When he caught his first fish of the day, he jumped up and down, and all the other kids came running over to high-five him. Those are the moments that mean so much to these kids. He was hooked from that moment on!
Scranton, Pennsylvania Project
Lead Mentor: Karl Knepley
Project Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania
Year project founded: 2022
Mentors on this team: 7
Children mentored to date: 10
Children to be mentored in 2025: 6
Local foster care partners: TBA
Local companies/foundations that support this project: Currently adding community partnerships. Please contact us if you are interested in supporting this project!
Contact our Lead Mentor here: Karlknepley@gmail.com
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Scranton, Pennsylvania Project
Fly fishing is a wonderful sport that hyper-connects with nature, is super fun, and provides a refreshing oasis in a sometimes crazy world. I started fly fishing as a kid and it has become a lifelong passion that I love to share with others. And what a blast to share fly fishing with the next generation of kids!
Project Mentors
KARL KNEPLEY, LEAD MENTOR
Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania
I’m a retired executive that loves to fish, especially fly fish. I have fly fished and tied flies for 40+ years and enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with others. I love ice-cold, crystal clear native Brook trout creeks; technical limestone streams; and year round difficult tail waters. I’m blessed to fish the West Branch of the Delaware, New York’s Salmon River, the Dream Stream section of the South Platte, the Quality Waters section of New Mexico’s San Juan River, and high Sierra streams & lakes most years now. My most unusual fish landed was a 36” shovelnose guitar fish on a 4-weight fly rod (a real saltwater fish, think if a shark and ray had a baby).
RORY LISEFSKI, MENTOR
Newburgh, New York
I grew up in the Catskills and despite hearing about fly fishing my whole life didn’t get into it until after I moved away. Now I live in Newburgh NY and try to make it up to the mountains whenever I can. I also enjoy tying quite a bit. My favorite flies to tie are north country wet flies and soft hackles. Their simplicity really appeals to me.
BRIAN TUGEND, MENTOR
Moosic, PA
A Pennsylvania native, Brian grew up fishing with his father in the rivers and lakes of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Brian works in the investment management industry and has utilized fly fishing to relax outside the office. He has spent the last decade refining his fly fishing skills on the limestone streams of central PA, the freestones of NEPA, and the east coast’s most famous tailwater, the Upper Delaware River. Brian looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experiences with the next generation of fly fishers as a mentor for the Scranton Mayfly Project!
DAVID WEIGLE, MENTOR
Danville, PA
Moderately competent fly angler & tyer. I”m a husband, father, teacher, and learner. Born/Live/Fish central PA. If I’m not on Penns or Fishing Creek, I”m thinking about them.
News & Events
How Nocterra Brewing Boosted The Mayfly Project–Columbus
Brews, the Outdoors, and Big Hearts: How Nocterra Brewing Boosted The Mayfly Project–Columbus Fly fishing met fundraising in one of the most uplifting outdoor partnerships we’ve experienced. This isn’t just a story about raising money—it’s about connection,...
Idaho DHW Highlights TMP and a new program for free fishing licenses!
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare highlights The Mayfly Project and a new program to give free fishing licenses to youth in extended foster care. From the article: For children in foster care, the effects of instability, stress, and trauma can be...
Virginia Wildlife Magazine highlights the Roanoke, VA project!
Thank you to the Virginia Wildlife magazine for highlighting our Roanoke, VA project in the Jan/Feb 2025 issue. Read the full article HERE! Courtesy of Virginia Wildlife magazine linked here: https://dwr.virginia.gov/virginia-wildlife/
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Scranton, Pennsylvania Project
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