Miranda is an easy going Pennsylvanian who is always ready to wet a line and she is passionate about fishing and the outdoors. But living in beautiful Pine Creek , PA, a beautiful destination spot for freshwater and flyfishing, how could one not be. When she is not working her 9-5 or out exploring the outdoors and waterways, Miranda is building her fishing knowledge working at one of the local tackle shops in town. It is there where she was recently introduced and encouraged to give flyfishing a go.
Where do you call home?
I live in Pennsylvania. I grew up in the Pine Creek Valley and I love it here! Nothing greets me like a long trip home and crossing over the creek to see the mountains ahead in the distance.
How do you like spending time?
Most of the time, I work every day of the week. My full time job is with the gas company and I have a part-time job at a general store and tackle shop. But, when I’m not working I love to do anything I can outdoors. I have two pitbulls, Roxie and Chloe, they are my little angels and they enjoy going on walks and chase the animals around the yard. I feel like I wait all year long for the warmer months to get out and go hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing. I almost always have some sort of camera in my possession because photography is something I’m passionate about, anything from scenic sunsets and waterfalls to wild animals and flowers.
When and how were you introduced to fishing and what is it about the activity you enjoy?
I have two brothers and they are both more than ten years older than me. When I was little we’d go down to the creek and I’d watch my brother fish and then I got my own Snoopy fishing pole and I’d joined along. Then after my brother moved out I didn’t fish for several years. My neighbor got me back into the sport by taking me out night fishing. Needless to say I was hooked! I loved catching catfish and bass.
The feeling of being totally surrounded by nature and the peace and quiet is enough to made me addicted to fishing. But my favorite part is anticipating that bite, setting the hook, and reeling it in. You never know what to expect and in that moment nothing else matters to me other than landing that fish!
You seem very efficient with a fly rod. How were you introduced to fly fishing?
A lot of people I knew fly fished but I never got into it until last year. I started getting familiar with flies by using my spinning setup. I like to fish in Pulaski, New York and there are so many different ways to fish up there it is unbelievable. I didn’t have a fly rod but I hear of many anglers doing well using flies. So I would tie a liter onto my existing line and tie a fly on and a few little splitshots and just bottom bounce. That’s how I caught my very first colored up male steelhead.
The fact that a lot of customers in the store I work at are fly fisherman also encouraged me to try it. I’d hear their stories about what fly they used and landing their beautiful browns out on the stream. I was curious so last year I bought myself an Orvis fly rod and played around with it a few times like casting but never actually caught anything. I’ve been out quite a few times so far this year and I’m very pleased with the progress I made. I get a lot of encouragement from my coworkers and fishing friends. It is very relaxing. I wish I would have picked up a fly rod sooner.
What is your favorite species of fish to catch?
Hands down definitely Steelhead trout!
What is your favorite type of bait/lure when fishing freshwater?
Oh boy, well it all depends on what I’m fishing for but I’ll tell ya what, you can catch about anything on a night crawler.
Do you have a favorite rod?
Yes, I do. When my grandfather passed away, most of his fishing gear was passed down to me. One of those items was his steelhead rod, it wasn’t a special make or model just a medium-light action spinning rod that’s about 9’ 6”. I caught my first steelhead on it.
What is your best fishing story?
I would have to go back to the time I landed my first male steelhead. In early April, a few years back, I was fishing up in Pulaski, New York. Using my pap’s rod with a black and silver beadhead estaz fly, I hooked up with one hell of a fish. The fight seemed like it took a half-hour but it was only about five minutes. I didn’t realize what I was working with until I saw him jump up out of the water. Then the adrenaline kicked in, I didn’t want to lose him. I didn’t notice how much my rod was bent until I played the video back. It felt like I was fighting a salmon. Once he was successfully landed I took the breath of relief. I got a couple photos with him then I decided I was in fact going to get him mounted. I rarely keep fish. This buck was about 31” and I know that maybe at a later date I’d catch a bigger fish but the value of this catch was so sentimental to me I wanted to keep it forever.
What five words best describe you?
Independent, focused, generous, industrious, sociable
What else would people like to know about you?
I’m an animal lover of all sorts and sizes. I am very artistic. I haven’t sat down to complete an art project of any sort since I have graduated high school, but that’s something else I love to do. Back when I was in school many of my pieces won awards and went to shows.
Follow Miranda on Instagram at @Pinecrickchic
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