“My mentee kept saying fishing with us was the most fun they ever had!”
Hartford, Connecticut Project
Project Lead Mentor: Mark Alpert
Co-lead Mentor: John Stratton
TMP, Hartford founder: Cy Coons
Project location: Hartford, Connecticut
Year project founded: 2019
Mentors on this team: 6
Children mentored to date: 10
Children to be mentored in 2024: 8
Local foster care partners: We are currently partnering with local foster care agencies.
Local companies that support this project: We are currently searching for local support.
Support The Mayfly Project
Hartford, Connecticut Project
The grin on my mentees face was incredible when he caught his first fish! We can’t wait to get them back out on the water again!
Project Mentors
MARK ALPERT, LEAD MENTOR
I have loved to fish since I was a young kid and when I was 13 my parents gave me my first fly rod. I didn’t know how to use it so I put on a worm and caught beautiful native brook trout up in Maine. I quickly switched to flies and have been fly fishing ever since. I am still fascinated by catching fish – any type. My favorite species of fish to catch is the one I haven’t caught yet. Whether fishing for bluegills, stripers, or a new species I am totally engrossed. Helping new anglers have this experience and watching them eventually catch fish on a fly is a thrill! The Mayfly Project is a wonderful organization where this happens and I’m happy to be a part of it.
JOHN STRATTON, CO-LEAD MENTOR
35 year old part time guide/ construction worker. Been fly fishing since I was 5, fly fishing has been a vital role in my life from the memory’s with my grandfather to finding inner peace in the stream. I hope to share my love of the sport and hope other can find the peace I do on the river!
STEVEN BOISSEAU, MENTOR
I started fishing in small streams at the age of 9 years old with worms. In grade school I joined a fly tying club and was introduced to fly fishing. I’ve fished for most of my life off and on and really enjoy teaching new fishermen/fisherwomen. I love the outdoors every way possible… fishing, hunting, or just plain hiking. Lets all get out there and have some fun!
ANDREW KELLY, MENTOR
KATE POWERS, MENTOR
STEVE HOGAN, MENTOR
News & Events
Clean Up from Hurricane Helene, Mentor Highlight!
We’re honored to highlight one of our mentors who is not only a huge asset to TMP in Boone, North Carolina, but has been a hero in her community during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, 2024. Her name is Kelly McCoy—she is known in her community as the ‘Rivergirl’—a...
Bureau of Reclamation Partnership!
Our TMP projects in Medford and Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Hayden, Idaho partnered with the Bureau of Reclamation, (Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region and the California Great Basin Region), and their Fish-ABLE Fun program this summer! The Fish-ABLE program is designed...
Buy a Fly Fundraiser is Live!!!!!
We're excited to announce our annual Buy a Fly Event is now live! From September 29th to October 31st, purchase a fly/flies and you're entered to win awesome prizes! All proceeds go towards supporting TMP getting more youth in foster care into the healing sport...
Support The Mayfly Project
Hartford, Connecticut Project
Questions or Need to Connect?
Stay in the loop with news, events, and updates from The Mayfly Project