I love fly fishing! Thank you for your help!
Medford, Oregon Project
Lead Mentor: Sha Juniper Orton
Conservation Mentor: Amanda Strysick
Mentors on this team: 12
Children mentored to date: 22
Children to be mentored in 2025: 7
Local foster care partners: CASA, DHS, Jackson County Foster Parent Association, Hearts With a Mission
Local companies that support this project: Southern Oregon Women on the Fly, Project Healing Waters,
Contact our lead mentor: Sha Juniper Orton, shajuniper@gmail.com
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Medford, Oregon Project
“Mentor a kid and you’ll help guide their path. Give a kid a fly rod and they’ll wade their own path.”
Project Mentors
SHA JUNIPER ORTON, LEAD MENTOR
Medford, Oregon
Sha lives in Southern Oregon, with her husband, daughter + doodles. She earned B.S. degrees in Outdoor Adventure Leadership + Psychology in 2015, where she found her love for the outdoors and realized the immense growth potential that outdoor adventure offers. This is where her desire to share the great outdoors with others sparked. Sha works as a Fly-Fishing Instructor for high school and college students, and guides in between. She also works as a photographer, where she enjoys connecting her love for the outdoors, people and adventure all together. In 2019, Sha founded Southern Oregon Women on the Fly, where she dedicates herself to creating opportunities for women to learn the zesty art of fly-fishing and fly-tying. She loves to fish for all species and in all the various fly techniques, from swinging for steelhead, to paddling her standup paddle board in search of a spunky trout on a streamer pattern. Her favorite fly patterns to tie are the Hoh Boh Spey + Wooly Buggers, she especially loves grabbing Mexican food with her friends and family after a long day out on the water, and is known to have coffee in hand. Her favorite hobbies are fly-fishing, SUP, reading, writing, biking, hiking, doing yoga, and learning new things. She will forever spend time helping others.
JOHN KOBAL, MENTOR
Medford, Oregon
I love the out-of-doors and I have been fishing since age 8. I also love backpacking!
I was a leader in the Boy Scouts of America and led raft trips during college. I was a day camp director during my Master’s Program and I hold a degree in Recreation Administration. I am currently a Master Gardener and teach gardening through Oregon State University Extension. I was a group leader in a children’s summer gardening program in Jackson County, Oregon.
I have been interested in learning to fly fish for a long time and now I am taking advantage (after retiring) of fly fishing opportunities. Looking forward to helping foster kids gain an appreciation for the out-of-doors, and gain self-confidence.
DAVID DEDRICK, MENTOR
Eagle Point, Oregon
I am a Native of Oregon I was introduced to fly fishing and fish conservation at a very young age. I have had a fishing rod in my hand since I could walk.
Now days 99% of my time is spent doing various forms of fly fishing from dry flys to fishing with a spey rod!
TAMMY DEDRICK, MENTOR
Eagle Point, Oregon
I am a Medford, OR native. I have been fishing lakes and rivers for most of my life. I grew up with a passion for the outdoors. Camping, fishing and hiking, it’s part of who I am. When my husband and I met over 33 years ago, he introduced me to fly fishing and I fell in love with it! The art of it, the tranquility and the challenge bring me such joy and I am excited to share that experience with a new generation.
JOLEEN SMITH, MENTOR
Talent, Oregon
A Seattle native now living in Talent OR. Joleen is now retired.
In her past she spent lots of time on the river white water rafting, now she gets pleasure hiking and spending time fishing creeks and rivers in Southern Oregon with her dog. She’s been fly fishing for about 2 years, so still lots to learn. Nature heals, rejuvenates and teaches us so much. I look forward to sharing my passion for nature, balance, and all the life lessons we learn from fly fishing with the foster children.
JOHN KOBAL, MENTOR
Eugene, Oregon
Retired. Love the out-of-doors. Getting children enthusiastic about outdoor activities in a healthy program is very important to me. Giving time and energy to children in the foster care system seems very beneficial. These kids need a healthy tie with others.
TAMMY DEDRICK, MENTOR
Medford, Oregon
This is my 2nd time as a Mayfly mentor. I love sharing my passion for the outdoors and fly-fishing. Working with the youth, showing them the joys and benefits of connecting with nature.
DAVID DEDRICK, MENTOR
Medford, Oregon
I have been a mentor for mayfly project before. I have been involved with fly fishing for over 50 years.
News & Events
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Boise, 2023 Project Wrap!
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1st Project in Huntsville, Alabama!
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Medford, Oregon Project
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