This was the funnest day I’ve ever had in my life!
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Project
Lead Mentors: Phil Biggerstaff
Co-Lead Mentors: Kaitlin Barnhart, Ben Baird
Project location: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Year project founded: 2016
Mentors on this team: 12
Children mentored to date: 40
Children to be mentored in 2020: 8-10
Local foster care partners: Children’s Village, CASA, DHS, Integrated Interventions LLC.
Local companies that support this project: North West Outfitters, North 40, Woods Meats, Kyla Kulp Photography
Currently looking for sponsors and support for 2020!
Support The Mayfly Project
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Project
These children need us to come along side them–to hold space for them during a difficult time in their lives. If we can get them outside with safe mentors, and teach them how to fly fish, we are giving them tools to cope and experiences that will impact them for many years to come. Every child should have a memory of a big fish they were proud to catch!
Project Mentors
KAITLIN BARNHART, CO-FOUNDER, NATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Athol, Idaho
Kaitlin joined the Westbrooks’ in April, 2016 and helped co-found The Mayfly Project, National Program. With over 20 years working in the mental health field with children in foster care, she understands the needs of this population, as well as the benefits of taking foster children fly fishing. Kaitlin started her fly fishing addiction right after college, working at a lodge in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Since then, she has been fly fishing every chance she gets, exploring new waters and leading as many people as she can to the sport of fly fishing. Beyond her work with TMP, Kaitlin is a mother to three wonderful children, an outdoor writer, and is known for hauling her family fishing year-around. She is thankful to live in North Idaho, surrounded by her favorite outdoor places, friends, and family.
PHIL BIGGERSTAFF, LEAD MENTOR
Sandpoint, 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
Eric grew up in North Idaho and has been fly fishing for 8 years. He was a youth leader for many years and has always loved working with kids who need supportive mentors in their lives. When he’s not working or his wife (Kaitlin) is forcing him to go fly fishing, Eric enjoys hiking and spending quality time with his family. He’s a huge blessing to the foundation of The Mayfly Project and it wouldn’t be where it is today without his support and dedication.
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
Sandpoint, 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
Coeur 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.
News & Events
From Foster Care to Fly Fishing, Meet Mentor, Breezy Johnston
Breezy Johnston, mentor for Pikes Peak, CO project, talks about life in foster care and how fly fishing has become her home-base. We are thrilled to have Breezy joining our team and are so thankful for her willingness to share. We are inspired by folks who have been through the trenches and have found their niche in the world!
TMP’s COVID-19 Response and Fundraiser
The COVID-19 pandemic is creating unprecedented challenges globally, for our country and for our TMP and foster care communities. We are a nonprofit that values action, and we have been passionately working non-stop to continue to support the most vulnerable in our...
The Mayfly Project Mentee Curriculum Development
Last year we rolled out our new curriculum with the help of our fly fishing family and TMP partners! The impact of this curriculum has surpassed our expectations--the foster children we work with are able to use the curriculum with their mentors and then keep it to...
Support The Mayfly Project
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Project
Questions or Need to Connect?
Stay in the loop with news, events, and updates from The Mayfly Project
