Little Rock, Arkansas Methodist Children’s Home Project

Conway, Arkansas

Nick was born and raised in the state of Arkansas and has always loved being outdoors, however, has only been fly fishing since 2014. Even in that short time, Nick has gained a passion for fly fishing and the river. Being able to use that passion of fly fishing and helping others is what gravitated him towards The Mayfly Project. In his spare time, Nick enjoys spending time and traveling with his beautiful wife, Charity, and 2 kids, Finley and Witt.

My love for fishing started when my dad put a cane pole with a cricket in my hand on the Ouachita River in South Arkansas when I was a tiny kid. I watched him fly fish as he sculled my sister and I around until we caught enough bream for a fish fry that night. I took up fly fishing in the early 90’s when I moved back to Arkansas, learning from friends and the guys in the Arkansas Fly Fishers in Little Rock. Standing in a river with a fly rod in my hand makes my soul sing! I feel closer to God there than anywhere else. It’s my privilege to share this sport with anyone who wants to learn, especially foster kids. The Mayfly Project is where I can give back to a sport that has given me a passion for fishing and being outdoors.his passion of fly fishing with Mayfly Project in the Austin, Tx. area.

Conway, Arkansas

Madison grew up in Central Arkansas and is currently attending UCA to become a physical therapist. She’s always had a love for exploring the outdoors, but did not begin to truly pursue that for herself until around the time she was introduced to fly fishing. While she is no expert in the sport, she realizes that fly fishing was just what she needed to push herself outside of her comfort zone, challenge her, and is rewarding in more ways than one. She especially loves working with the Mayfly Project because of the work they do with the foster care system. Madison and her family have personally been impacted by it and she is grateful for the opportunity to pour into others.

As an Arkansas Native, Mike caught the fishing bug at an early age. Passed down from his grandpa and grandma, it really stuck with early trips to the Little Red River wading in the waters around swinging bridge. It wasn’t until later in life that a friend introduced him to fly fishing. His first fish on fly was a brown trout, and that was all it took to set the hook. He can be found most weekends in his drift boat on the Little Red River with friends or family, and really enjoys introducing fly fishing to newcomers. With a background working with kids at the Fayetteville Boys and Girls club, Mike looks forward to introducing Arkansas’s youth to the excitement, adventure and sense of fulfilment found in Fly Fishing the Natural State.

John Pineda has had a fly rod in his hand since the age of seven. He grew up in the mountains of New Mexico where his love for the sport would take root. He grew up chasing small stream native trout and spent as much time as streamside learning to read the water and watching the bug life that lived in and out of the water. He moved to Arkansas at the age of fourteen and fell in love with the outdoor recreation the state had to offer. He also learned through these opportunities how peace and tranquility can be received through these offerings and has a passion to pass on the effects the outdoors can have on an individual. John enjoys spending time with his wife Rachelle chasing fish on the fly as well as teaching his family the skills he has

Jim Shenep is a career banker and trust officer who along with his wife, Cindy Kell Shenep, raised three Sons in Little Rock and today they are happily helping raise their three young granddaughters. Jim has served in the past as a youth baseball coach at Junior Deputy, scout leader for the Quapaw Area Council and confirmation teacher at First United Methodist Church Downtown Little Rock. Jim is looking forward to continuing serving the youth through the Mayfly Project.

Born and raised in Colorado, Bruce grew up in the mountains and spent every moment available outside of school, hiking, backpacking, sailing, rock climbing, fishing, camping, cycling, and shooting. Bruce is an avid fly tier and saltwater fly fisherman. Bruce and his wife, Valerie, moved to Arkansas 15 months ago and reside in Benton. Bruce has two grown daughters ages 40 and 45 and Valerie has two grown sons ages 44 and 42. They have 4 grandchildren ages 13 to 21.