If we were able to not only get these kids to fall in love with the sport, but to find those relationships with others through the sport, we would have accomplished an incredible thing. Relationships are one of the keys to success in life, for them to learn this skill through fly fishing that would be highest of achievements
St. Petersburg, Florida Project
Lead Mentor: Scott Russell
Project location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Year project founded: 2019
Mentors on this team: 8 (Currently accepting mentor applications)
Children mentored to date: 12
Children to be mentored in 2024: 8
Local foster care partners: Salvation Army (Multiple group homes)
Local companies that support this project: Greys, IGFA, Cortland, and Andy Mill.

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St. Petersburg, Florida Project
So…being a mentor with TMP allows a fly fishing geek like me to both spend time talking about a sport I love and teach foster children a great way to just relax and take a break from their daily struggles? Sign me up!
Project Mentors

SCOTT RUSSELL, LEAD MENTOR
Treasure Island, Florida
Scott was raised in the Tampa Bay area and whether he was windsurfing, boating, wakeboarding, or fishing, you would probably find him on the water somewhere during his free time. Although he loves all types of fishing, fly fishing is his passion/obsession. When not running his financial business or on the water, he enjoys volunteering at his church and in his community, including serving as a small group youth leader. Scott and his family are very familiar with the struggles many foster kids face. The Mayfly Project has provided him the perfect opportunity to combine his desire to help foster youth with his passion for fly fishing.

CHRISTIE RUSSELL, MENTOR
Treasure Island, Florida
Christie was raised in the Tampa Bay area and has never found a reason to leave, especially since she thinks anything north of Florida is just too cold. When not managing IT departments and projects, she loves the outdoors and in particular, boating. She can often be found with her daughter sunning on the bow of their boat while her husband and son are casting off the stern. Although fishing isn’t her thing, helping others, particularly children, is. The Mayfly Project allows her to use her organizational skills to help plan the outings and to make sure they keep the most important thing in mind, having fun!

TIM ELMS, MENTOR
St. Petersburg, Florida
Tim was born and raised in Denver, CO. He started fly fishing with his brother for trout in the Rockies. In 2018 Tim and his wife moved to St. Petersburg, where he now fly fishes for all kinds of salty and freshwater species. You can usually find him fishing for snook, bass, and tarpon all over town in ditches and ponds. Tim is an avid member of Suncoast Fly Fishers, and currently writes articles for their newsletter and is their web designer. Having grown up in a large family, Tim loves working with children from all kinds of backgrounds.

DENNIS MARQUIS, MENTOR
Tierra Verde, Florida
About 15 years past, Dennis was introduced to saltwater fly fishing by a fishing guide in the coastal waters of New Jersey, where he fished for stripers, bluefish, and weakfish. Now retired in the St Petersburg, Florida area, he fishes for a variety of species like speckled trout, redfish and snook. Boat fishing, wade fishing or kayak fishing – it doesn’t matter, he enjoys it all. Dennis has always been involved in mentoring youth, while living in PA on his farm, he helped lead a 4H Sheep Club, in which he taught kids 8-18 how to raise and show sheep, while working on the good values of head, hearts, hands and health. Dennis decided to extend his mentoring of youth into his retirement by connecting them with his passion for fly fishing.

JACK COLLINS, MENTOR
Tampa, Florida
I am an engineer that loves fly fishing and have fished for many years. I tie my own flies and believe there is no better fishing experience than catching a fish on your own creation. I was so excited to share my knowledge with foster kids with the hope that they would also experience the same peace and satisfaction of fly fishing.
News & Events
It’s Giving Tuesday, 2023!!
November 28th, 2023 is Giving Tuesday, an important day for TMP where we work together to raise funds for 2024 Projects! If you cannot donate, please share our fundraisers with your friends and family. It takes a village!!! More Exciting News:We have a donor that will...
We’re Thankful for YOU!
As the founders of The Mayfly Project, our belief in the power of fly fishing and mentorship grows exponentially every season because of the wonderful leads and mentors joining our teams. The village of TMP is held together by our leads and mentors who make the time...
Virginia Department of Wildlife Services Support!
Our Virginia Projects were thrilled to receive grant support from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources this season! Because of their generosity, we were able to introduce fly fishing, teach our conservation initiative, and make the outdoors more accessible...
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St. Petersburg, Florida Project
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