Richmond, Virginia Project

Dan Genest is a husband, father, grandfather and fly fisherman.

Born in 1954, he is retired from Dominion Energy and devotes his time to family, flyfishing and volunteering for Project Healing Waters.

A self-taught fly caster at age 12, he did not become an avid fly angler until the late 1980s. Since that time, he fly fishes as often as he can for anything with fins. His goal is to continue to learn and improve his fishing skills.

He is a past president of the Fly Fishers of Virginia and has been a volunteer with Project Healing Waters since 2006

As a retired nurse originally from Roanoke and Bent Mountain, Virginia, I had a career caring for others. Fifteen years ago, I discovered an interest in fly fishing and is now a central part of my life. After moving to Richmond, Virginia, ten years ago, I continued to explore this interest, frequently returning to Southwest Virginia to visit family/friends to fish and engage in outdoor activities. In retirement, I have embraced the opportunity to delve deeper into fly fishing and give back to the community by volunteering with the Department of Wildlife (DWR) and to participate with Mayfly activities. This combination of personal passion and community service, especially with youth, has made my retirement years both fulfilling and impactful.

 I have lived in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia all my life, and have a passion for the outdoors. Fishing is a hobby that I have been involved in for many hears, with fly fishing being my main focus the past few years. I currently work for Newport News Shipbuilding, but have worked with children in many settings during my time as a Recreation, Parks, and Tourism major at Radford University. I hope to instill a love of nature, and a knowledge of fish and conservation for future generations.

Matt has lived in the metro Richmond, Virginia area for most of his life. He enjoys both fly fishing and fly tying, valuing the learning opportunities that come from time spent on the water and at the tying bench. Matt currently serves as the Secretary for the Fly Fishers of Virginia. Through mentoring with the Mayfly Project, he hopes to share the lessons fly fishing has taught him and help inspire the next generation of anglers.

I’m 54 years old and have decades of experience with and love for rivers and fishing.

I grew up in West Virginia and graduated for college in Virginia. I majored in Biology and that is how I got interested in fly fishing and the study of Bugs and water. In 2007, our family moved to Williamsburg Virginia.
I have worked in the Heavy Highway Construction Industry managing civil construction projects in the Richmond, Williamsburg and Virginia Beach areas. I have semi retired and managing the Mentoring Program for the company that I have been working work for 15 years.
Four years ago I got involved in teaching an environmental science class on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Ethete, Wyoming at Wind River Indian High School. Our students are from the Shoshone and Norther Arapahoe Tribes.

I am a retired mother/infant Registered Nurse of 30 years.
I grew up spending the majority of my time outdoors.
My interest in fly fishing started about 3 years ago. I absolutely love being on the water, whether it be a river, quiet creek or the ocean.
It’s my happy, relaxed place and I hope I can share this with these young folks and make forever memories for them.
I am honored to be a part of this project!

Richard’s learned to cast a fly rod chasing Rockfish (saltwater striped bass) on Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay, but his love for the mountains took him to colder waters. Having fly fished all over North America, he primarily fishes for trout in the high country of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including numerous tailwaters through TN, NC and Virginia, as well as up in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, while still targeting saltwater game fish on the Bay, and chasing smallies and the shad run closer to home one the James River.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina, and die-hard Tarheel, professionally, Richard is a senior government relations professional with a large financial services and tech company, with a wife and daughter at home.

Tori Martin grew up fishing the eastern shore of Maryland, where a lifelong passion for the water took root early. In 2020, she discovered fly fishing, and it opened an entirely new world, drawing her into the mountain streams of the Shenandoah Valley, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

These days, Tori does most of her fly fishing close to home in the Richmond, VA area. She is also a co-founder of Richmond Fly Women, a community that has brought her immense joy and connection, and one she pours her heart into.

As a mentor with the Mayfly Project, Tori hopes to share that same sense of wonder and belonging with the next generation of anglers.

Growing up in Pennsylvania and moving frequently as a Navy wife, we now call Richmond home. I am a retired mathematics teacher and am currently enjoying my free time working on improving my fly fishing skills. I have only been fly fishing for about 10 years, but it has quickly become one of my favorite hobbies that I share with my husband. Being a mentor in the Mayfly Project will allow me to combine my love of teaching, my respect for nature, and my commitment to helping others. I am excited to share this passion with others!

Tim is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer who enjoys the challenge both offer. His favorite place to fish is the Shenandoah River. A native of Southern California, Tim has been living in the Richmond area for over 40 years. He is currently the co-chair of the Education and Special Events Committee with the Fly Fishers of Virginia and has helped coordinate outings for the Fly Fishers with local youth and military personnel. Tim has been a school social worker in the Richmond area for 35 years and works closely with local students, families, and the agencies that serve them. He is delighted to be helping with The Mayfly Project in Richmond.