Oregon. His enthusiasm for working with teens stems from years of coaching middle school basketball and football which has been incredibly fun and rewarding for him. With Ryan’s passion for the outdoors paired with his coaching experience, he is excited to be able to share all that fly fishing has to offer to Oregon’s youth while serving as a Mayfly Project Mentor.

RICK HOLDEN, MENTOR

Bend, Oregon

Rick grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and spent several years in Atlanta before heading west over 20 years ago. Rick now lives at Lake Tahoe and spends time in Bend, Oregon. He recently took a “permanent sabbatical” from over 25 years in the technology industry so he could spend his time doing what he really loves; fly fishing, biking, camping, traveling, and volunteering. Joining the Mayfly Project has allowed him to combine several of these passions.

CAROLE LIGHTEL, MENTOR

Bend, Oregon

I have fished for years with dad for trout, steelhead, and salmon all over California, Washington & British Columbia.
I am new to fly fishing since moving to Bend in 2020. I love the sport, continually taking classes through Central Oregon Anglers Wild Women of the Water. I want to share the sport with foster kids through the Mayfly Project. I am currently a CASA in Bend and know how much the out of doors, especially fly fishing, has to offer foster kids. I am a retired Army Nurse who served 20 years in Panama, Korea, and all over the US along with my family. A few years as a School Nurse & Girl Scout Leader since retiring taught me how to work & have fun with all ages of kids Here’s to high fives and gleeful laughs of fishing kids!!

ERIKA ORESKOVICH, MENTOR

Bend, Oregon

An Oregon native, Erika started fly fishing in 2014 when she moved to Bend with her husband, who’s a fly-fishing guide. Since then, she’s become addicted to the sport! The thrill of catching and releasing trout is hard to beat, but the surprising gifts have kept her loving it. Lifelong friends, a deep connection to nature, and because she deals with a lot of anxiety, fly fishing allows her to be in the present. Her work history is in outdoor retail shops as a manager and buyer; now, she’s a full-time freelance copywriter for the outdoor industry. Although she doesn’t have children, she has a strong desire to give back through teaching, asking, listening, and being there for kids. Now, let’s go fishing!

GARY HUFFMAN, MENTOR

Bend, Oregon

I have been looking for a volunteer opportunity to give back in some way, sharing in my passion for the outdoors and the many ways in which it has fulfilled my life. I have fished for most my life and now primarily only fly fishing. Having experienced the reward of making a positive impact on kids through years of coaching youth sports, the Mayfly Project seemed like the perfect fit!

THOMAS SHUMAN, MENTOR

Bend, Oregon

An Ohio native. Thomas grew up fishing with various family members. He has lived in Oregon the past 50 years. He currently served as conservation director for Central Oregon Fly Fishers. Learned to tie flies at 10 years old fishing for bluegills and bass in Northeastern Ohio. Began trout fishing when he arrived in Oregon. Retired now from work in the federal government. Half his career was spent in the USFS on various forests in Oregon. Half his career was spent in the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Central and Eastern Oregon. Raised two children, both married and 2 grandchildren living in Arizona now. Looking forward to mentoring for the Bend Oregon Mayfly Project.

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