Salt Lake City, Utah Project

Fly fishing today was the most fun
I’ve ever had!

Mentee

The Mayfly Project

Project Location

Salt Lake City, Utah

 

Year Project Founded

2020

Project Lead Mentors

Kelly Mattingly and Tyler Kunz

 

Mentors on this team

20

Children mentored to date

22

 

Children to be mentored in 2025

10

Local foster care partners

Currently searching for local foster care connections and programs.

Local companies that support this project

Currently searching for local partners and community support!

Apply to Mentor

For more questions about this project,
contact Kelly Mattingly and Tyler Kunz at:
fishmatt61@gmail.com

Support the Salt Lake City, Utah Project

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I’m passionate about serving local foster children with The Mayfly Project because I believe in what fly fishing can do for them!

Rebecca Granillo, Lead Mentor

Salt Lake City, Utah Project

Project Mentors

Kelly Mattingly, Lead Mentor
Kelly is now retired from working with children in the psychiatric field for the past 30. Of course, being retired means more time to fish! Growing up, her family spent their vacations camping and fishing. As a result, she was holding a pole before she could walk (but this doesn’t mean she’s an expert)! When she started having children, the tradition continued and her children learned to love the outdoors as well. When her oldest son started fly fishing, he started teaching her to fly fish. The Mayfly Project combines both of her favorite things. She can’t wait to pass along her love of the outdoors and encourage kids to learn this amazing new skill.
Tyler Kunz, Co-Lead Mentor
Growing up in Utah Tyler has had a lifetime of outdoor adventures. He grew up fishing with his family at lake Powell where he discovered that sunfish love velveeta cheese! It was then he discovered a passion for all things fishy! He picked up his first fly rod at 20 years old after a surprise fly fishing trip to Montana with his dad. From that day forward he always had a fly rod in his hands looking for the next fishing adventure! He is excited to carry over his passion for fly fishing to his role as Co-Lead with The Mayfly Project.
Rebeca Granillo, Mentor
Rebeca Reyes Granillo is a Utah Fly Fishing Teacher & Guide with over a decade of experience on her local rivers, lakes & streams.

Alongside guiding, Rebeca can be found volunteering her time with various nonprofit fly fishing groups & organizations such as The Mayfly Project. Rebeca started the Salt Lake City Mayfly Project chapter and enjoys her time on the team as a Mentor.

As a mother, Rebeca understands the importance of getting youth involved in the outdoors. She hopes to inspire participants to join in on this fly fishing journey while also encouraging them to help preserve the resources that allow us to enjoy our wonderful experiences on the water.

Jarren Brinton, Mentor
I grew up in Salt Lake for just about all my life. I graduated with a degree in psychology and have started working as a special education teacher in a high school. I love fly fishing and all kinds of fishing.
David McCray, Mentor
David grew up in Oklahoma fishing farm ponds. After moving to Utah, he enjoyed learning to fly fish in cold, running water. He has since worked in Salt Lake City, then NW New Mexico, then back to Salt Lake City. He is a retired trauma and acute care surgeon and now enjoys spending time with his wife and dog. He also enjoys tying and fishing flies. In addition to getting to know some fine people, he hopes to impart his love of fly fishing and the outdoors to the children in this project.
Jake Knight, Mentor
Jake Knight grew up in a small town in Ohio but has now lived in Utah longer than he did there. Jake enjoys serving the community as a local law enforcement officer which he has been doing for over 16 years. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find Jake somewhere outside with his wife and three dogs. He enjoys fly fishing, camping, hiking, biking, and anything else that gets him outside. Jake looks forward to sharing his passion for the outdoors with everyone involved in the Mayfly Project.
James Farrell, Mentor
A New Jersey native, Jim grew up fishing primarily salt water until relocating to Salt Lake City in 2005. After a day on the Provo and Weber rivers with a good friend and guide, Jim was literally hooked on fly fishing. Raising three kids with his wife of 39 years, Jim coached and mentored many children in multiple sports and also participated in many charitable activities. After teaching his son to fly fish as well as several clients over the years, Jim wants to share his passion for fly fishing and just being outdoors as well as giving back to the community.
Kyle Hansen, Mentor
A New Jersey native, Jim grew up fishing primarily salt water until relocating to Salt Lake City in 2005. After a day on the Provo and Weber rivers with a good friend and guide, Jim was literally hooked on fly fishing. Raising three kids with his wife of 39 years, Jim coached and mentored many children in multiple sports and also participated in many charitable activities. After teaching his son to fly fish as well as several clients over the years, Jim wants to share his passion for fly fishing and just being outdoors as well as giving back to the community.
Benjamin Palmer, Mentor
Benjamin was born and raised in the Utah Mountains. He spent his childhood helping his dad at summer camp. Growing up in a non fishing family he talked his parents into a fishing pole when he was 8 years old. Relying on others to teach him, he took every opportunity to learn from anyone who would give him fishing advice. Moving to Spanish Fork, Benjamin made friends with a old fly fishing guide who took him under his wing and taught him the wonder of fly fishing and he has never looked back. Benjamin guided fly fishing for a few years with his new friend. Acknowledging that his success has come at the mentoring of others, Benjamin has spent the last 10 years sharing his love for fly fishing by teaching youth groups and community classes.
Lucy Beecroft, Mentor
A New York native, Lucy has fond childhood memories of sitting next to her grandparents as they fished off the pier of the Bay Shore NY Marina. Her grandparents loved to fish together. Now as an adult Lucy spends her vacations and weekends fishing along side her life partner. Lucy has a deep love for fly-fishing and is constantly seeking knowledge and opportunity to talk about fishing. She has experienced for herself the healing of the spirit, mind, and body that fly-fishing and nature offers. She hopes to share her love for fishing and nature as a mentor.
Nyssa Stephanos, Mentor
Being an Utah native, Nyssa has grown up being adventurous in all the elements. She’s been fishing for over 40 years with a spin rod and found her love for fly fishing in 2015. She also loves hiking, camping, geo-caching and searching for hot springs. She joined the Mayfly Project in 2020
Bob Greeneisen, Mentor
An Ohio boy at heart, Bob grew up fishing lakes in Michigan and Ohio. Lots of trolling, casting, bobbers, and whatever he could use to get a fish on the line. Bob has been in Utah since 2006, but it was not until the summer of 2019 that he discovered fly fishing. Covid happened and the rivers became his refuge and solace. These days Bob is on the river or in the mountains every chance he gets. While catching fish is fun, it is really the beauty of nature and the ever-changing landscapes that draw him back. His favorite adage is “Sometimes catching fish gets in the way of fishing!” Bob is looking forward to sharing the amazing river life offered in this area here with the Salt Lake City Mayfly project and the young adults looking to get outside.
Shandon Johnson, Mentor
With roots in rural Utah, I grew up with a love for working with my hands, tearing things apart, figuring out how they go back together, playing any sport available, spending time with family, and of course, fishing. My wife and I settled in Pleasant Grove, Utah in 2022. I currently work as a Wealth Advisor in Salt Lake. While going to school, I had the chance to work at a local outdoors big box store. I got to rub shoulders with some master anglers who taught me about many different kinds of fishing. I fell in love with fly fishing, and ever since– any free moment has been tied to how I can go fly fishing. I’m looking forward sharing that passion as mentor in the Salt Lake City Mayfly Project.
Maria Ruefenacht, Mentor
Maria is a Salt Lake local. One of the things Maria loves about fly fishing is how different it can be. There are days where she is deeply focused on catching fish and days where she covers miles walking and exploring. Her favorite fishing adventures are those found in the backcountry of Idaho and Montana. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and skills with the Mayfly Project!
Troy Hanson, Mentor
I grew up in Salt Lake City and have been fly fishing for over 40 yrs. My favorite places to fish are Utah Idaho and Montana. I have loved every minute with the Mayfly project. Sharing my passion and seeing the kids learning and enjoying their time on the water is so fulfilling!!! My other passions include golf, camping and hunting with friends and family.
Mike Larsen, Mentor
Born and raised in Utah, Mike grew up fishing with his dad. His dad was an amazing fisherman and taught him how to read the river to know where the fish are most likely to be. They fished the Provo and Weber rivers which were close to home and the Madison River which is to this day Mikes favorite river. There is nothing like being out on the water. He is retired and loves fishing and teaching others to fish. He is looking forward to working with the children and teaching them to catch fish.
Lyndsey Calton, Mentor

Born and raised in northern Utah, right next to Antelope Island – Lyndsey has always been close to all things outdoors (both physically and in spirit).

Upon returning from a Afghanistan with the Army in 2020 – Lyndsey became “hooked” on fly-fishing to facilitate her battle with combat PTSD. She has an immense appreciation and respect for the fly-fishing community, the rivers and lakes, and of course – the incredible fish (regardless of size) that continuously provide their time, talents, power, and lack of judgement.

She is committed to and grateful for the opportunity to share her growing knowledge of “fly-therapy” with others, especially kids – who can benefit in similar ways that she has.

Brandi Dufek, Mentor

My name is Brandi Dufek. I’m a lifelong fly angler and behavioral health professional with experience mentoring youth in foster care and individuals with diverse abilities. I was introduced to fly fishing by my father, whose quiet guidance taught me patience, presence, and perseverance—values that continue to shape my approach both on and off the water. With a background in trauma-informed care, I recognize the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces where youth can build confidence and discover their strengths. Through The Mayfly Project, I’m proud to support participants in connecting with nature, learning new skills, and experiencing the peace, growth, and joy that fly fishing can offer—one cast at a time.

Kimball Russell, Mentor

Kimball is an Idaho native and grew up fishing nearby rivers including the Henry’s Fork and Teton River. He moved to Utah to study Applied Mathematics at Brigham Young University where he met his beautiful wife. They now have twin toddler boys who like to join family fishing trips. Kimball also enjoys playing the bagpipes, bird dogs, and other sports. He grew up with 20+ nephews and nieces and loves to mentor children and youth.