Fly fishing today was the most fun I’ve ever had!
Portland, Oregon Project
Project Lead Mentor: Kayla Lockhart
Project location: Portland, Oregon
Year project founded: 2021
Mentors on this team: 10
Children mentored to date: 0
Children to be mentored in 2021: 6-8
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)
Apply to Mentor Here
Contact us about supporting this project or getting involved: Kayla.flyfishing@gmail.com

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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

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.
News & Events
You Are Cool!
You are Cool! By Jay Langston, Little Rock Project Yesterday, at our project outing, I was fly fishing with a middle school-aged child from our local foster care group home in Arkansas. Towards the end of the project I said, “You are a super cool dude!" He looked away...
Podcast with April Vokey, Anchored Outdoors
We were thrilled to be on Anchored Outdoors Podcast, with the talented, April Vokey! Please check this podcast out and find out more about the founders, their vision, and how TMP is supporting foster children across the country here: Anchored Podcast Ep. 177: Jess...
The Gift of Fly Fishing, Fort Collins, CO
"Hello Bryan and Chelsea, I just wanted to share this great picture of Alicia catching a beautiful rainbow trout (I think) while we camped along the North Fork of the Gunnison River in Paonia. She really enjoyed fly fishing while out there and you can tell by the look...
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Portland, Oregon Project
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