Fostering Hope with Fly Fishing

In 2014, when Jess Westbrook started to experience intense bouts of anxiety, a friend began to take him fishing. It was during those simple trips that Jess found peace from his worries and stress. “Now when I’m struggling, I can go to the river and work through it.” he says.  

When the needs of foster children in Arkansas were brought before him less than a year later, Jess and his wife, Laura, saw an opportunity to share that peace with others. They founded the Mayfly project, a 501(c)(3) national organization that uses fly fishing as a catalyst to mentor and support children in foster care.  

Throughout their 6 months in the program, children are introduced to mentors, taught the basics of casting, fly tying, and local conservation, and of course, given plenty of opportunities to fish in their local ecosystems. It all culminates in a special overnight outing with great food, fun cabins, a full day of fishing with mentors and friends, and a take-home surprise. “Each child leaves with their own set of gear, and it’s a really special moment when it’s handed out.”  

“It’s not really about fishing. It’s about connecting and healing, and fun. We focus on quality time, not quantity, so we work with the same small group of kids for 6 months. They get real attention and can’t get lost in the crowd.” Westbrook says there are always kids who are guarded at the beginning and don’t want to participate, but through consistency and the right mentor matches, they slowly open up throughout the program and enjoy themselves. 

This year, Ozark Angler was proud to sponsor the final outing for The Mayfly Project in Arkansas. To know 40 kids in need of connection from Central Arkansas, Fayetteville, and Texarkana had a blast at Dry Run Creek is a great feeling that we are glad to have been part of.  

If you would like to join us in supporting this wonderful cause, please visit https://themayflyproject.com/get-involved/.