KRYSTEN POTEGA


 

Born and raised in Northern Illinois, Krysten spent all her free-time both hunting and fishing. Realizing those passions, she moved to Central Wisconsin to attend the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where she graduated with her Bachelors in Biogeoscience, and minors in Adventure Education, Geology, and Earth Materials. While at school she met her husband and decided to make the great state of Wisconsin home. She now spends all her free time outdoors enjoying all the beauty Mother Nature has to offer!

 

Tell us about your individual journey into fishing.

My fishing journey started long before I even have memories of it, and according to my parents before I could even walk. They were taking me on ponds ice fishing at the ripe old age of two. From then on I spent majority of my childhood around the Midwest fishing different bodies of water, but it wasn’t until I got a little older that I really started to branch out on species I was targeting and learning about lures, rods, etc.

 

How has the industry changed when it comes to women since you got started?

The fishing industry has really undergone a lot of changes since I got started. At this point in time I feel like there is a lot more inclusion and representations present for future generations to look up to. Seeing both competitive anglers, recreational anglers, guides, social media representatives, etc. I think this is just the beginning of a positive shift for women!

Why is it still an issue to get women into fishing?

While more women are fishing than ever, it can still be challenging due to lingering stereotypes, lack of female role models, and unwelcoming environments. Accessibility issues like cost, gear, and time constraints also play a role. However, organizations and initiatives are actively working to break down these barriers and empower women to hit the water! Not to mention there are also more positive female role models entering the field.

What, from your unique vantage point, is the single most important gesture that can be made to make women feel more welcome in fishing?

Invite them, teach them, let them ask questions, make them feel included- no gesture is too small when it comes to getting someone out for the first time.

 

Who did you look to for inspiration when you first got started?

Honestly, when I started I loved watching Al Lindner and Bill Dance fishing on tv!

Were there any situations you found yourself in where you felt excluded or singled out because you are a woman? How did you deal with that?

Oh absolutely, unfortunately there are still many men that don’t believe women should be in the fishing industry. With that being said I have an incredible family, husband, and friend group that is so overwhelmingly supportive. That and I’ll be the first to admit, I’m bullheaded so if you tell me I can’t do something I’ll prove you wrong.

What does being in this industry as a woman mean to you?

Being in the industry I feel like I have the opportunity to both be a positive representative among lady anglers, while also having the ability to teach women about fishing. This has been a very rewarding endeavor that has both grown and shaped my life in the most impactful way!

How do you stay empowered both on your boat and off?

On the water is my happy place, my stress melts away and I become the best version of myself. Being surrounded by nature, catching whatever species I can, has become my own little therapy session. These days are what both empower and rejuvenate my spirits.

Off the water I’m lucky enough to have a very supportive network of friends and family that lift me up daily to be the best person I can be. I’m also grateful to have built an incredible community of anglers on social media that share the same passions I do. Watching them succeed and also receiving kind messages and comments, where I influenced them to take a sister, daughter, mother, out fishing empowers my decision to strive harder to be a positive role model in the fishing industry.

 

Describe the best day of fishing you've ever had. What made it special? Who were you with (if anyone)?

Oh, this is a really tough question to answer. I’ve had so many incredible days fishing with a lot of my favorite people. I remember last year my husband and I took my parents out crappie fishing on our Alumacraft and we absolutely crushed the crappies (I’m talking 100s, all CPRed) but it was one of the most memorable days I’ve had.

 

 

Did you always know that you wanted to make a career out of fishing? What drives you day in and day out to keep doing what you're doing? When you were growing up - who were your 'fishing heroes' or people who inspired you to become who you are today?

I never planned on becoming a fishing influencer, but the water had other plans. Biogeoscience degree in hand, my love for the outdoors, fishing, and nature drew me in. Sharing my adventures online for fun, I accidentally reeled in a passionate community. Now, living this "crazy amazing" life, chasing the next bite fuels my soul every day.

Describe the moment when you knew that fishing was more than just about the thrill of the catch but rather a way of life. What's the most entertaining thing you have ever been told when you tell someone what you do?

I wouldn’t say there was one specific moment where I knew fishing was more than the thrill of the catch but rather a way of life. I think little moments over the years really solidified that notion. I can’t tell you how many incredible moments i’ve had on the water non-fishing related from a hummingbird coming to visit me multiple times in the middle of a river one summer, to the endless sunrises and sunsets I’ve watched that remind me that even if I’m not catching a dang thing life is better out fishing.

When you've had a successful day of fishing on the water, tell us how you celebrate it off of the water? Do you enjoy cooking what you catch? What is your favorite fish recipe? Do you enjoy sharing your fishing feasts with others? Do you have any stories about cooking your catch for other people?

I’d say my celebrations off the water often end up at Culver’s for dinner because we get off too late to want to cook. I do a lot of Crappie fishing, but I will never turn down a limit of walleyes. I’m going to be pretty basic here and say it's really hard to pass up a good fish fry, which we often do in summertime for friends and family.

When you think about the future of fishing - what would you like to influence the most? (i.e. clean water ways, etc.)

Inclusion and conservation - Inclusion as there is room at the lake for everyone to enjoy a beautiful day on the water as well as conservation. I’ve seen what over harvesting can do to small bodies of water, and the negative lifelong impacts it can have for our future fisheries.

 

If you could go fishing (or teach fishing) with any celebrity - who would it be and why?

I’d have to say Bill Dance, he’s a legend and angler I’ve looked up to my entire life.

What's your favorite memory with Alumacraft?

I have so many but one of the first ones that come to mind was last year, my husband and I took a musky fishing trip to Northern Wisconsin. It was an early weekend in June, with unseasonably cool temperatures and windy as heck. We launched at a new lake after fishing all morning. I moved one fish right away but after that it was rather slow. We decided to venture into another portion of the chain but the water levels were so low my husband stripped down into underwear to drag the boat through the channel all the way to the back lake.

We went fishing through the afternoon where he moved one fish. The last 15 minutes of fishing we decided to go back to the waypoint where he had moved the one musky and started casting. All of a sudden I hear him yell, and look to see him falling face first into the lake. I run up to grab the rod when I notice he’s fighting a musky in the water, so I grab the net. This musky is launching itself into the air, and at my husband with a bucktail hanging precariously out of its mouth. How he held tension long enough for me to be able to scoop the fish I’ll never know!

After fishing a full day the excitement and adrenaline rush was at an all time high. Once we both started to calm down, after a quick picture and safe release of the musky, my husband's teeth started chattering and he was shaking. I still laugh a little but he ended up having to strip down and wear my rain suit and hoodie home. It’s a memory I’ll never forget!

In prime fishing season - how many hours do you spend (on average) on the water? What tools / gear / accessories (etc.) help you out the most during your days on the water?

When it’s prime fishing season I spend all my free-time on the water. Summertime especially, we're spending days at a timeout on lakes and rivers. If I’m being honest I’ll be scared to see how many hours our motor currently has on it. With how we are able to organize our Alumacraft, we have more gear readily available to change up lures, presentation, and even the type of species we are targeting which helps to make the most out of our days on the water. We also have units that fit the alumatrack system, which have worked wonderfully to mount cameras to capture that next bite!

What advice would you have for someone who is just starting to discover the passion of fishing?

It’s always exciting to discover a new passion, and fishing offers a unique combination of relaxation, challenge, and connection with nature. My advice would be to learn from pros, watch videos online, ask questions, take trips, try new techniques. The more you branch out and try new things, the better and more well rounded angler you’ll become.

My Alumacraft Model

FOLLOW KRYSTEN ON SOCIAL

Instagram Facebook