“My mentee kept saying fishing with us was the most fun they ever had!”
Hartford, Connecticut Project
Project Lead Mentor: 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 2023: 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.
Contact Lead Mentor: cycoons@gmail.com
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Hartford, Connecticut Project
We can’t wait to get local children in foster care out enjoying the river and connecting with nature!
Project Mentors
RORY LISEFSKI, MENTOR
Newburgh, New York
I’ve been fishing for over 6 years and it has been a pure passion for me. Being on the water is where I find my piece of mind!
RYAN PIKE, MENTOR
Canterbury, Connecticut
I grew up in Massachusetts where my grandfather taught me how to fly fish at 8 years of age. Been fly fishing ever since. I was in the military for 8 years where I deployed twice to the Middle East. These deployments put an emphasis on just how important fly fishing was in my life. So, I went to guide school in Montana and brought that back to Connecticut where I live now. Fly fishing has provided me with not only a healing element in my life but also a passion for conservation for our fisheries and the outdoors in general. I am excited to join The Mayfly Project and share such an amazing sport and provide children with a therapeutic adventure.
DOUG MARR, MENTOR
Millbrook, New York
A latecomer to fly fishing, Doug’s children, gave him his first fly rod as a Father’s Day gift in 2014, and the obsession began! The years prior were consumed by family activities, as well as coaching kids in hockey and lacrosse. As the kids got older, Doug continued his love of learning and sharing by teaching his kids to fly fish. The obsession led him to the Western Rivers Guide School to learn more about guiding and how to operate his drift boat safely. Doug looks forward to sharing what he has learned as a Mentor with The Mayfly Project and learning from the kids and other mentors. Doug owns a plumbing business and currently lives in Millbrook with his wife and children.
MARK PRELLI, MENTOR
Winsted, Connecticut
A Connecticute Native, Mark grew up near the Farmington river, doing lots of spin fishing with his dad. He learned to fly fish from his cousin while on outings to Maine, and chose his college, Bates, partly because of its proximity to one of his favorite spots to fish. He believes that learning is lifelong, and that the rivers and streams we fish can teach us all sorts of things if we listen and look. Most of his professional career has been math education, and he enjoys teaching fishing even more.
News & Events
Salt Lake City, Utah Project News!
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Children in foster care are getting the chance to learn a new hobby: fly fishing. It's part of a free program that pairs a child with a safe mentor who also teaches them life skills. "I'm hoping these kids can just step out of their normal...
Clabough Foundation Support, Bend, Oregon!
The Bend Mayfly Project is excited to be the recipient of the Clabough Foundation grant! The Clabough Foundation emphasizes environmental stewardship, education activities, arts and culture, social services, and community based programs that create a positive change...
First Annual, Kings River Smallmouth Shootout!
What's better than a fly fishing tournament to support TMP in Fayetteville?! What: First Annual Kings River Smallmouth Shootout, sponsored by Mclellan’s! Date: Saturday, June 24, 2023 Time: TBD, around 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Location: Kings River Outfitters in Eureka...
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Hartford, Connecticut Project
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