Fly fishing today was the most fun I’ve ever had!
Portland, Oregon Project
Project Lead Mentor: David Long
Project location: Portland, Oregon
Year project founded: 2023
Mentors on this team: 18
Children mentored to date: 14
Children to be mentored in 2025: 8
Local foster care partners: Currently searching for local foster care connections and programs.
Local companies or programs that support this project: Tualatin Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter (West Portland), Fly Fishing Journal.
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Portland, Oregon Project
Fly fishing is my therapy and as someone that grew up in part of the foster care system, I know these kids need fly fishing too!
Project Mentors

DAVID LONG, LEAD MENTOR
Portland, Oregon
A native Oregonian, I started tying and fly fishing as a teenager in the lakes around my home waters of the McKenzie River and quickly fell in love. In 2018, I started Eko Patagonia, a place for people to visit and share in my love of the outdoors.
I prefer fly fishing for the therapeutic benefits I experience, and if conditions call for it, I am happy to grab a spinning rod too :). Either way; being in nature is a form of mindfulness, a way to become one with nature, and a means to forge a deeper connection with myself and perhaps something greater. I look forward to sharing the outdoors with others through The May Fly project.

HANNAH HAYWOOD, MENTOR
Portland, Oregon
Hannah is an artist and muralist who found her love for fly fishing through her passion for the outdoors. She has found that the same sense of tranquility and creativity she experienced in her art was also present on the water. Hannah believes that both fly fishing and art have the power to inspire, connect, and heal, and she feels grateful to have found such meaningful passions in her life.

ETHAN LIVERMORE, MENTOR
Portland, Oregon
Ethan Livermore is a Yakama/Filipino/White fly angler born and raised in Portland, OR, where his family has lived for many generations. His passion for angling started at a young age when his grandmother would take him camping at the many lakes that are sprinkled throughout the Cascade Range in Oregon. He is excited to share his passion and knowledge of fly angling and fly tying with young anglers and introducing them to our wonderful world of fishing.

ALESON MACFARLANE, MENTOR
Portland, Oregon
Growing up in Portland, she saved her allowance to buy a fishing rod and would bike to the Willamette River to fish. Her dad would take her and her younger brothers backpacking and Aleson always packed her rod. As the years passed, she switched to fly fishing (although not exclusively) and began spending time on the Deschutes, Crooked and other rivers and streams. She loves fishing, woodworking, camping and her two boxer dogs. She recently retired and is working on improving her fly fishing skills.

SARA SCHECHLA, MENTOR
Portland, Oregon
I am a Pacific Northwest native who grew up camping, hiking and fishing with my dad and brother. Fast forward a few years and I now enjoy all the same activities outside with my own family! Anytime I have an opportunity to get someone outside with me, it’s a great day. Fly fishing has become a bigger passion of mine over the last 3 years. I love seeing “who’s home” in the river or creek I am fishing that day. I look forward to helping others connect with nature through fly fishing with the Portland, OR Mayfly Project!

ERIC LEININGER, MENTOR
Portland, Oregon
Hello! I have been a full time fly fishing guide for the past 14 years and currently work at Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters located here in Portland, Oregon. I cut my teeth guiding in alaska for 9 summers and am extremely grateful for that experience. I am also lucky enough to work with some great companies that have supported me along the way. Simms, GLoomis, Hatch Outdoors, Scientific Anglers, Renzetti, Ahrex and Bajio have all been too kind. Looking forward to giving back to the community that has given me so much.
News & Events
Idaho DHW Highlights TMP and a new program for free fishing licenses!
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare highlights The Mayfly Project and a new program to give free fishing licenses to youth in extended foster care. From the article: For children in foster care, the effects of instability, stress, and trauma can be...
Virginia Wildlife Magazine highlights the Roanoke, VA project!
Thank you to the Virginia Wildlife magazine for highlighting our Roanoke, VA project in the Jan/Feb 2025 issue. Read the full article HERE! Courtesy of Virginia Wildlife magazine linked here: https://dwr.virginia.gov/virginia-wildlife/
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...
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Portland, Oregon Project
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