West Virginia is home to some of the most wild and beautiful places. These are the kinds of places that can heal the soul, and that is why our mountain state project will be a wonderful resource for our youth who reside within it. Fly fishing has been an outlet for me, and I am excited to share that with others. It is a culture that comes with a supportive community and is something that brings you closest to some of nature’s most vibrant creatures. In a complicated world, life is simple when you are out on the water. With a skill these youth can carry with them through life, fly fishing is a way to encourage them to care for nature, because nature in turn, cares for them too.
Morgantown, West Virginia Project
Lead Mentor: Becca Myers
Project location: Morgantown, West Virginia
Year project founded: 2022
Mentors on this team: We are currently building our team of mentors!
Children mentored to date: 25
Children mentored in 2023: 10-12
Local foster care partners: KVC West Virginia
Local companies and partners that support this project: Trout Unlimited, Experience Learning, Inc., and our local community!
Contact Lead Mentor: Becca Myers, rmyers@experience-learning.org
Apply to mentor HERE!

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Morgantown, West Virginia Project
I can’t wait to give these kids the chance to create meaningful experiences and develop relationships with the outdoors that remain constant and dependable through life’s seasons!
Project Mentors

BECCA MYERS, LEAD MENTOR
Reedsville, West Virginia
Becca is a native of West Virginia and was introduced to fishing as a young child. What started out as flipping rocks along the stream in pursuit of finding encased caddis flies lead to a lifestyle revolving around the outdoors. Her favorite fishing days involve hiking to backcountry streams to lay out a dry fly for native brookies. If the fish aren’t biting, she is just as content wandering through the scenery and snapping photos along the way. In her professional work, she collaborates with local schools implementing outdoor education programs within the classroom. Giving youth the opportunity to form meaningful experiences with the outdoors and getting them excited about their environment and local watersheds is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. Becca is excited to expand The Mayfly Project to the mountain state and looks forward to seeing the positive impact this project can have on our rivers and on our kids!
JEFFREY KRESCH, MENTOR
Elkins, West Virginia
Originally from Pennsylvania, Jeffrey moved to West Virginia in 2005 to make a better life with his family in the Appalachian Mountains. Two things reignited his passion for fishing upon arriving in the state; the many wonderful fishing opportunities already in place for multiple fish species, and the many potential opportunities for reviving impaired streams. Recognizing the therapeutic qualities of the water through river and lake cleanups, educating himself on aquatic ecosystems, and teaching his three sons the art of fly fishing, Jeffrey is excited to help others share in this passion through his role as a mentor in the West Virginia Mayfly Project.

MATT DILLA, MENTOR
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matt cut his teeth spin fishing for smallmouth bass. he began to learn fly fishing at 14 years old from the Family Tyes non-profit group. Matt learned not only about fly fishing but giving back to the fishing community in general. Matt has fly fished all over the country, but most prefers his home waters in northern Pennsylvania. After teaching fly fishing for 15 years, he is looking forward to continuing working with children to pass on what he has learned about fishing.

SAM URBAN, MENTOR
Cabins, West Virginia
As a West Virginia native, Sam grew up running through the mountains searching for trout almost every weekend. This outdoor passion thrusted him towards a career in conservation, where he currently works with the WV Conservation Agency and lives in Cabins, WV. He believes in helping educate and impassion young anglers in fly fishing, since that was such an impactful part of his own up-bringing. It can lead to new and better stewards of the sport in the future. He is looking forward to being a mentor in the new Morgantown, WV Mayfly Project!

BRIAN MARCYJANIK, MENTOR
Butler, Pennsylvania
Brian retired from the PA Air National Guard after 21 years, during which time he took full advantage of many fishing opportunities across the U.S. He currently works full-time as an occupational safety manager and has been married for 20 years.
A native of western PA, Brian has been fishing since age 7 and introduced several friends to the sport of fly-fishing. Now more than ever, he enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with others by teaching hunter safety education, assisting with Butler County’s Youth Field Day or simply sharing tips and techniques with younger outdoorsmen in the field.

Adam Korman, MENTOR
New Castle, Pennsylvania
As a Pennsylvania born and raised native, the outdoors are in my blood. Introduced to fly fishing by the lack in ability to handle a bait-casting reel, my journey in the sport began about 16 years ago. I have always been passionate about breathing the fresh and nurturing air of the mountains, camping, hiking, and photographing. Having been in skateboarding ministry for nearly 20 years my care and compassion for young people is innate. Introducing anyone to fly fishing and instructing those to further their tactics have found a combination in my life in the form of guiding on the streams of PA. Pursing truth, beauty and goodness is unavoidable while being on the stream. So, why not introduce others through the Mayfly Project!

JASON ATKINS, MENTOR
Peytona, West Virginia
Born & raised in West Virginia, lived most of my life in Boone County. Started fishing at a very early age due to living right beside the Big Coal river. Avid fly tyer and making my own fishing lures (crankbaits & jerk baits). Currently I work full time as an Anesthesia tech at a level 1 trauma hospital, if I’m not working I’m either in the outdoors or in the barn woodworking. Looking forward to settling in as a mentor and helping out in whatever areas I can. 🎣
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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Morgantown, West Virginia Project
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