San Francisco, California Project

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San Francisco, California Project

Project Mentors

TIM MURRAY, LEAD MENTOR

Walnut Creek, California

Born in Nevada and raised in Northern California, Tim was hooked on the outdoors after his first camping trip at the age of two. Most of Tim’s fly fishing experience started quite a bit later, as he began exploring many of California’s storied rivers and streams as a teenager (and to this day, still has a soft spot for a good day at Hat Creek PH2). Tim, his wife, two children and their labrador retriever, Mazey, currently live in Walnut Creek, CA, where they enjoy hiking, fishing and eating lots of pizza. Tim joined the Mayfly Project in 2020, and looks forward to helping foster children develop a positive relationship with nature that will be a strong force for good in their lives.

MICHAEL MARSDEN, CO-LEAD MENTOR

San Francisco, California

Northern California born and raised. Michael grew up fishing the rivers and lakes in the foothills and high Sierra mountains. He stared fishing for bass and trout with conventional gear then began fly fishing as a teenager and never looked back. Michael has worked in the Bay Area as an environmental hydrogeologist for over 35 year but cherishes the peace brought by every moment spent fly fishing on the water. Michael looks forward to helping these kids find that same peace through the Mayfly Project.

JULIA MITCHELL, MENTOR

Mill Valley, California

Long time California resident, Julia started fly fishing in 1999 at the suggestion of her mother who had tried it on a trip to Wyoming. Julia saw an article on a local fly-fishing seminar and asked her mom if she wanted to go…she was hooked! Julia has worked to get more people out fly fishing with her lead roles in local and global groups as well as environmental groups that focus on preserving our water. Her goal recently is to break down barriers to getting out on the water and showing people that fly fishing can be for everyone. She’s looking forward to bringing that enthusiasm to the San Francisco chapter of the Mayfly Project!

PETE FAZZINI, MENTOR

Los Gatos, California

After living in California for over two decades, Pete has advanced experience exploring the multiple fresh and saltwater fisheries California has to offer. After 10+ years on the water in southern California, he finally settled in the Bay Area where he’s spent considerable time angling for carp and saltwater striped bass. Pete is a member of the pro staff at Lost Coast Outfitters and never shy in encouraging folks to take care of their fishery and its resources.
With a drive to always be outdoors and a passion to share those experiences with others, he’s looking forward to becoming a mentor for the San Francisco Mayfly Project!

JOHN CHUNG, MENTOR

Redwood City, California

A California native, John grew up fishing for small wild trout in the San Gabriel mountains behind the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and sneaking onto the local golf course for bluegills. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1996 and resides in Redwood City with his wife Bethany and son, Cooper (8). He started fly fishing in 2017 and is a graduate of the Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club’s Learn to Fly Fish Program and is a regular host and mentor to the new anglers in the program. He is also an avid fly tier. He looks forward to his role as a mentor for the Mayfly Project in the San Francisco Bay Area.

SEAN SPEDIACCI, MENTOR

San Francisco, California

I’m a San Francisco local with a family history in the city that spans ~120+ years. I found fly fishing through the local Golden Gate Casting and Angling Club’s Learn to Fly Fish program and haven’t looked back since. I have a complicated family history where I ended up in the foster system during my teen years, so I understand the impact programs like this can have on kids who are looking to just be kids and learn something new in a positive environment. My only hope is to help create that space with fellow mentors and share what fishing knowledge I can.

KENNETH MORANDO, MENTOR

San Francisco, California

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, and now residing in Half Moon Bay CA with his wife Silvia and dogs Dutch and Lizzy, as a young man always enjoying the outdoors, started hunting and fishing in my teens with family and friends but flyfishing started later life, mostly leading towards steelhead in the pacific northwest and Canada, the pull from bigger and bigger fish leads me to Salt water Flyfishing, which I have traveled extensively around the world chasing! a member of Golden Gate Casting Club- Life member of Native Fish Society – life Member of Trout unlimited, I understand the need to teach others flyfishing and respect for our rivers and ocean. Mayfly project is where I hope to help pay it forward.

NICOLE LAZARUS, MENTOR

San Francisco, California

Nicole Lazarus was born and raised in San Francisco, California and spent part of her summers at her family cabin on Lake Shasta where the seeds of a connection to nature were planted and a curiosity about the natural world was born. She taught herself to fly fish, but it wasn’t until she met Wayne Eng, a teaching guide, that she actually began to learn about the many aspects of fly fishing. She considers the river as her lifelong classroom that is ever changing. The river and its lessons helps her to maneuver through life’s ups and down. She is a new mentor at the Mayfly Project and can’t wait to meet up with the kids and other mentors

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