ROANOKE, Virginia. – The Mayfly Project is a national 501(c)(3) organization that uses fly fishing as a catalyst to mentor and support children in foster care.

The Mayfly Project’s mission is to support children in foster care through fly fishing and introduce them to their local aquatic ecosystems, in the hope that connecting them to an enriching hobby will provide foster children in host family the opportunity to have fun, build their self-confidence and develop a meaningful connection with the outdoors.

Helen and Scott Barrier lead the Roanoke area group, where mentors teach kids ages 8 to 18 how to fly fish from the beginning.

“Nationally, most people who participate in the program have never fly fished before. We have to introduce them, not only to fly fishing, but also to the fly rod, how to put it together, how to put the line. From start to finish, we teach them everything,” Scott said.

When children complete the program, they receive all the equipment they need to continue fly fishing.

“The goal is to give them brain rest, to give them coping mechanisms other than what they might find in the everyday world,” Scott said. “Go out, learn a skill that they can use for the rest of their lives from that point on. Enjoy nature, enjoy the sound of water. Be alone, be focused, be with someone they love and maybe enjoy being with them because they are not alone but just focusing on something that takes their mind off their daily worries.

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Each child is paired with at least two mentors, who have training in the basics of fishing and have worked with children who have experienced trauma, such as children in the foster care system.

“I love working with children. I train kids in my own business and have been fly fishing since I was 10 years old,” said Shane Schubert, one of the Roanoke Mayfly Project mentors. “When I discovered the Mayfly Project and that it was working with children who needed us as adults, I couldn’t not do it.”

Seven children completed the program earlier this year, including Devin.

“It’s helped Devin and I bond in a way that gives him an opportunity to teach me things. Normally it’s me trying to teach him something, and the things he’s learned with this organization, he’s able to teach me things I never dreamed of. Everything from how to tie a lure to how to cast. These are things I thought I knew, but I didn’t,” said Carlos Persinger, Devin’s adoptive father.

Skylar didn’t know what fly fishing was before she started with Mayfly.

“This has just been a great opportunity for him to break free. It gives him pleasure, gives him the opportunity to be himself, gives him a chance to do what he wants. He can be that independent teenager that he needs to be,” Sam Stump said.

“Young people love one-on-one time, and it makes me think all the time when we are with them. They are used to going to school in groups. They may be used to playing sports in a group, but being one-on-one to learn a skill and have someone guide you is really special,” Helen said. “They responded to confident adults, and it was just a beautiful part from the first meeting to our fifth session, the relationships that were built along the way and the skill set that both of them learned games was just fantastic.”

When children catch their first fish, it is an unforgettable moment.

“It can be scary, or it can be so much joy that you have to make sure they don’t let go of the rod with the fish still on it. It’s just total excitement,” Schubert said.

But each of the mentors said it’s about more than just fly fishing.

“It’s about the ability to connect with the individuals who participate, these young people who have a lot of influence, to have an adult who they can trust and who they can count on. Because one of the things we don’t want to do is disappoint them,” said Scott, who adds that they never cancel a session, even in bad weather. “They’ve had a lot of disappointments in their lives and we want to give them hope, give them some adult confidence, bring them here, show them that we care about them.”

There are limitations with this program. One of the most important is ensuring there are enough financial donations to support the program. It costs about $800 to put a child through the five sessions of the program with the equipment they need, including rods, reels, nets and flies.

Mentors and foster parents see big changes in the children.

“It’s, it’s incredible. They just change. They come from a child who struggles with things we have no idea about, but it shows in their face. And right before they left, in the first session, it was wiped off their face,” Schubert said.

Stump said Skylar could be at peace and relax while he fished and was finally satisfied.

“We thought it was all about the fishing, and what we discovered is that it’s all about the kids, the mentors and the community that’s built around them to support them through the tough times that They cross.”

For the 2025 season which runs from March to May, they hope to have 8 to 10 children participate in the program. Mentors go through an application process that includes a background check.

If you would like more information about the Mayfly project or are interested in donating, you can find information here or email Scott Barrier.

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