Fly Fishing Friends Friday

Grace Mironas

​As winter drags on across the country, anglers look for other ways to get their fly fishing fix.  For most of us that means refilling the fly boxes with long nights at the vice, attending a film tour event, trade shows, and especially settling in with the newest edition of our favorite fly fishing publication.  One of those publications, Dun Magazine, has catapulted into a household name thanks to their intriguing content, stunning photography, and in no small part thanks to the work of folks like Grace, Associate Editor at Dun Magazine. 

"Growing up in Chicago, I didn't see much earth-not many trees, fields, streams, or oceans. Fly fishing is about opening your eyes to the world around you and actually engaging the world we've been given."

Grace, a fly angler for the last eight years, attributes much of her involvement in the sport to her mother.  When she first started, like most others, she relied on her mom for everything on their fly fishing outings.   Things like tying a fly on weren't possible without the assistance of others, but the intimidation of trekking out solo quickly waned when Grace spent a summer working as a camp counselor in Wisconsin.  "My mom encouraged me to bring a rod and flies with me and I was nervous, to say the least." 

Standing on the dock of a north woods lake and gazing across the water smooth as glass, Grace realized she had the whole lake to herself.  There was no one there to judge or critique her casting or hook setting.  Fishing off that dock gave her the courage to make fly fishing her own. "It was cathartic. Just me, the lake, and whatever was nibbling that morning."  The sport had taken hold of her in the way that does so many others. 

"Fly fishing is just a part of life, like anything else."

Fly fishing started as a way for Grace to connect with her mom.  From casting in the backyard to going after her favorite fish (bass and bluegill) at the family lake, it was always something they could do together. Even through the frustrating moments of learning, they did it together.  As fly fishing is for so many, it was about bonding and spending time with family.  It has since evolved into a true passion and a successful career. 

Aside from her work making Dun a top notch fly fishing publication, she takes part in conservation work along with her coworkers. Whether it's in Trout Unlimited projects, women's clinics, or stream cleanups, Grace contributes towards the 100 hours a year that the Dun staff commits to conservation work. 

Follow Grace on Instagram:  @graceerin_dunmagazine

---

Check out the Wildwood Outfitters  Instagram page!

Instagram