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.
Apply to Mentor Here!
Support The Mayfly Project
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.
News & Events
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...
Annual Buy a Fly Fundraiser is Live!!!
Join us for our Annual Buy a Fly Online Fundraiser !!! From Sep 29th to Oct 31st, purchase a fly/flies and receive free chances to win awesome prizes! Purchase Options: Select the item you would like to try to win and then purchase the flies associated with that...
Support The Mayfly Project
Pearisburg, Virginia Project
Questions or Need to Connect?
Stay in the loop with news, events, and updates from The Mayfly Project
