FOR SOME, FLY-FISHING IS A pleasant outside activity, but for children in foster care it can mean much more, thanks to the work of lead mentor Marcy Becker. She and a team of 25 Colorado anglers invest untold hours to mentor children enrolled in the Denver chapter of The Mayfly Project, an international nonprofit founded in Arkansas in 2015. To date, more than 1,600 children and young adults ages 8 to 19 have been introduced to the pastime through 66 U.S. and two UK chapters.
TMP supports children in foster care through fly-fishing, introducing them to their local water ecosystems, and connecting them to a fun, rewarding hobby that builds confidence and develops a meaningful connection with the outdoors, according to Becker, 47, a married Colorado native who earned her undergraduate degree at Colorado State University, and a masters at the University of Colorado Denver.
“The characteristics of an angler include patience, confidence, finding brain rest, building grit, seeking wisdom, and appreciating the environment,” she says. “We emphasize conservation and the kids—12 boys and girls per season—are taught to catch and release and properly care for their gear.” By the end of the five sessions, the children receive rods, reels, flies, a pack, and even nippers—and a new outdoor activity for life.
Next time you see a group of excited kids and adult mentors at Pella Crossing, Staunton State Park, Clear Creek, or Pine Valley Ranch Park, rest assured memories are being made by a new crop of responsible anglers casting for a better life.
—Jeff Blumenfeld
Cover image: Courtesy Marcy Becker
