Thank you so much! My boys loved time with your mentors today. They were both anxious to get home and tell our neighbors all the fun they had today fly fishing!
Pikes Peak, Colorado Project
Lead Mentors: Kaylee Pacheco and Ryan Dudek
Conservation Mentor: Tia Hutchens
Project location: Pikes Peak, Colorado
Mentors on this team: 19
Children mentored to date: 54
Children to be mentored in 2025: 10
Local foster care partners: Kids Crossing in Pueblo, Hope and Home in Colorado Springs
Local companies that support this project: The Mortgage Co. in Cañon City.
To join this team, or provide local support, please contact our lead mentor here: mayflyprojectpikespeak@gmail.com
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Pikes Peak, Colorado Project
There is peace on the water that you will find no place else in the world. Where all the worries and stressors of life no longer matter. These kids on a daily basis fight emotional battles no one could ever imagine. Fly fishing gives them the opportunity to let down their defenses, enjoy life, and be a kid. Our project has done an amazing job at working together to make this possible for the kids in the community. Despite blizzards and driving countless hours, the mentors on the Pikes Peak team always pull through.
Project Mentors
RYAN DUDEK, LEAD MENTOR
Lead mentor for The Mayfly Projects Pikes Peak chapter, Ryan moved to Colorado in 2012 and quickly fell in love with the mountains, outdoors and especially the art of fly fishing and tying. For Ryan, fly fishing is not only a sport but a form of meditation, patience and respect for the environment. With a deep passion for conservation and giving back, Ryan is dedicated to teaching foster children about fly fishing, hoping to spark in them the same appreciation for nature. By introducing them to this fulfilling hobby, he aims to provide them with both a creative outlet and a positive influence for their future
KAYLEE PACHECO, LEAD MENTOR
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Kaylee has been passionate about fly fishing since she first picked up a rod in December 2018. Growing up in Cañon City, Colorado, she later moved to Colorado Springs, where her love for the sport flourished. With a keen interest in the art of fly fishing and entomology, she’s constantly inspired by the breathtaking landscapes the sport brings her to. Whether she’s exploring high alpine lakes with her shih tzu, floating down Wyoming’s North Platte River with friends, or enticing fish to rise to her dry flies. She currently holds Colorado’s length record for an Arctic Grayling, recognized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. As a lead mentor, she’s thrilled to share the adventure with others.
TIA HUTCHENS, CONSERVATION MENTOR
Woodland Park, Colorado
I am a Colorado Native who grew up with a deep appreciation for the outdoors. I grew up fishing with my grandfather and rekindled my love for fishing as an adult when I was introduced to fly fishing. Time outside in nature helps bring me peace and joy, especially on the river. I hope to ignite a passion for the outdoors and finding happiness with a hobby, like fly fishing!
DAKOTA EMDE, MENTOR
Peyton, Colorado
I started fly fishing on and off in 11 mile canyon as a kid beca use I grew up in Colorado Springs. After high school I went off into the Army to work on ground radio systems. I moved back to Colorado Springs in 2018 to work on space systems and have been an avid fly fishmen ever since. I also tie flies every night ranging from small size 26 flies all the way up to size 6/0 musky flies.
NICK PALASKI, MENTOR
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Nick grew up fishing in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. At the age of 5, his Dad gave him his first rod and taught him how to catch native brook trout on the tiny mountain streams near their cabin. As Nick grew older, his love of fly fishing grew with him. At the age of 10 he started to teach himself how to tie his own flies and when he turned 16, with his newly acquired driver’s license, would disappear for days at a time in search of new waters.
After Nick graduated from high school, he attended West Virginia University where he received a BS in Geology. Here, he became involved with the University’s fly fishing club, teaching fly tying classes to various age groups and leading fly fishing trips to the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Currently, Nick resides in Colorado Springs where he continues to explore the back country and high alpine areas of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. He has also expanded his fishing adventures to parts of Florida, Louisiana, Mexico and the Bahamas in pursuit of new saltwater species.
Nick joined the Mayfly project because he is forever grateful for being introduced to fly fishing at a young age and being able to carry it with him throughout his life. The opportunities it has given him, the amazing places and things he has been able to experience through it and the life long friendships he has made along the way are the things that he cherishes the most in life and he hopes to introduce and share every beautiful thing that fly fishing has to offer with those who may otherwise never get the chance experience it.
ADAM DUNTON, MENTOR
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Adam grew up in Georgia and fell in love with fly fishing in the north Georgia mountains during his college and grad school years. After graduating with his doctorate in physical therapy, he relocated to Colorado Springs to be closer to some of the best fly fishing in the U.S. Adam grew a passion for mentoring youth through years as a camp counselor in North Carolina. Being part of The Mayfly Project gives Adam the opportunity to bring his passion of fly fishing to youth that could spur on a lifelong peace found in the great outdoors.
JACOB CHRISTIAN, MENTOR
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Growing up on the East Coast, Jacob started fishing in the North Georgia Mountains after graduating college. Now living in Colorado Springs he enjoys all that Colorado has to offer. He hopes to pass the peace that can be found on the water along to others.
“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after” – Thoreau
Ben Cunningham, MENTOR
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Growing up in small town Wyoming on the family ranch, the outdoors and volunteerism was an important part of his life. He fished for trout in creeks, rivers, and lakes until he made his way to Sioux Falls, SD for college. It was there he learned that fly fishing wasn’t just for trout. Chasing northern pike, bass, and carp opened up a whole new world of fly fishing for him. Now in Colorado Springs, he strives to show people that there are so many opportunities to fly fish no matter where you live and you just gotta get out there and fish. Passing this onto the next generation is something he looks forward to as part of the Pikes Peak Chapter.
SEAN SMITH, MENTOR
Woodland Park, Colorado
Sean grew up in the southeast US but calls Tennessee his childhood home. He had an affinity for fishing but never had a mentor to show him the ropes. He was given a fly rod the day before his wedding and has been casting fur and feather ever since. Once he stopped hooking himself in the back of his head and arms, he taught wounded veterans fly casting/ tying through Project Healing Waters while stationed in Washington, D.C. As a pediatrician, he witnesses the phenomenal resilience that kids can demonstrate when an adult makes them feel valuable and important. Sean eagerly anticipates meeting these incredible kids, sharing his love of fishing, and witnessing the joy of a new discovery on their faces.
CONNELL O’GRADY, MENTOR
As a self-taught Fly Fishermen, Connell has been avid about the sport for the last twenty five years. His journey on the road of fishing has taken him to small creeks, high alpine lakes, rivers, and to several saltwater flats, including chasing Tarpon and Permit in Belize and Florida. Currently, Connell is The Drift Fly Shop Head Guide and loves getting clients into big, happy trout. He is also an Elite Pro for Sage. Fly fishing is not just always on this man’s mind…it’s in his blood.
DEBBIE BETTS, MENTOR
Since she could walk, Debbie has been fly fishing with her Dad, an avid angler, who
introduced her to the sport and it quickly became a passion that was passed down from
him to her. Over the years, fly fishing became an art form and literally a lifestyle to
Debbie, not just a hobby. For more than 30 years now, she has been rowing, guiding
and navigating technical waters all over the US, including some favorite rivers in
remote Alaska! Her newest venture, in recent years, has been hosting week long salt
water fishing trips in Mexico & Belize. Every year, Debbie feels enormously blessed and looks forward to being able to share her passion of fly fishing with all involved in the MayFly Project, but especially the kids.
MICHAEL MARES, MENTOR
Michael, originally from Indiana, developed a love for the outdoors from long days by the river jigging for crappie and walleye. But his true passion for fly fishing was discovered after college, thanks to countless hours of watching Tom Rosenbauer videos. While working at a community mental health center, he even spent his lunch breaks practicing fly casts and would take adult group home clients fishing to teach coping skills. In 2020, Michael moved to Colorado and quickly fell in love with the Rocky Mountains and trout streams. Along with conservation, he’s always been dedicated to helping others, whether as a behavioral health clinician, child welfare caseworker, or now as an educator in youth sports and social work graduate student.
BENJAMIN EPPLEY, MENTOR
I grew up in Ohio, spending my childhood fishing for bass, bluegill, and catfish in farm ponds, creeks, and rivers near my home. In 2015, I discovered fly fishing as a way to unwind after work, and it quickly became a regular part of my life when I moved to Woodland Park in 2020. Fly fishing holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. It offers time in nature, opportunities to learn about the world, and moments to reset and reflect. Beyond that, it instills invaluable life lessons like patience, perseverance, optimism, and self-reliance. My goal is to share these lessons—and the pure joy of fly fishing—with younger generations and anyone I have the chance to fish alongside. And most importantly, to have fun!!
GREG DIANO, MENTOR
Greg grew up fishing with his grandfather chasing trout and saltwater species all over the west including many lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean in California. He learned to fly fish in 2013 and from the moment he caught his first trout on a fly rod, he was “hooked” and never looked back. Greg moved to Colorado in 2018, where fly fishing became his true passion after seeing the endless opportunities the state provides. Wanting to give back and being able to share his life long experiences, passions and personal journey in the fishing community, becoming a mentor for the Pikes Peak Mayfly Project is not only exciting, but truly inspiring!
DEB WETHERBEE, MENTOR
After showing and raising quarter horses for 30+ years I needed a new and exciting passion. Eight years ago I took up Fly Fishing and never looked back , it is a passion which has enriched my life and has taken me places all over the states and world in search of species and techniques both Fresh and SaltWater. I have made close friends and built lasting friendships thru groups and trips. I now would love to share my passion to the younger generation and show them how it can be challenging and rewarding at the same time but frustrating. Even on those slow days I look around in awe of our surroundings and think of nothing more as I relax into natures beauty.
KATHY EMTER, MENTOR
Kathy was born and raised in Ohio, where she developed a love for fishing and the water at an early age. In 2004, Kathy moved to Colorado and quickly grew fond of the state’s stunning mountains and outdoor lifestyle. She learned to fly fish as a way to explore mountain streams and high alpine lakes, and finds enjoyment in the balance of technique, mindfulness, and the meditative experience of the hobby. For Kathy, fly fishing is a way to connect with nature and unwind in some of the most beautiful places around. Looking ahead, she is excited to teach kids that fly fishing can be a life long passion. They can develop a love for being in nature and become responsible stewards of the outdoors in the future.
RYAN MITCHELTREE, MENTOR
Originally from Pennsylvania, Ryan moved to Colorado in 2021 with a passion for exploring the outdoors. He works as a software consultant for his day job, but spends his time fly-fishing, tying flies, swimming, baking, or hanging out at home with his cats. He’s had the desire to get involved with community and upon stumbling upon the Mayfly Project, he felt it to be the perfect opportunity to share his positive outlook on life and adventurous spirit with children.
COLEMAN FAIRBURN, MENTOR
I am originally from Central North Carolina. I grew up traditional fishing with my dad in lakes and ponds for bass and bluegill. I started fly-fishing while in college at App State in Boone, NC. When the pandemic hit, I took to the streams, which really ignited my passion for connecting to nature and learning about the ecosystems of the local cold mountain waters. I now live in Colorado Springs with my wife, Emma, and orange tabby cat, Nemo. I am a project manager for a construction company but take every chance I get to head up into the mountains and explore new trout waters.
I am excited to share my passion of fly-fishing and help guide the next generation toward the many lessons to be learned by the natural world.
LESLEE WAGGENER, MENTOR
Leslee grew up in the Denver area, where she often fished in the mountains with her family. Her passion for fly fishing blossomed in the early 90s, and she enjoys fishing both streams and lakes. Leslee appreciates the challenges fly fishing presents, as well as the opportunity to pause and connect with nature. She is excited to mentor youth who are new to the sport, with the goal of getting them “hooked” on fly fishing! When she’s not casting a line at home or nearby, Leslee loves spending time with her granddaughter and exploring new destinations through travel.
VIOLA RODRIGUEZ, MENTOR
I’m a Colorado native and have a passion for the outdoors. I have spent my life fishing and hiking all the beautiful places in Colorado. Fly fishing for me is such a peaceful, tranquil and engaging hobby that I love to share with others.
News & Events
2024 impact!
Take a look at the impact we had in 2024! Thank you to everyone for making this possible. From donors and sponsors, to advisors and mentors, we could not do this without all of YOU! Stay in the loop with news, events, and updates from The Mayfly Project[ninja_form...
A closer look at the Roanoke, Virginia project impact!
Scott Barrier, the lead mentor for the Roanoke, Virginia project, talks with News10 about the benefits and lasting impact fly fishing can have on foster youth. Scott and the amazing mentors in Roanoke are doing amazing work! Check out the article and video below!...
Clean Up from Hurricane Helene, Mentor Highlight!
We’re honored to highlight one of our mentors who is not only a huge asset to TMP in Boone, North Carolina, but has been a hero in her community during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, 2024. Her name is Kelly McCoy—she is known in her community as the ‘Rivergirl’—a...
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