Nattie’s Impressive Kayak Muskie

“Don’t get discouraged, don’t get down, and don’t quit. You simply cannot control how many fish you catch. All you can do is keep showing up, keep bombing baits, keep figure-eighting until your arms want to fall off. The muskies will come, and they will be worth it.”

When looking at how far we come as anglers, it is easy reflect on the time when we were beginners and see just how far we’ve come since those days. Natalie Dillon, who was born and raised in Minnesota, recalls how special this monster muskie was to her when recalling her first taste of muskie fishing.

“My favorite aspect of this catch is really twofold.  I caught this fish on the same lake I caught my first-ever musky in about 5 years ago, so that in itself is pretty special. But in addition to that, the difference in circumstance between that catch back in 2013 and this one now is something that means a lot to me. Five years ago I was fishing with a professional guide, and I had almost no clue what I was doing.

“This time, I did it entirely on my own. I loaded a brand-new kayak on the roof of my car, packed baits and gear I felt made sense, drove through the night across two and a half states, and targeted, hooked, and netted this fish alone from my kayak.”

Remembering just how important this catch was to Nattie she adds, “When I reflect on how much my confidence and ability as an angler has improved over the last five years, I’m both proud of my progress and also extremely grateful for all the people who have shared their knowledge, skill and time on the water with me.”

Natalie no doubt loves to spend time outdoors, but what makes muskie fishing so special to her is the new friends she has found because of the sport. “I love the amount of respect this sport shows to the fish themselves. I love the connection it creates between me and anyone else who has targeted muskies, and I love the camaraderie creates between fishing partners.”

Nattie caught her whole muskie catch on camera!

The other thing that makes muskie fishing so special to Nattie, like most diehard muskie anglers, is the challenge. “I love that I can never master it – that I can keep learning and improving the rest of my life. And perhaps most importantly, I love how challenging it is. The way it pushes me to my edge makes finally getting one that much more gratifying.”

 

Fishing for muskie now for five years, and understanding the challenges Natalie shares her best piece of advice for other anglers who target muskie; “release all attachment to the outcome.”

“Musky fishing is hard. It kicks your butt physically, mentally and emotionally too. You fail, and fail, and fail. You will spend days and weeks and months giving these beasts your all only to come up empty-handed, and then you’ll watch some bass fisherman hook up to a beauty by accident. Don’t get discouraged, don’t get down, and don’t quit. You simply cannot control how many fish you catch. All you can do is keep showing up, keep bombing baits, keep figure-eighting until your arms want to fall off. The muskies will come, and they will be worth it.”

 

To follow Natalie’s amazing catches you can find her on Instagram @nattieupnorth, and on her Youtube page!