On the water with Miky: Finding Calm Through Fishing.
Written by Miky Gee
Photo credit : Photography by Bambi
Growing up on a small cattle property outside the little Queensland town of Millmerran, I always had a love for fishing and being around the water. Most school holidays were spent at Bribie Island with my family, and in 2009 I was lucky enough to call Bribie home.
Although fishing had always been part of my life, it wasn't until September 2024 that I realised just how much I truly loved it.
Meeting my boyfriend, Allan, completely changed my fishing journey. Allan is a very keen fisherman, and our mutual love of fishing was one of the things that brought us together. He has taught me everything I know, from rigging my own rod through to learning different lure techniques. More than that, he's always encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and reminded me that I can achieve anything I put my mind to.
One of the biggest moments for me was discovering lure fishing.
I think that's when everything really clicked.
It wasn't just catching fish anymore. It was the technique, the patterns and constantly learning something new that completely captured my attention. I realized that the way lure fishing works fits perfectly with how my mind works.
I'm a 26-year-old woman on the autism spectrum, and fishing has become so much more than a hobby. Being out on the water surrounded by nature helps calm my anxiety in a way that's hard to explain. Fishing has become my special interest and gives me endless goals to work towards, whether that's learning a new technique, chasing a new species or simply becoming a better angler.
There really is no better feeling than holding a rod, feeling that bite and reeling in a fish. The happiness it brings me is something that's difficult to put into words.
One of the biggest surprises in my journey came when I was invited to become a Frogleys Offshore Ambassador, representing Atomic Tackle Australia.
When Luke Galea called to ask me, I honestly cried.
My hands were shaking and I was completely overwhelmed with excitement.
In that moment, I felt like I really could make something of myself in the fishing industry. I was so grateful that someone believed in me enough to give me the opportunity.
It's something I'm incredibly proud of, and I love being able to showcase Atomic Tackle Australia's lures and tackle while continuing to learn and grow.
Another part of my fishing journey that I'm incredibly proud of is helping start a women's fishing group here on Bribie Island alongside Indiana and Lyn.
The idea came about because we realised there wasn't really a welcoming fishing group locally where women could come together, learn and feel comfortable asking questions.
We'd heard so many stories from women who wanted to give fishing a go but didn't know where to start or didn't feel confident joining existing groups.
We wanted to change that.
Our goal has always been to create a safe, supportive community where women can learn, make friends and build confidence on the water, no matter their experience level.
Seeing our group grow to more than 130 members in such a short time has been incredibly rewarding, and the support we've received from both women and men has been amazing.
Looking ahead, I hope fishing continues to take me on new adventures and opens doors I never imagined possible.
More than anything, I'd love to turn my passion into a career one day.
If, along the way, I can inspire even one more woman to pick up a fishing rod, believe in herself and discover the same joy that fishing has given me, then I'll consider that a pretty special achievement.
After all, fishing hasn't just given me a hobby.
It's given me confidence, purpose, friendships and a place where I truly feel at home.
If you’d love to follow Miky’s journey, you can find her on both Instagram and Facebook.
mikygs_fishing (IG) and Galavins Fishings (FB)