Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Project

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Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Project

Project Mentors

WAYNE WAKKINEN, LEAD MENTOR

Couer d’Alene, Idaho

Wayne was introduced to fly fishing by his grandfather while on a trip to an alpine lake in Colorado. Large cutthroat were cruising the shoreline along snowbanks during the 4th of July weekend and it was exciting to see them accelerate toward the fly in the crystal clear water. He’s been hooked ever since. He’s shared his passion for fly fishing with family and friends over the years, and now he feels it’s time to share that passion with foster kids and help introduce them to the wonderful outdoor world of northern Idaho.

KAITLIN BARNHART, TMP CO-FOUNDER

Athol, Idaho

PHIL BIGGERSTAFF 

Couer d’Alene, Idaho

Phil was born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho. He has been married for 17 years to his wife, Shawna, and they have a 17 year old son and a 7 year old daughter. Although raised in a generally non fishing family, Phil’s love of fishing started with fond memories trolling for Kokanee with his grandfather on lake Pend Orielle. Then, then once his mother’s boyfriend introduced him to his outdoorsy family, Phil learned how to hunt, hike, be a man, and most importantly, how to fish!

“I didn’t know it at the time, but a developing child, especially a teenager is dramatically shaped by their environment and those around them.  I fell in love with fishing, head over heels from the beginning. I dabbled in fly fishing but was not serious about it until about ten years ago. I want to show young people not just fishing, but living life outdoors is the most fun. Other than fishing, I enjoy woodworking, astrology, talking philosophy, taking Krav Maga classes, coaching my son’s football team and chilling with the family, ” Phil said.

Phil is currently working at Stancraft wood boats as the restoration manager, for the last 6 years. Prior to that, he was a chef for ten years. His favorite fish to target is Pike on the fly!

ERIC BARNHART

Athol, Idaho

DANIELLE THOLL

Sandpoint, Idaho

Danielle is from Michigan and has lived in North Idaho for 4 years. She is an optometrist by trade and when she is not at work she is found hiking all through the Pacific North West, skiing all winter, and fly fishing with her pup, Alma, every chance she can get. Danielle has been a mentor since 2016 and enjoys encouraging others to get outdoors.

MATHEW LAWRENCE

Sandpoint, Idaho

I love anything that is active and outdoors but fishing has always held my heart the most. Coming from an underprivileged home, fishing became my escape at a young age and has continued to fuel an unexplainable passion. Helping kids in need is also something I hold dear to my heart as I know without the help of my community around me I would not be the person I am today. I hope to be able to give as many kids as possible an escape in the way of fishing and show them they don’t have to have the same hobbies and follow the path of those around them.

KYLA KULP

Sagle, Idaho

Kyla is a huge asset for North Idaho TMP–she is an amazing photographer and always shows up to help us with last minute details and capture some special moments. We print most of the pictures she takes and gift them to the children we work with so they can remember their favorite day fishing and brag about the fish they catch. When Kyla is not taking pictures she is hiking with her little family, spending time outdoors, or doing art. 

TAG JACKLIN

Couer d’Alene, Idaho

Tag grew up in Post Falls, Idaho and has been an avid fly fisherman his whole life thanks to his parents’ passion for fishing. After spending nine years in the Seattle, Tag and his wife Tiffany moved back to Idaho in 2016. They have a one-year old son who Tag can’t wait to introduce to fishing. When not on the water, Tag enjoys skiing, hiking and bird hunting. 

JESS LINDGREN

Sandpoint, Idaho

Jess grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho, and spent her childhood summers in Iliamna, Alaska at her family’s sport fishing lodge, Bristol Bay Sport Fishing. Jess has been fly fishing for over 25 years, was a guide in Alaska, and now enjoys spending time on home waters in North Idaho with her family and friends. Jess has a degree in communications and assists the National TMP Program, processing applications, and is thankful to be a part of the TMP Fly Fishing Family!

TAMI DANIELS

Spirit Lake, Idaho

Hello! My name is Tami Daniels. I have grown up fishing but with bait
and lures. I am fairly new to fly fishing and I am learning all of the
time and enjoy sharing this fun hobby and teaching beginners because it
is still so fresh for me. It keeps me on my toes. I enjoy spending my
time outside. If I am not fishing, I am riding my horse or gardening.

FRANK WAKLEY

Sagle, Idaho

Frank Wakeley was Born in Auburn New York on July 11, 1946 and has been an Idaho resident for 50 years. Currently is a retired civil engineer and professional Builder. I have been an avid fly fisherman since a young child having been taught how to tie a fly on the end of a tippet and present it to a hungry trout by both my father and grandfather. As an adult, I learned to tie my own flies and enjoy sharing them with fellow fisherman. I have been a Trout Unlimited member for more than 20 years and now happy to be involved with the Mayfly Project.

DIANE WAKKINEN

Couer d’Alene, Idaho

Diane grew up in Michigan and learned about fishing, which typically involved dropping a line over the side of a boat, during summers spent on Lake Huron. Diane didn’t experience fly-fishing until many years later when she was introduced to it by her fly-fishing enthusiast husband, Wayne. A self-described beginner, she enjoys the challenge that fishing while wading presents and the solitude walking in a stream can offer. Diane looks forward to using her prior experience working with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and her love of everything outdoors along with a compassion to make a difference in the lives of kids in foster care.

JACKSON MOORE, MENTOR

Spokane, Washington

Born and Raised in Spokane, Washington, Jackson developed a passion for the outdoors and wildlife at a young age. He has worked with children for many years through coaching youth soccer and working at the Shriners Hospital for Children in downtown Spokane. Jackson is now looking forward to passing on his passion for fly fishing and wildlife as a mentor for the Coeur d’Alene project.

Bo grew up spin fishing with his dad in the Sierra Mountain lakes and rivers in California. As an adult, he moved to Coeur D Alene Idaho with his family and picked up fly fishing. Since then, he enjoys the local rivers and frequents NE Montana rivers to feed his love of all things fly fishing. Fly tying has become a labor of love and the exhilaration he gets from netting trout on his own flies is bliss. Learning to row his raft while helping friends and family land fish is his newest challenge. Bo coached young kids in baseball and soccer for many years and as a registered nurse, he has the compassion to help others. With his passion and his love for fly fishing, he is excited to be a mentor in the Coeur D Alene Mayfly Project.

EVAN LEWIS, MENTOR

Evan has spent most of his life in Colorado and Ohio where you could generally find him playing basketball, running marathons, hiking 14,000 foot mountains, cycling around Denver and Boulder, or snowboarding in the Rockies. He was introduced to the world of fly fishing in 2021 with a first experience on the beautiful Weber River near Park City, Utah. Despite not catching any fish, he was hooked (sorry, had to do it)! Since that time, he has predominantly fished the front range of Colorado with a few trips west to Gold Water stretches of the Gunnison and Colorado river. His pursuit of the outdoors led him to North Idaho in late 2022 and he’s looking forward to settling into his role as a mentor for the Coeur d’Alene Mayfly Project!

EMILY SKINNER, MENTOR

Emily lives in Idaho with her husband and four kids. Fishing was always in her blood, but mostly with worms and bait. At a young age, Emily and her mom caught a 3 pound rainbow trout, and so it all began. Although she grew up with her moms amazing sense of adventure, it wasn’t until Emily had kids that she fell in love with fly fishing. In a season that could be chaotic, fishing was what helped her as a mom to find a sense of peace (as much peace as taking 4 kids allowed). It became a passion for her, especially as they started fostering. The reward definitely outweighed the challenge, and she continues to share the love of adventure with her own kids. You can find her homeschooling by the river and lakes, adventuring, no matter what.

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