In this episode, we have Jess Westbrook, founder of the Mayfly Project, an expert in the world of youth fly fishing and giving back in a big way. From mentoring foster kids to helping lead one of the most dominant youth teams in fly fishing. This conversation is full of inspiration, tactical tips and techniques and find out why top anglers adapt quickly to changing conditions.
By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why a little slack in your nymph drift and you’re gonna get a fresh take on your nymphing myths and techniques so you have more success this year.
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Show Notes with Jess Westbrook on The Mayfly Project
01:50 – Jess was on the podcast in episode 194, where he talked about the Mayfly project. The Mayfly project helps foster kids get better at fly fishing.
02:06 – Josh Miller was on the podcast in episode #27 of the Traveled podcast here. Josh Miller is one of the great competitive anglers and the coach behind back-to-back world championships.
03:17 – The Mayfly Project, reflecting on the rapid growth of this Project, a nonprofit he co-founded to mentor foster children through fly fishing.
05:18 – Every time he was out fishing, his anxious thoughts and stress would disappear, providing him sense of calm and clarity. Jess notes the C.A.L.L. group that helped him with the idea to start the Mayfly Project. The C.A.L.L. also supports foster kids in Arkansas.
“Nothing Perfect Lasts Forever Except in our Memories.” A River Runs Through It”
06:01: Jess mentioned that The Mayfly Project. As of the latest update, the program operates between 62 to 64 projects across 32 U.S states in the United Kingdom.
07:19 – He managed Team USA Fly Fishing in recent years. We discuss the crossover from the Mayfly Project to his work with Team USA Youth.
08:23 – Gordon Vanderpool is a youth coach and runs Euro nymphing clinics. You can find Gordon at his website here.
10:15 – Team USA Youth swept the individual medals—gold, silver, and bronze—at the 2024 World Championship in the Czech Republic, and they’re now preparing for the 2025 event in Idaho Falls, aiming for a historic three-peat on home soil.
12:48 – He mentioned that Josh Miller, the head coach of Team USA Youth, is not only a high-level river angler but also someone with a wealth of experience, having coached the team through multiple world championships with a calm, confident leadership style.
14:05 – Jess shared that some of the hardest parts of building The Mayfly Project were controlling the boar during lake sessions, creating sustainable programs, and building everything from scratch.
14:52 – He emphasized that “One million percent, the most important part of all of this is our volunteers“.
Check The MayFly Project to see more.
16:44 – Jess shared that many of the kids they work with are living in group homes, including Marine Group Homes, and often have very little support. He mentioned that these kids are sometimes placed in rural towns where they don’t know anyone, emphasizing the importance of consistent mentorship and the role The Mayfly Project plays in giving them meaningful connection and guidance.
18:52 – Zoom meetings with the kids, where they bring in great anglers like Devin Olsen to teach and answer questions. These sessions give the youth participants a chance to interact directly with top-level anglers, learn advanced techniques, and stay connected to the community outside of their local projects.
20:45 – They recently brought on a new team member, Loren Williams, who was the world champion last year. He highlighted how exciting it is to have someone of her caliber on board, helping strengthen The Mayfly Project’s mission and bringing even more expertise to the kids they serve.
21:12 – Jess explained that they find new kids through state organizations and child welfare systems, as well as through word of mouth. Many referrals come from social workers or foster parents who’ve heard about The Mayfly Project and want to get their kids involved in something positive and consistent.
25:32 – Jess expressed some frustration over the common misconception that euro nymphing is just “high sticking“, saying that idea can drive him a little insane. He reflected on how much the technique has evolved, contrasting it with how ten years ago, anglers used heavy setups like Maxima Chameleon with 25-pound butt sections, whereas today’s methods involve much lighter leaders and more range.
27:08 – Jess emphasized the importance of versatility in competitive fly fishing, noting that during a competition in the Czech Republic, kids caught fish using a variety of methods—tightline nymphing, streamer fishing, and dry flies. He pushed back against the notion that competitions are just about euro nymphing, saying that to succeed.
Watch The Tight Line Advantage for Nymphs, Indicators, Streamers, and Dry Dropper to learn more.
29:32 – Jess recounted a funny story from his first lake competition, where he shared a boat with Josh Miller. He showed up thinking Josh would fish first, only to be surprised when Josh asked, “Where’s all your stuff?”—revealing that both of them were supposed to fish at the same time. Jess admitted, “I didn’t even know,” and laughed about the mix-up.
34:50 – He shared that both The Mayfly Project and his role with the Youth Fly Fishing Team hold a special place in his heart, describing them as the two things he loves most. He stepped away from guiding to spend more time with his family, and now enjoys traveling and working with both programs.
Watch the Fly Casting Lessons on How to teach kids to Fly Cast
38:38 – Jess acknowledged the pressure youth anglers face during national and world championships. He noted that both he and Josh maintain a relaxed demeanor, which helps set a calming tone for the team. When a young angler had a rough start at nationals, Jess offered reassurance, saying, “You’re a great fisherman; you’re going to do great tomorrow,” emphasizing the importance of positive affirmations and emotional support in building resilience.
Check it out here on how they started.
39:27 – Looking ahead to the 2026 World Championships in Ireland, which will be primarily lake-based, Jess reflected that many current team members will have aged out, and a newer team will take their place, possibly shifting how they respond to pressure. He even admitted that the kids likely handle it better than he would.
41:24- Jess responded to a common question about how The Mayfly Project stays connected with kids after their outings, explaining that due to the nature of the foster care system, it’s often difficult to track where the children go. To manage expectations and build trust, the program establishes clear boundaries from the beginning, offering five structured outings with a defined start and end.
44:59 – He stressed the importance of selecting the right lead mentors and ensuring that each project is sustainable and well-prepared, often planning a year in advance. Jess expressed his deep appreciation for the mentors, saying that seeing them receive recognition, such as doing interviews or being featured in the media, brings him great joy.
Here’s one of the MayFly Project mentors’ interviews.
48:20 – Jess outlined the leadership structure and evolving approach of the USA Youth Fly Fishing Team. John Ford, serving as president, oversees fundraising and financial aspects. Josh Miller, the head coach, brings extensive experience from his tenure with Fly Fishing Team USA and has led the youth team to multiple world championship victories.
Here’s the detailed information on the team’s mission and leadership structure.
50:29 – Jess highlighted the growing demand and volunteer support for youth fly fishing clinics, particularly in Pennsylvania, where the number of kids attending has expanded from just 6–8 to around 30, often requiring a cap due to venue constraints.
50:59 – He also confirmed being present at the Czech Republic competition, where Team USA competed, setting the stage for a conversation about standout moments or “plays of the week” from the event, drawing a parallel to sports highlights like a LeBron James dunk to capture the excitement of the competition.
Here’s more information about Pennsylvania Clinic.
52:57 – Jess reflected on how small, technical nuances in fly fishing, such as subtle adjustments to drift or line presentation, can lead to significant differences in competition outcomes. He expressed pride in the youth team and Coach Josh Miller, acknowledging that figuring out those fine details during the event in the Czech Republic was key.
You can find Jess Westbrook on Instagram and the Mayfly Project Website
Top 7 Fly Fishing Tips from Jess Westbrook
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- Add a Little Slack to your Drift – Introducing slight slack in your nymph drift can make your presentation more natural, leading to more takes, especially in pressured waters.
- Don’t be afraid to go Light – Modern Euro-Nymphing often uses ultra-light leaders and tiny flies. Heavier gear isn’t always the answer.
- Fish the Water Column, Not just the bottom – If fish are consistently hitting your top nymph, they’re likely feeding higher. So, adjust accordingly.
- Practice the Lakes – Stillwater is the “great equalizer” in competitions. Master boat control, retrieve techniques, and line setups to excel.
- Preparation is Everything – Organize your gear, create practice schedules, and hold planning meetings (like Team USA does) to stay ahead of the game.
- Don’t Overthink the Win, Get the First Fish – Organize your gear, create practice schedules, and hold planning meetings to stay ahead of the game.
- Fly Fishing Isn’t Just Technical, It’s Emotional – From helping to heal anxiety to building confidence in kids, fly fishing can change lives. Approach it with purpose and the heart.