Musky fishing is by no means a numbers game - at least not with fish caught. If hours sacrificed, dollars spent, sleep lost, and hearts broken are the numbers being considered; then musky are a fish of quantity. To say the least, this type of fishing is a GRIND.

It can be maddening to wake up every day of the season and know that even a brief encounter with a musky constitutes a victory. This gives reason to the fact that it takes a lifetime to become a true expert. The grind can be never-ending; maybe there’s a reason a figure-8 resembles an infinity sign.

As a full-time Canadian guide, Jessie Baker is no stranger to this grind. Her season is short and her guide schedule is relentless. In addition to this, Jessie has a master's degree in psychology. One of the reasons she loves musky fishing is because it pushes the limitations of what your mind is capable of enduring. For Jessie, early mornings, late nights, heartbreaking close encounters, and expectation management are the norm. Day in and day out, these challenges are not only what keeps her going – these challenges are what she thrives on.  

In 2020, Jessie’s role at her family's resort drastically shifted when it became her responsibility to help her mom run and operate the business. Whether it’s fishing or running camp, it’s a reminder that you can’t control what happens to you in life, but you can always control how you react to it. No matter how prepared you think you are, when the moment comes, you must let your intuition guide you to success. Just like musky fishing.