Women on the Water: Grit, Grace & Growth

With: mackonthefly

MacKenna Stang. A lifelong athlete and outdoor lover raised in the heart of Colorado, MacKenna turned to fly fishing after a string of injuries rerouted her path—and found something far deeper than just a new hobby. In this interview, she opens up about what it means to show up as a woman in a male-dominated industry, the joy of chasing fish from the Rockies to Iceland, and how she's building community through mentorship, travel, and time on the river. This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt the tug—on the line and in their heart.

MacKenna, as a woman in the fly fishing world, you’ve made a significant impact with your presence. How did you first get into fly fishing, and what challenges or experiences shaped your journey as a female angler?

I grew up in Colorado and am fortunate to have parents who consistently took me and my sister outdoors in the Rocky Mountains. We spent a lot of time traveling and camping together, and my dad always made sure it was near water. I started watching him fish at a young age and would jump in every now and then. I remember just loving the feeling of being out there with him and my family, surrounded by nature.

There’s one core memory I’ll never forget—we were camping near a lake, and I was around 10. My dad took me out on his float tube, tied on a single dry fly, and I ended up catching 19 fish that afternoon. I was totally hooked (pun intended), and it sparked something in me that I didn’t yet realize would grow into a lifelong passion.

I also grew up as a multi-sport athlete and eventually played soccer in college on a scholarship. Long story short, a string of knee injuries and surgeries brought that chapter of my life to an early close. It was devastating at the time—so much of my identity was tied to competition and movement. But during one of those recoveries, when I was about 19, I picked up fly fishing in a more serious way, and it completely changed my life.

Fly fishing gave me the same feeling I’d had with sports: a drive to improve, to master a skill, to challenge myself. But it also gave me something I didn’t even know I needed—stillness, presence, and connection. There’s something incredibly grounding about putting all the pieces together: setting up your rig, reading the water, choosing the right fly, casting with intention, and then finally… getting that take. It’s addicting in the best way.

Being a female angler hasn’t come without its challenges—at times, I’ve felt underestimated or out of place, especially early on. But I’ve also learned how powerful it is to just show up as yourself and let your love for the sport speak for itself. Fly fishing gave me something to pour myself into when I needed it most, and now it’s something I can’t imagine my life without. Catching fish is always a thrill, but what’s kept me coming back is the patience, presence, and deep appreciation for wild places that this sport has taught me.

In an industry historically dominated by men, what has been your experience as a female fly fisher? Do you think things are changing, and how do you see women continuing to break barriers in this space?

I feel really fortunate to have had a male role model like my dad to help shape my experience in fly fishing. He made the outdoors feel accessible and fun from the beginning. That said, being a woman in a historically male-dominated space hasn’t always been easy. There have been times when I haven’t felt taken seriously—whether that’s on the water or online. Social media, in particular, can be tough. I’ve received criticism for how I share my journey, even when I’m just being myself and celebrating the sport I love.

Because fly fishing has been such a male-dominated world for so long, it can sometimes feel like we have to fight just to exist in the space without being questioned. But things are changing. And while there’s still work to be done, I’ve also met and connected with so many supportive men in the industry who are true allies and champions for more inclusivity. That gives me hope.

Women are absolutely breaking barriers in fly fishing, and it’s one of the most exciting parts of being involved in the community right now. Every year, I see more women showing up, sharing their experiences, and building spaces of their own. I’m inspired all the time—by female fly tiers creating beautiful work, women leading trips around the world, and events that are specifically designed to help women feel welcomed and empowered to get started.

It can be intimidating to enter the sport, especially when you don’t see yourself reflected in the community at first. But with even a little support and encouragement, I’ve seen how quickly that can change. Women are not only finding their place in fly fishing—we’re helping redefine it.

You’ve had the opportunity to fish in various locations all over the world. What are some of the most memorable fishing destinations you’ve visited, and how have those experiences shaped your love for fly fishing?

Oh wow—it's so hard to pick a favorite or most memorable place I've fished. That’s one of the things I love most about fly fishing: it takes you to some of the most incredible places on earth, and there’s always a new species or setting to chase. My bucket list is still long, but here are two experiences I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Over the last seven years, I’ve gotten more into saltwater fly fishing—and as many know, once you go salt, you’re hooked. One of my most unforgettable moments was catching my first permit on an all-women’s trip hosted by Kenzie from @womenontherivercollective. We spent seven days at the Xflats Lodge in Mexico, fishing hard, laughing harder, and soaking in every second.

On our first day, I hooked a permit… and celebrated too early. I lost it, and I was crushed. The rest of the week was slow for me—until day seven. I asked our guides, Alejandro and Tommy, if we could get on the water early. They were all in. By 7:30 a.m., the sun was shining and the water was glassy. About an hour in, Tommy spotted a group of permit nearly 100 yards out (eyes like a hawk!). I stepped up to the bow, took a few deep breaths, and started casting once they hit that 80-90 foot mark. I laid the fly out in front of them—strip, strip, strip… BOOM. Permit on! I waited to celebrate this time, and once we got it to the boat, I dropped to my knees and cried tears of joy. The hard work, the heartbreak, the persistence—it all paid off. Having Kenzie on the boat with me made it that much more meaningful.

Another unforgettable trip was traveling to Iceland with my dad—something we had talked about for years. In May 2024, we finally made it happen and fished with Iceland Fishing Guide. While it was too early for the Atlantic salmon run, we targeted Icelandic brown trout and arctic char—and I totally fell in love with char. I’d never caught one before, and I had no idea how technical and fun it would be.

I caught my first arctic char by sight-fishing on the Brunna River. We spotted one just a few feet off the bank, feeding on a buffet of nymphs just below the surface. I tied on a heavy "Baby Got Bead" with an indicator, and after a few casts to get the drift just right, I landed the fly perfectly ahead of it. The fish ate—and I set that hook! The fight was absolutely wild. That char took me up and down the riverbank, nearly wrapping around submerged boulders. When I finally landed it, my dad and I hooped and hollered like crazy. It was pure joy.

What I love most is the challenge of hunting elusive fish, and both of these experiences—the permit and the char—remind me how rewarding the pursuit can be. The wins stick with you, but so do the lessons from the near-misses. Sharing those moments with people who are equally passionate makes it even better. I’m excited to keep chasing those moments, wherever they take me next.

What advice do you have for other women who might feel intimidated or unsure about getting into fly fishing? How can they find their place in this growing community?

Ten years ago, I remember feeling really intimidated about immersing myself more fully in the fly fishing world. It was challenging to go out alone, and even more so to join others on the water—especially if they weren’t my dad, who had always been my fishing partner. Stepping outside of that comfort zone felt almost impossible at times.

My biggest piece of advice to anyone feeling that same hesitation is: don’t be afraid to share your experiences. Whether you're a total beginner or figuring things out as you go, your voice and story are valid. I used to worry a lot about what other people thought of me—how I looked casting, whether I was doing things "right," or if I belonged in certain spaces. But the more I let go of that pressure, the more joy and confidence I found in the sport.

Also, connection is everything. Seek out other women in the fly fishing community—there are more of us than you think, and so many are eager to share, support, and grow together. Look into women-specific fly fishing groups, clinics, and meetups. Reach out to your local fly shop—they’re often excited to welcome new anglers and can point you toward great resources.

And use what’s available to you: watch videos, read blogs, ask questions, and be curious. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start. Just showing up is enough. There’s a place for you in this community, and it’s one that’s becoming more inclusive, supportive, and diverse every year.

Most of all - don't take this sport too seriously! It's only fishing afterall. 

Looking ahead, what’s next for you in the fly fishing world? Are there any new projects, destinations, or personal goals you’re excited about pursuing in the near future?

I’ve got a lot I want to do, and honestly, that’s one of the things I love most about fly fishing—the learning never stops, and the opportunities are endless.

This summer, I’m really looking forward to spending time in Colorado with my dog, Hopper, and enjoying the local fishing that first sparked my love for the sport. After a lot of travel recently, I’m excited to slow down a bit and get back to the dry fly action, alpine lakes, and high country rivers that feel like home.

I’ll also be guiding part-time in Salida, CO with The Next Eddy, which I’m incredibly excited about. It’s another chance to connect with people and help them fall in love with fly fishing the way I did. On top of that, I’ll be working with the shop on some local events—everything from knot-tying clinics and reading water basics, to casual social gatherings. It’s really important to me to help create spaces where everyone feels welcomed and supported in this sport.

Personally, I have a few skill goals I’m chasing right now. I want to get more into fly tying, dial in my knot game, and finally target new species I haven’t landed yet—like carp and bass on the fly. Always something to work toward!

Looking a little further ahead, I’m thrilled to be hosting a trip to Iceland at the end of August. It’ll be my second time there, but this trip is special—we’ll have the chance to pursue Atlantic salmon, which would be a dream come true to finally catch. Iceland has become a really special place for me, and I can’t wait to share that experience with others.

At the end of the day, fly fishing continues to give me a sense of purpose, community, and joy. I’m so grateful for the people I get to share this with, and I can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes me.