Swing The Fly knew Keith Butler was a true believer after sleeping in his fully outfitted pickup in the parking lot of our cabin at Douglaston Salmon Runs for Spey Nation.
The fishing was going to be good the next day.
We’re excited that Keith, and the Rochester Chapter of The Mayfly Project, are the funding beneficiaries of the raffle at Spey Nation this August 7-9, 2026.
We spoke to Keith to learn a bit more about what Spey Nation means to him, how he got involved in The Mayfly Project, and how you can support their efforts in Rochester, and beyond.
(D.A.R.) What is The Mayfly Project? Tell us a bit about the local Rochester chapter.
(K.B) The Mayfly Project is a national nonprofit that connects kids in foster care to fly fishing. It was started by Jess and Laura Westbrook and later expanded nationally with Kaitlin Barnhart. To me, it’s really about much more than just teaching kids how to fish. It’s about getting kids outside, building confidence, and giving them positive experiences with mentors who care. Our Rochester chapter started in 2023 under Jordan Murphy, who is our current lead. Over five or six outings, the kids learn everything from assembling a rod, tying on a fly, and casting, to tying flies, identifying river insects, and becoming stewards of the river and its coldwater habitat.
How did you become involved?
I first learned about The Mayfly Project at the local trout festival in Caledonia, New York, home to the Caledonia Fish Hatchery founded by Seth Green in 1864 and considered the oldest fish hatchery in the Western Hemisphere. I was there with my family, walking around and checking out the different booths, when we stopped at The Mayfly Project table. The really cool logo caught my attention, and that led to a conversation about what the project was all about. Foster care is something that’s important to my wife and me, so with both of us working in public education, it felt like a natural fit. My wife and I both got involved from there.
What are the other mentors like? Are you all from different walks of life, or is there a common thread?
We definitely come from different walks of life. Our mentors vary in age, fly-fishing experience, and professional background. Some are retired, some are younger and just getting started in their careers, and others have spent years in education, conservation, guiding, or community work.
What we all have in common is a genuine desire to give back. Everyone brings something a little different, but we share the belief that time outside, mentorship, and learning a skill like fly fishing can really matter for these kids.
What do you enjoy about Spey Nation? Why connect The Mayfly Project and Spey Nation?
What I enjoy most about Spey Nation is being around people who are just as passionate about two-handed fishing as I am. It’s been a chance for me to improve my casting, learn new things, and connect with others who really love this style of fishing. Once I started fishing with a two-handed rod, I became completely obsessed. It makes me more present on the water and more aware of everything around me. When I’m swinging flies, I’m not just focused on one seam, one drift, or one fish. I’m paying attention to the shape of the run, the current, the swing, and how it all works together, and that makes me feel connected to the river as a whole.
What makes it (Spey Nation) such a good fit with The Mayfly Project is that the two-handed community is so generous. People really want to help, share what they know, and bring others into it. That spirit of giving back feels very much in line with what The Mayfly Project is about.
How can people best support The Mayfly Project?
There are a lot of ways people can support The Mayfly Project. Getting involved as a mentor or volunteer is one of the best ways, and people can also help behind the scenes with food, logistics, and events. Donations and fundraising are also a big part of it, because that’s what helps us provide the gear, materials, and support each mentee’s needs throughout the season. One of the best moments is on the last day, when the kids receive their own gear to take with them and keep. It gives them the chance to continue building on the skills they’ve developed, both on and off the water, and hopefully carry it with them as a lifelong hobby.
Any fun, interesting, or important stories from the local chapter that folks should know?
Usually each year we work with a different group of kids, so one thing that really stands out to me is that we had a mentee who loved the program so much that he wanted to come back the following year, and fortunately we were able to accommodate that. To me, that says a lot. It shows this is about more than just a few outings on the water. It means something to these kids. With The Mayfly Project looking to build out a mentor-in-training aspect, what makes it even more meaningful is that he’s now interested in that too. The idea that a kid could come through the program, come back, and one day help mentor others really says a lot about the impact it can have.