Portland, Oregon Project

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Portland, Oregon Project

Project Mentors

KAYLA LOCKHART, LEAD MENTOR

Portland, Oregon

Kayla Lockhart first discovered fly fishing to help cope with her depression and anxiety from a difficult upbringing. Today fly fishing has taken her exotic places in pursuit of some of the most exotic species of fish. In between these trips she leads the Portland chapter for the mayfly project.

ROSS RICHARDSON, MENTOR

Portland, Oregon

Born and raised in the mountains of Utah, Ross started fly fishing as a teenager and quickly fell in love with the sport as a way to explore new places, learn about ecosystems and practice conservation. In 2018, Ross moved to Portland, Oregon, and soon discovered the diversity of fly fishing opportunities available year round and close to the city. Equally happy chasing pan fish on a summer afternoon, playing in the waves looking for surf perch or standing in a cold run for winter steelhead, Ross sees himself as an equal opportunity angler. Every environment has its secret to teach and treasure to discover. He is incredibly excited to share this passion with The Mayfly Project.

TARYN SACCHITELLA, MENTOR

Portland, Oregon

Originally from a small seaside town outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Taryn left home at 18 to pursue life out West. She began fly fishing in 2013 when she lived in Wyoming and felt an immense connection to the waters and beauty of the sport, offering a new perspective on life and healing. Now living in Portland, Oregon, Taryn works in human services serving individuals in need of behavioral and mental health supports. In her free time, she is most likely fly fishing, and enjoys traveling anywhere that offers new land and water. Taryn is excited about her new role as a mentor and hopes to combine her passion for fishing with the impact it made on her life to help Mayfly children forge their own path towards personal growth.

DAVID COSNER, MENTOR

Portland, Oregon

A Pennsylvania native, David fished the smalls streams of Eastern PA with his brother and father growing up. After college in NYC, David moved to the West Coast for 3 years before making the trek back east in 2021. After switching over to fly fishing in college David has never looked back. He is excited to start working with the Mayfly project and getting people outdoors.

OWEN SPENCER, MENTOR

Portland, Oregon

Maryland raised and now living in Oregon, Owen finds common ground wherever he ends up. A city kid with a rural heart he sees peace in nature and beauty within cityscapes. Owen only discovered fly fishing a few years ago. What started as an interest grew into an obsession once he landed his first fish. Whether on the water, tying flies, or building bamboo rods he loves it all. Owen looks forward to sharing his passion and providing an amazing experience for the kids he works with.

BRETT DUNNAM, MENTOR

McMinnville, Oregon

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Brett was introduced to fly fishing at 13 by his dad in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. After spending time in Illinois and Rhode Island, he has been working full time as an architect in Oregon since 2013. He’s excited to share his passion for everything the outdoors has to offer with the children participating in the Mayfly Project in Portland, OR.

BRIAN KEECHLE, MENTOR

Milwaukie, Oregon

I started fishing at the age of 5! I spent many days alongside my father and grandfather fishing for trout in the great Pacific Northwest. Early on, I came to love being outdoors, spending time hiking, camping hunting and of course fishing. As I grew older, I became more and more fascinated with fly fishing, I got my first fly rod as a Christmas gift when I was 13, one spring I was fishing on the Deschutes during a camping trip, and hooked a nice little wild trout, after that I was hooked. I still enjoy conventional fishing, but I love to catch trout, bass and panfish on the fly! I love sharing my experiences and knowledge with kids whenever I get the opportunity, there is nothing better than seeing a kid catch their first fish!

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.

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