Featured Angler: Lisa Roper

Our featured angler this month is Lisa Roper. She is a multi-species angler from Northeaster Albera who recently signed with Bass Pro Shops.  Read her story below!

ABOUT LISA ROPER

I am from a small town in Northeastern Alberta.  I have fished most of my life (Northern Pike, Walleye) and love the thrill of the bite.  I enjoy hunting for big Northern Pike. I really enjoy catching Northern Pike over 40 inches which I feel completely blessed as it takes hard work and dedication and have caught many that are in the 35 inches plus range.

When I am out fishing, and I allow myself, in that moment, to let go of all the unfinished work that needs to be done, the phone calls that need to be made, and the paperwork waiting for attention – it is then that I become totally absorbed in the journey with the fish.  

I enjoy inspiring other people to go fishing.  One of the greatest compliments is when I hear someone say, “Your picture/story encouraged me to take my boat out.”

HER FAVORITE CATCH

Fishing in June is one of my favourite times of the year. The ice has disappeared into the water and the temperature is beginning to warm up. The days are longer which means there are more hours to fish.  

Dad and I were excited to get out fishing as the day before had been a very successful trip. With hopes of catching the big one, we left the dock around 5pm and headed to the north side of the lake. The evening was gorgeous, the water was like glass, and we decided to cast out our lines. Almost immediately, we started catching fish; they were feisty and didn’t disappoint. We had been out for a few hours and the wind started to pick up slightly as the sun began its evening descent to the west.  

We decided we could make a few more cast before heading home.  With the release of my line into the reflection of the sun on the water, I had a good feeling. As I let my hook sink down – between two weed beds, into the depths of the lake – I started reeling. 

“My hook took a hit like I had never felt before, my rod bowed down over the boat, and my line trembled as it peeled off the reel.”

This was no ordinary Pike. He had so much strength and stamina. Just when I thought he was done running and I began reeling, in an instant, he turns and pulls down deeper.  I know I’ll be in trouble if he manages to take me on a journey through the weed beds.

Every chance I have I reel in line keeping it tight. By now, Dad has reeled in his line and is waiting patiently with the net. Suddenly I get a break – I feel the pike relax and I start reeling faster. With the rod handle wedged between my left forearm and ribs, I can’t help but wonder if this is the pike I’ve been waiting for.  

To my surprise, and with one big motion, he breaks the water – and in that moment I have even more respect for this pike, as I realize the battle is not over. Powerful and wise, he takes back control, and my hook along with it. I am trying to stay calm – Dad, excitedly offering all kinds of advice to successfully bring this fish to the boat – but my adrenaline begins to take over. I decide not to challenge the fish’s power, but instead to wait for him to stop running. I manage to keep him out of the weed beds and start to feel him getting tired. Steadily now, I begin to reel him in, and with each turn of the handle I feel my heart pounding harder. With the pike’s head thrashing and still attempting to fight the line, we finally catch sight of him – all of him.

My memory of the next few seconds, which felt like minutes, was my raised voice saying, “Get him in the net!” After a few missed attempts, Dad finally had him contained. The excitement of bringing that Northern Pike into the boat is a memory I will never forget. It was my personal best, and I’m not sure who was more excited: Dad or me.

Fishing to me will always be so much more than catching fish. It’s about traditions, relationships, adventures, and the thrill of having a fish on your line – moments we remember forever. It’s about the determination to try again tomorrow when you came up short today. It’s about really appreciating and respecting the journey with the fish.

The most important piece of advice I can give is to have fun, spend the time understanding the fish you are looking for, and always be prepared to catch the big one.  I believe catch and release is a healthy way to maintain our fish populations so whenever possible I encourage you to return the big ones back into the water.

Happy Fishing Everyone – Lisa Roper

You can learn more about Lisa at @alberta_roper_girl on Instagram.