Mayfly Project Raises $185,000 for Foster Care Youth

The Little Rock fundraiser supports fly fishing mentorship for children in the foster care system.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Fishing

Mayfly Project Raises $185,000 for Foster Care Youth

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The Mayfly Project raised an estimated $185,000 during its Mending the Line event at the Chenal Country Club in Little Rock. These funds will support the organization’s mission to provide outdoor mentorship to youth in foster care.

Why it matters

The organization uses fly fishing as a tool to help children in foster care gain new skills and enjoy positive outdoor experiences. The funding secured at the event will help sustain and grow these critical one-on-one mentorship programs.

The project has supported over 1,000 children since 2015 and anticipates serving up to 500 additional youth in 2027. Operations currently span 32 states and the United Kingdom.

The players

The Mayfly Project

This nonprofit organization provides fly fishing mentorship for children in foster care.

Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Conservation Fund

This foundation supports conservation and outdoor access initiatives.

Rowell Guevarra

He was recognized as the Mentor of the Year for his contributions to the project.

The details

Children participating in the program receive fly fishing gear and engage in at least five sessions of one-on-one mentorship. During the event, the Joe Humphreys Legacy Award was presented to the Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Conservation Fund, while Rowell Guevarra was named Mentor of the Year.

The Mayfly Project was established in 2015.
The Mending the Line fundraiser was held on October 8, 2026.
The project plans to expand to five new locations in 2027.

Culture Shift

The project extends the therapeutic recreation movement for youth in foster care by combining outdoor skill-building with consistent long-term adult mentorship. This model marks a departure from traditional indoor-only support services by prioritizing connection through shared activity.

Residents in Little Rock can support the ongoing mission by volunteering as mentors or participating in local chapter events. The influx of funding ensures that the organization maintains its 1:1 mentorship model for area youth throughout the upcoming year.

The takeaway

The Mayfly Project highlights how specialized outdoor hobbies can provide stability and growth for youth in the foster care system. Interested community members are encouraged to look into volunteer opportunities to help provide the required mentorship sessions.