As unpredictable and difficult as 2020 has been, some organizations can’t afford to slow down. Conservation goups that support fisheries and wild places have kept at it the whole time. More importantly, fly fishing  programs which support people have increased their efforts to come alongside those who need help the most.

The Mayfly Project, an organization which supports foster children through fly fishing, has not slowed down one bit.

In fact, The Mayfly Project has stepped up to help these children face the added challenges that  have come in 2020. Totally new projects have been kicked off in Arkansas, Idaho, and Oregon. Additional projects are in the wings, and will hopefully start up as areas “open up” from COVID restrictions. A partnership with a fly shop in Minnesota has lead to support  as well as sharing fly fishing with the local community.

Still, many existing projects around the country have not been able to carry out business as usual – mentors spending time with kids on and off the water. The Mayfly Project has sought to keep connected with foster kids. They had masks made and sent to volunteers and adapted their activities to local guidelines. With help from donors, partners, and volunteers, over 300 fly tying kits have been mailed to children.  Videos were produced so kids could follow along and learn to tie.

The continued support of partners in the fly fishing community has been integral for The Mayfly Project. This fall, during the months of September and October, they are continuing to raise awareness and funds through their 4th annual One Fly  Event.

In a traditional one fly angling tournament the goal is to use a single fly to outfish the competition. In the One Fly Event from The Mayfly Project, your purchase of even one fly can help sustain the important work of helping kids through fly fishing. Each fly costs $5. But accompanying each fly purchase, you receive a chance to win from an assortment of great fly fishing prizes. They include:

• Diablo Paddlesports Paddleboard/Kayak
• Custom Abel Reel
• Custom Sarabella Rod
• Hand-painted Vans by Wes Ashcraft
• River Quiver 4-Banger Rooftop Rod Rack
• Sight Line Provisions Package
• Sweetwater Fly Rod
• Signed Copies of Down By The River

Flies can be purchased  on The Mayfly Project’s One Fly Event website. Winners will be picked on Facebook Live on October 31st.

This outstanding program is absolutely worth watching and supporting. I encourage you to not only check out the One Fly Event and it’s prizes, but also spend some time reading and watching the stories of the amazing work that The Mayfly Project is doing with kids in foster care.

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Want to hear some real stories from those who are actually working and fishing with the foster children that The Mayfly Project serves? Check out my interviews with Project Mentors Greg Lunsford and Heather Sees.