Fayetteville, Arkansas Project

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Fayetteville, Arkansas Project

Project Mentors

TYLER STEPHENS, LEAD MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

I grew up in Fayetteville, Ar. I spent most of my free time growing up wading every river and creek around. I moved to the Florida coast in my early 20s to chase bigger fish in hopes of guiding. It didn’t take long for the clear streams and my wife to call me back to Arkansas. I started fly fishing in 6th grade through a program in middle school. That is where I fell in love with the sport. Now I go on trips with the school to teach the new generation the passion that consumed me years ago and is still going strong. Seeing a kid net their first fish is one of the best feelings of accomplishment that I have found. I am really looking forward to this new adventure with The Mayfly Project!

PRESTON DOMINY, CO-LEAD MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Growing up with family in Arkansas, Preston has been making fishing trips to the Spring and White River his entire life. 6 years ago he started fly fishing on those rivers and has not looked back since. Now living in Fayetteville, he can be found below the Bull Shoals or Norfork Dams almost every weekend. He is looking forward to combining his experience in child care with fly fishing in his new role as Mentor for the Fayetteville Chapter of the Mayfly Project.

BRADLEY BRIDGES, MENTOR

Prairie Grove, Arkansas

Bradley is an Arkansas native, born and raised in the Arkansas Delta. He moved to the Ozark Mountains in his teens and has called Northwest Arkansas home ever since. An avid outdoorsman and self-proclaimed river rat, he enjoys spending time on local streams floating, fishing and camping with his wife and two daughters. Bradley is very excited to share his passion for fly fishing and extremely blessed to be a part of The Mayfly Project in Northwest Arkansas.

JUSTIN KEEN, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

A lifelong Arkansawyer, Justin grew up fishing the warm waters of central Arkansas. He relocated to the Ozark Mountain town of Fayetteville, Arkansas for college where he met his wonderful wife, Jane Marie. They live in Fayetteville with their 3 children and too many dogs.
Justin supports his fishing by teaching middles school history and science in Fayetteville. For the last 8 years he has run the Fly Fishing program at McNair Middle School founded by Coach David Hunt. This allows Justin to get around seventy kids a year out on the Trout waters of Southern Missouri and N. Arkansas.
Justin is motivated to get kids outside and keep them learning and loving life in the Ozarks, he can’t wait to help support the mission of Mayfly Project.

CARL KERNODLE, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Carl grew up in Wynne, Arkansas, fishing for bass and panfish as far back as he can remember. While studying architecture at the University of Arkansas, a classmate introduced him to fly fishing and his passion for fly fishing was born. His career as a hospitality architect has provided him the opportunity to live and travel throughout the US and internationally. Whenever possible, he strives to blend his travels with a fly-fishing opportunity. He is now circling back to where his fly fishing all started by moving to Fayetteville to continue his professional practice in hospitality development and design consulting with his company, Two Trout. He is looking forward to re-exploring the Arkansas waters and introducing others to fly fishing.

JOEY FRAZIER, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Originally from Little Rock, Joey moved up to Fayetteville in 2008. He had always been interested to learn fly fishing, so in 2021 he decided to hire a guide. Since then, the activity has become a passion, though his fiance, Claire, will call it an obsession. Joey is excited to mentor and teach a younger generation about the joys that it has to offer.

GRAHAM PARKHILL, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Graham was born and raised in North Little Rock, AR where he had easy access to lakes, ponds and streams. Luckily for him, his parents decided to pass along their love for the outdoors. If memory serves, they must have spent every available weekend of his youth on the Little Red River in Heber Springs, AR. Graham relocated to Fayetteville, AR to attend the U of A in 2009, and has stayed ever since. He lives there with his wife, Alyssa and their daughter, Margot. When he is not playing Mr. Mom, chasing fish, or attempting to be a carpenter, you will likely find him working as a financial advisor. One eavesdropped chat at the local fly shop about TMP was all it took to get started, and for that he is eternally grateful.

DAN SMITH, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Dan is an Army veteran that has lived multiple places and is from Raleigh, NC and currently lives in Northwest Arkansas. He enjoys traveling to fish new places and also loves getting kids into fly fishing. Favorite fishing spots include Beaver Lake and White River in Arkansas, North Carolina mountains and coast, and some of the tailwaters leading into Lake Erie in NY.

COLTER NEELEY, MENTOR

Springdale, Arkansas

Colter grew up fishing for catfish, bass and sunfish in the warm water fisheries of North Alabama. After serving for 7 years in the Air Force and relocating to Northwest Arkansas for his last duty station, Colter decided to pursue fly fishing as a career by attending the Gallatin River Guide School in Big Sky, Montana, and now works as a part time fly fishing guide on the White River.

ROB LEEF, MENTOR

Mountain Home, Arkansas

Rob was born in Denver and learned how to fish in the Colorado Rockies. He spent 30 years in Austin racing canoes and fly fishing the rivers of Central Texas.
A 2021 Ozark fly fishing trip in led Rob and his wife Tasha to the town of Mountain Home Arkansas. Day 1 of the trip, they found a peaceful bank on the White, a short paddle from the confluence with the Buffalo National River, and decided to make it their home.

Rob spends his weekends guiding for clients, friends, and a growing number of folks that fall somewhere in between. The river has a habit of taking two strangers, and teaching them how to know each other.

Henry David Thoreau “Some men fish all their lives without knowing it is not really the fish they are after.”

ROBERTO GUERRA, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Hi there! I’m a passionate fly fishing enthusiast with a deep love for entomology and the art of fly tying. My journey into the world of fly fishing began years ago, and it has only grown stronger with each cast and every new insect discovery. I delight in creating meticulously crafted flies that mimic nature to perfection, enhancing my fishing adventures and bringing joy to my fellow anglers. Whether I’m knee-deep in a stream or meticulously studying aquatic insects, I’m always happiest when I’m connected to the water. Let’s share the joy of fly fishing together!

RICHARD PEARSON, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, Richard grew up fishing with his Grandfather from local ponds to area lakes. His passion for fly fishing started more than 25 years ago and has given him a respect and appreciation for the outdoors he loves sharing with others. With a natural strength of encouraging others, Richard enjoys working with children and young adults to grow in knowledge of the outdoors. The new adventures of the Mayfly Project is an exciting way to bring youth and nature together.

MATT SCHAFFNER, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Matt grew up on the Gulf Coast waters of Southwest Florida chasing inshore fish with conventional fishing gear. It was not until he attended the U of A that he picked up a fly rod in 2011, and has not looked back since.
He initially cut his teeth in the world of fly fishing on the Beaver Tailwaters and the White River in Cotter. However, when he has the opportunity, you can find him traveling the country with a fly rod. Matt is a Navy veteran that has relocated back to Northwest Arkansas with his wife and two young boys. He has a passion for teaching and mentoring kids and young adults. He is so excited to be a part of a program that introduces others into a lifelong connection with the great outdoors!

ELLIOTT OEFINGER, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

I’m a sophomore at the University of Arkansas and I spend most of my weekends fly fishing!

GARRETT WHITLEY, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Growing up with a passion for competition and a love for the outdoors, Garrett has always been driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the future of our communities. With a career rooted in education and leadership, Garrett has had the privilege of coaching football, teaching, and now serving as a School Administrator in Arkansas over the past 10 years. Through these roles, Garrett continues to inspire and guide the next generation, fostering a strong sense of community and dedication to excellence in all walks of life! He is excited to join the Fayetteville MayFly project and mentor the next generation of leaders!

ADRIAN AHLBRANDT, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

A native of Arkansas, Adrian grew up in Hot Springs National Park, where he regularly fished with his grandfather. These early experiences sparked a lifelong passion for fishing. In 2018, he moved to Northwest Arkansas to attend college, where he was introduced to fly fishing by friends and a local guide. Now, he frequently explores the creeks, rivers, and lakes of the Ozarks, targeting Smallmouth Bass, Trout, and all other native species the unique region has to offer. Passionate about sharing his love for fly fishing, Adrian is excited to mentor children through the Mayfly Project!

TERI TILLMAN, MENTOR

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Born & Raised in Texas, Teri has been calling NW Arkansas home since 1998. She is brand new to fly fishing, but very eager to learn & let it consume some of her time in nature. She has volunteered as a Girl Scout leader in the past & feels that role gave her a solid foundation to serve in any capacity needed to mentor with the Fayetteville Arkansas Mayfly Project. She has a great love of outdoor adventures. Those include chasing waterfalls & occasionally kayaking. There is nothing quiet like hiking rugged terrain & hearing the melody of water flowing over rock. You may also find her crewing for various hot air balloon pilots. It gives her great joy to be a small part of fulfilling an individuals bucket list item of taking a ride.

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