I loved being able to fish with you guys. Can’t wait for the next time!
Pearisburg, Virginia Project
Lead Mentor: Zach Smith
Co-Lead Mentor: Randy Jewell
Project location: Pearisburg, Virginia
Year project founded: 2020
Mentors on this team: 15
Children mentored to date: 17
Children to be mentored in 2024: 8
Local foster care partners: CASA, Intercept, DSS
Local companies that support this project: Community support, local county donations.
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Pearisburg, Virginia Project
I know for me fishing is a way of getting away from it all and relaxing, and I hope it can be the same for these children and a way to show them people care and they can achieve great heights through the skills they learn fly fishing.
Project Mentors

ZACHARY SMITH, LEAD MENTOR
Pearisburg, Virginia
I live in Southwestern, VA and have lived here most of my life. Fishing and outdoors has been a passion of mine since I was little. I have fished for most of my life. I started fly fishing over five years ago and fly tying over a year ago. I love being outdoors and fishing is just one of the many activities that I love and have a passion for in the outdoors. It is a way for me to get out and relax at the end of day and be in nature. I am currently an Attorney because I have to pay for all of my hobbies including being an avid fisherman. I have worked with many foster children in the Court systems and look forward to sharing the love of fishing with them.

RANDY JEWELL, CO-LEAD MENTOR
Peterstown, West Virginia
Growing up in Southern West Virginia Randy spent most of his days outside fishing, hunting, and enjoying the mountains. Spending most of his early years learning to fish for bass with his father off the back of a bass boat solidified his love for chasing fish of any species. Fly fishing came later as a teenager, and fly tying came soon after. Fishing for trout proved to be a much more challenging thrill. Being in the water with the fish, not to mention the discriminating palette of the trout made seeking a bite that much more exciting. Experiencing fly fishing for trout in cold mountain streams with a hand-tied fly connects your soul with nature in a way few things ever could. After marrying his wife Jessica who taught public school for ten years he began to see how important it was to be a light in the lives of children. With a brother also being involved in caring for foster children which ultimately led to adoption Randy also saw how love, consistency, and patience could change a life. Randy and his wife have three children and enjoy being outdoors with them whenever possible.
SHANE SHUBERT, MENTOR
Roanoke, Virginia
I was born and raised in SW Virginia, I was fishing before I could walk. I picked up my first fly rod when I was around 10 years old. I love to be outdoors hiking, camping and always fishing. Spending many many years in the military gave me the opportunity to fish all over the world. I have been fortunate to land many different species of fish with a fly rod. I love to tie my own flies. To me it is one of the most relaxing things that I can do other than being in the water. I am a Sports Performance Coach, High School Soccer Coach and Personal Trainer. Working with kids is something I do daily and having the opportunity to work with foster children and teach them the love of fly fishing and conservation is a dream come true.
News & Events
It’s Giving Tuesday, 2023!!
November 28th, 2023 is Giving Tuesday, an important day for TMP where we work together to raise funds for 2024 Projects! If you cannot donate, please share our fundraisers with your friends and family. It takes a village!!! More Exciting News:We have a donor that will...
We’re Thankful for YOU!
As the founders of The Mayfly Project, our belief in the power of fly fishing and mentorship grows exponentially every season because of the wonderful leads and mentors joining our teams. The village of TMP is held together by our leads and mentors who make the time...
Virginia Department of Wildlife Services Support!
Our Virginia Projects were thrilled to receive grant support from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources this season! Because of their generosity, we were able to introduce fly fishing, teach our conservation initiative, and make the outdoors more accessible...
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Pearisburg, Virginia Project
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