I have had many patients in the foster care system and have witnessed first hand their need for stable, loving relationships. TMP will provide a foundation for this type of relationship. I am excited for this program to get started here in Nashville!!
Lauren Gibson, Mentor

Nashville, Tennessee Project

Nashville, Tennessee Project

Lead Mentor: Rob Walls

Project location: Nashville, Tennessee

Year project founded: 2019

Mentors on this team: 12

Children mentored to date: 8

Children to be mentored in 2022: 5-7

Local foster care partners: Department of Health and Welfare 

Local companies that support this project: Currently searching for local support.

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Nashville, Tennessee Project

Fly fishing helps me slow down, focus, and prioritize my thoughts. I would like to share this joy with others and have a special place in my heart for kids. I feel called to help children “be all that they can be”, be successful, be proud and know that they have great worth, that they can be loved and that they can love things.

Rob Walls

Lead Mentor, Nashville, Tennessee Project

Project Mentors

ROB WALLS, LEAD MENTOR

Franklin, Tennessee

A native of East Tennessee, Rob became interested in fly fishing as a “therapeutic escape” from hectic professional school life-and found a whole new life. He currently lives in Nashville, TN with his wife and kids, fishes around the South East and West as much as possible. His days are spent “pursuing wellness” with children and families as a pediatric occupational therapist and dreaming of the next great adventure. Rob really looks forward to building something wonderful with The Mayfly Project in MUSIC CITY!

DAVID DAILY

Franklin, Tennessee

At 19 my college buddy from Montana taught me to fly fish for trout in Tennessee not knowing that there’s hardly any trout in Tennessee. So after about 10 trips of not catching trout we found a local fly shop and figured out where to go. Now 35 years later Tennessee has some great trout fishing and I love sharing it with new and old friends.

BRUNO MARCAL POCO

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bruno started fly-fishing at the age of 13 while growing up in South Africa. A few years later he started his first job as a commercial fly-tier. Since then he Has caught over 50 species on fly and loves to travel around the world chasing native species. In South Africa he worked as a middle school art teacher until he moved to the USA 5 years ago. Since then he has worked as an climbing and kayak guide and instructor around the country. Now residing in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he continues to teach. You are sure to find him on local rivers and streams with a fly rod in hand during his free time. He can’t wait to share his passion of fly-fishing with others and is a proud mentor of The Mayfly Project.

News & Events

TMP’s Curriculum, Spanish Edition!

TMP’s Curriculum, Spanish Edition!

From our Seattle Project Lead Mentor, Eileen Petralia:     "During one of our project years, in the late planning stages, I learned that all of our mentees that registered would all be native Spanish speakers. As myself and some of the mentors had friends in the...

Thank You, Tie-A-Thon Friends!!

Thank You, Tie-A-Thon Friends!!

  Thank you to the Tie-A-Thon!!!   The phrase, "many hands make light work," is the core of what TMP stands for and is how we are able to serve so many kids each year. Running The Mayfly Project across the USA and into the United Kingdom takes not only lead...

Boise, 2023 Project Wrap!

Boise, 2023 Project Wrap!

“Thank you so much for this. The interaction with the volunteers has been great to watch, and I love how it's much more than just about catching fish, but building character and stewardship. Again, you are all awesome for this!” --Mentee Caregiver, TMP Boise Project...

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Nashville, Tennessee Project

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