Kimberling City, Missouri Project

Fly fishing is so much fun!!
Thank you for teaching me!

TMP Mentee

Project Location

Kimberling City, Missouri

Year Project Founded

2024

Project Lead Mentor

Jerry Harman

Mentors on this team

Currently Recruiting

Children mentored to date

6

Children to be mentored in 2025

6

Local foster care partners

Currently searching for local foster care connections and programs.

Local companies that support this project

Currently searching for local partners and community support!

Apply to Mentor

For more questions about this project,
contact Jerry Harman at:
moflyfisher707@gmail.com

Mentor Application

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The children we mentor will have the opportunity to learn fly fishing and enjoy some amazing scenery…because everyone knows, trout live in beautiful places!

Jerry Harman, Lead Mentor

Kimberling City Missouri Project

Project Mentors

Jerry Harman, Lead Mentor

Jerry lives on Table Rock Lake in Missouri. Jerry’s fishing education started in his youth when his older brother taught him to fish for largemouth bass and catfish. At age 20, his wife’s grandfather taught him how to fly fish. From that day forward, fly fishing became his passion. Jerry spent 12 years teaching youth fishing for the Missouri Department of Conservation in St. Louis, Missouri. Since 2018, he has been a fishing guide at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. In his spare time, Jerry enjoys tying his own flies, kayak fishing, and fishing the clear waters of Lake Taneycomo and Crane Creek. Jerry carries his passion for fishing into his job as the Program Director for H2Ozarks, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting waterways in Missouri and Arkansas.

Kevin Beckman, Mentor

I had the opportunity to go fly fishing for the first time about 30 years ago on the Little Red in Ar. I knew then it would be something I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life. Although I didn’t really get to go very much for many years it never lost its appeal. Now that I am able to go much more frequently my passion has only grown. I mostly fish in and around Missouri and primarily for trout. The scenery never gets old no matter where I am fishing; the tug, or slurp is just as exciting as it was 30 years ago. Having an opportunity to give back via the Mayfly project and see the excitement on a child’s face will only make the time spent fly fishing that much more enjoyable!

Craig Nelson, Mentor

I grew up in California and started fishing for trout in lakes and streams in the Sierra Nevada mountains with my father. As I grew older I started fly fishing in those same steams. I moved to Missouri back in 1988 and have been fly fishing out here for trout and also some warm water species, such as white bass, largemouth bass. I really enjoy teaching people how to fly fish and showing them how fun it is, and all that it has to offer. Really looking forward to getting started with the Kimberling City Mayfly Project

Jamin Bray, Mentor

I grew up in southwest MO, loving the outdoors (especially Ozark streams and Table Rock Lake!). I first wanted to become a wildlife biologist and I earned a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Missouri. Later I decided to focus on interpreting science to citizens, especially young learners. I have worked for Missouri State Parks and National Parks as a resource interpreter, and I was a Middle School Science Teacher for 10 years. I’m now the Co-Director of the Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA). I love fly fishing not because of the fish, to be honest, but because of the macroinvertebrates! “Matching the hatch” is why I fish, and I love sharing that phenomenon with kids

Clayton Harman, Mentor

I started fishing when I was young with a Zebco rod and a can of worms while fishing local ponds. As I got older, I would fish rivers and ponds in Northern Missouri. I would get my little brother up early and take him with me and I taught him how to fish the rivers and ponds. We both got older, we did not get to fish much together. My brother learned to fly fish at an early age and when I was around 38 years old, he became my teacher. To this day, 31 years later, he is still teaching me and we enjoy fly fishing together often. I look forward to helping these kids learn how to fly fish and watching their faces when they land a fish. Also, teaching them how to take care of our streams and rivers.

David Koellner, Mentor

I began fishing for trout about 20 years ago at Maramec Spring Park, first with a spinning rod and then transitioning to a fly rod. Fly fishing and fly tying have been my passion ever since. We moved to Branson 5 years ago and I regularly fish Lake Taneycomo where I have enjoyed helping many folks, including kids, catch some trout. My late father provided me with inspiration to volunteer, he worked with kids in the foster care system as a CASA advocate. I heard many stories and it gave him great satisfaction to make a difference. I look forward to helping the kids in Project Mayfly discover the joy of fly fishing and hopefully make a difference as well.

Julia Park, Mentor

Julia grew up splashing around in Table Rock Lake in Reeds Spring, Missouri. She went to Mizzou where she earned her B.S. in Environmental Science and has recently returned to the Table Rock area to splash around in streams with Jerry Harman at H2Ozarks. Julia currently works at H2Ozarks as a Program Assistant, where she is dedicated to protecting waterways in Missouri and Arkansas. She is not a frequent fisher… but she loves all manner of creatures (especially the slimy ones) and is excited to try something new.

Allison Osredker, Mentor

Allison grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ozarks, fostering a deep connection to the outdoors. With several years of experience guiding both youth and adults to feel more at home in nature, she’s developed a true passion for conservation. She believes that education and connection are key to building a brighter, more sustainable future. Growing up, she spent a lot of time on the banks of Bennett Springs watching her father quickly fill his daily limit on trout and couldn’t wait to follow his footsteps. Now, she finds immense pride in sharing that legacy with others, especially youth.

Alan Hautly, Mentor

I retired in 2019 after running our family business in St. Louis. Born and raised in Kirkwood, MO, was taught to fish by a neighbor who bought me my first 3-piece bamboo cane pole. Have been fishing ever since, started fly fishing and tying (if you could call it that at the time) when I was an early teen. Have mostly bass fished my adult life until I retired and got back into fly fishing, and also fly tying. Joined Flyfishers at the Crossing, where I learned about organization. I have enjoyed getting a fly rod back in my hand. I look forward to helping with The Mayfly Project and giving back to the youth that need our assistance.

Loyd Day, Mentor

“As a native of the Ozarks, I deeply appreciate the region’s beauty, especially its water systems. I fell in love with fly fishing the White River in the early 1990s and enjoy both spinning and fly rods. Over time, I’ve found more joy in helping others catch fish than catching them myself. Watching a child land their first fish or seeing morning fog lift off the White River is pure magic. These moments taught me the value of tranquility, and I hope to pass that gift on. As stewards of these waters, we must inspire future anglers to respect and preserve our cherished trout streams. The Mayfly Project is a great way to give back and pay forward the opportunities I’ve received.”

Michael Orndahl, Mentor

Mike grew fishing the Fox River in Northern Illinois. He also enjoyed Walleye fishing on the Minocqua Chain of Lakes in Northern Wisconsin. He Recently retired as a Vice President with a National Electrical Contractor, and relocated to Table Rock Lake area two years ago. Mike coached kids soccer, basketball and softball while his three daughters were growing up. He thoroughly enjoyed watching the kids develop self confidence and self esteem as the improved their skills. Recently introduce to fly fishing, he is looking forward to helping the Mayfly Project provide these opportunities to kids.

Ron Ward, Mentor

Ron grew up in Colorado hiking, fishing, and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. He purchased his first fly rod while in Junior High and has been fishing his entire life. Since retiring to Branson, MO he spends his time on the water or on the golf course. Ron is an active member in several local fly fishing clubs and groups. He helps teach new and inexperienced fly fishers how to rig, select flies, and find fish on local lakes and streams. Ron also enjoys traveling to new areas and experience new waters for both cold water and warm water fish.