Author: Lisa Roper

Taking my fifteen-year-old son, Tristan, on a seven-day wolf hunting trip southwest of Sundre, Alberta, was an adventure we would never forget. As I drove, my truck twisted and turned along the winding road, mirroring the curves of the river to our left. Ahead of us, the majestic Rocky Mountains rose proudly, each peak wrapped in a blanket of snow, glistening under the winter sun. The further we drove, the landscape became a stunning tapestry of rugged beauty and untouched wilderness. Every mile brought us closer to our destination and the promise of a week filled with challenges, bonding, and…

One Woman’s Battle to Conquer the Elements As outdoor men and women, we embrace what nature has to offer: lush wilderness, fast-moving rivers, sky-piercing mountains, still waters and an abundance of wildlife. Spending our days hunting, fishing and being present in nature is where we find our best time for solitary reflection. It’s where we go to elevate our well-being and allow pre-existing stressors and pressures in our lives to dissipate, making room for our inner grounded soul to feel alive. Whether I’m in a hunting camp with friends or family, embarking on a do-it-yourself fly-in fishing trip, sleeping on…

As winter descends upon us and lakes begin to freeze, the anticipation of the ice fishing season sets in like the prospect of presents wakes children early on Christmas morning. Ice fishing is a winter sport that has gained immense popularity in the past 10 years. Drilling a hole through the frozen surface of a body of water and dropping a line with a baited hook into the frigid waters below may sound intimidating, but it is a great way to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the winter season. Ice fishing has often been perceived as a male-dominated…

The early-morning July sunrise lit the way as my wheels hit the pavement heading east to Saskatchewan. Country music played quietly in the background as my mind raced ahead. What lure would I start with? What technique would work best? What species to target first? The five-hour drive to the Saskatoon airport went by in no time. With all my gear in tow, I was greeted by a very friendly attendant. Hearing of my solo fishing trip to Northern Saskatchewan brought up a story of her first fishing trip as a child. I walked away smiling. As I waited to…

My boots connect with the icy snow. It is a sound I have come to love in the stillness of the morning before the sun crests the horizon. Pulling my sleigh across the frozen lake, ice fishing gear in tow, I drill my first hole and drop a line into the ice-chilled depths of the water.  Ice fishing for lake trout is an experience long before you even hook a fish. It’s -40˚C and my line and holes are freezing up quicker than I can keep them cleared. I know I won’t last long in these elements, so I set…

Like many young girls, I concluded early in life that a horse was a necessary component for an exciting, adventure-filled life. Growing up, my uncle had horses. When I was five years old, I would wait until the horses lay down, sneak into the pen and climb up onto their backs. Eventually, they would get up and walk around, never threatened by my presence. Several years later, my dad arrived home with a dozen wild horses. With time, dedication and determination, I was able to befriend them. Often, they allowed me to brush them, feed them carrots taken from the…

Are you looking for a great way to spend time outdoors, harvest natural protein and have fun, but you aren’t clear where or how to start? Then follow along! I was fortunate to grow up in a family where we spent quality time hunting and fishing; it was a way of life for us. But for those who didn’t grow up in a family of hunt- ers or have a hunting mentor, don’t let that discourage you. The idea can seem overwhelming at first, but with some time, effort and research, you will begin to find the confidence to challenge…

There are countless reasons why we fish, so gauging success in fishing will depend on what’s important to you. Some people have a strong passion for repeatedly casting a line for a fish they can’t see, in the depths of a lake they have never been on, without a guarantee of landing one. Others, however, don’t see the point in any of that. Both sides of this equation have played out for me and my son. I could fish every day, all day. Yet, as a young teen, my son didn’t understand how anyone could spend that much time sitting…

It is September. My car window is down, and the warm breeze and sun are gracing my face. The sky is a magnificent blue with no clouds or any chance of rain. I have a seemingly endless view of peaceful lakes, thick boreal forest, untamed rivers, slow-trickling creeks, and rolling grass-covered hills. I’m located two hours north of Edmonton, Alberta. As I turn off the paved highway, a tunnel of trees guides me down a long, windy country road to the boat launch on the large, fast-moving, mountain-fed North Saskatchewan River. As an avid angler, I regularly pursue walleye, pike,…

That’s When the World Goes Quiet Ice fishing on Tobin Lake means big skies, beautiful pike, and cold hands. When there’s a trophy fish on the line, time stands still. I spend countless days sitting on frozen lakes staring down an augured hole targeting multi-species on Alberta lakes. I drop a line in the depths of the ice-cold water and target fish for different reasons, but when the bait takes a hit, and the line goes tight, something inside me changes. My outside world fades. I am alive and overwhelmed with hope and gratefulness. When the opportunity came for my…