MENTORING FOSTER CHILDREN THROUGH FLY FISHING
The Mayfly Project is a 501(c)(3) national organization that uses fly fishing as a catalyst to mentor and support children in foster care. The Mission of The Mayfly Project is to support children in foster care through fly fishing and introduce them to their local water ecosystems, with a hope that connecting them to a rewarding hobby will provide an opportunity for foster children to have fun, build confidence, and develop a meaningful connection with the outdoors.
The Value of The Mayfly Project for Children in Foster Care
How can fly fishing improve the life of a child in foster care? A quote from a caseworker from a project outing answers this question…
“I couldn’t believe the change in behavior and spirit prior to our outing with TMP and then post outing—it was night and day. The children came feeling nervous and struggling to stay positive, and then once they started participating in the project their behavior and attitude changed. Seeing the children smiling, feeling good about their accomplishments and themselves, enjoying time in nature, and excited about life, was worth more than we could have ever expected.”
Our Work
Mentoring
The Mayfly Project is committed to our 1:1 mentor ratio when working with children in foster care because we know they value time with their mentor, and it’s the most efficient way to teach fly fishing. The memories made by celebrating successes, working through wind knots together, and giving high fives after letting go a fish, all surmount to essential experiences for our mentees.
Conservation
During each project outing the children we mentor participate in our Conservation Initiative. We teach the three C’s: Catch and Release, Clean Rivers, and Contamination. Our mentees join in a cycle of healing by taking care of the waters we are privileged to experience and the fish we are honored to catch and release.
Our Projects
The Mayfly Project’s standard program is to mentor a foster child through five sessions we call “stages”, just like the life cycle of a Mayfly. Within these stages, the children learn line management, casting techniques, knot tying, some etymology, river safety, mending tactics, hook setting, catch and release tactics, and the value of conservation. At the end of the five stages the child is gifted their own gear to continue to pursue fly fishing.
How Do I Get Involved?
Mentor
Attend an Event
Give
Everyone needs an escape. For me, my escape is fly fishing. During some of the most trying times of my adult life I have used a fly rod as a coping mechanism. The river is a place where I can immerse myself in God’s creation and forget about everything but mending.
– Jess Westbrook, Founder
Updates
1st Project in Huntsville, Alabama!
“Introducing children to the art of fly fishing is not really about the fish we catch. It’s about helping them, as it helps so many of us, by providing an escape, promoting character, building relationships, and connecting us with nature.” --Jeremiah Russell, Lead...
TMP Missoula Kicks Off for 2023!!!
Check out this great video from our Missoula Mentor, TK Archibald! This project is on it's 4th year, serving in Missoula! It takes a village to make these projects happen--we are so grateful for our donors, foster care partners, mentors, and especially our Lead...
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...
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