BY MAT KOPRASH
For Wild Northerner
Red pines surround you; the forest floor beneath your feet is covered in a bed of needles; the crisp cool air fills your lungs and a fresh scent sends your mind through a series on fond memories.
We have all stood in this frozen moment in time, completely engulfed with a feeling of nostalgia. I know every time I step into the woods for any of my many hunts, fishing excursions or a simple hike, I can’t help but reflect on the excellent times I have been blessed with and the people I have shared them with.
Fall brings to mind so many great activities that I cannot wait to take part in, and Labour Day weekend always sets these into motion. The realization that waterfowl and grouse are just around the corner, lakes are starting to cool down and fish are beginning their transition to fall patterns, cooler evenings are leading into shorter days, all providing Mother Nature with the clues to put her lipstick on all of northern Ontario. How can one not love the season that we are about to embark on? Fall or autumn is one of the most breathtaking seasons that we’re truly blessed to experience in its entirety.
Early mornings bring back some of my fondest memories as they tend to be filled with the anticipation of a bounty of ducks, geese or grouse. I don’t know whether it’s the steam coming off my fresh hot coffee, or the peaceful surroundings and crisp air while laying out the decoy spread, but there is just something to it that keeps bringing me back without hesitation. No matter if the day is filled with a limit, a close call, that missed shot or a series of comical but unfortunate events, they all come back to mind. Not all the nostalgic memories are of the times you barely had to try, and the flocks of divers were filling your decoys; often they are the times where everything went wrong, like a time when I drove two hours from home, hoped out to chase some grouse, bent down to tie my boots, and heard my tire steadily leaking air. Upon further investigation, it was a piece of a railway tie, and there was no spare tire to be seen. The rest is a long story; but how could I ever head out grouse hunting and not look back at time this without smirking and shaking my head.
Fishing is a part of my every breath and each day I am filled with memories or thoughts on of my past and future outings. Some of my greatest moments angling have come during the fall. Trophy class fish of all species are awaiting your bait to be conveniently placed directly in front of them for the taking. Musky, bass, walleye and the multiple trout species are feeding in preparation of the winter months ahead. This is a sure bet that they will be gorging on bait and exceeding weights that impressed you during the summer months. Please do not make the mistake I have done in the years past and put your boat into storage solely focusing on the hunt or changing of the season. Tough it out and you can thank me later - just have faith in the lakes you choose and you shall be rewarded greatly.
Nature walks and explorations with your loved ones, including spouse, children and loyal bread, while being surrounded by the changing colours is always an amazing facet of nature. This never ceases to amaze me. The way birch and poplar tree’s change to a yellow, and maples and oak trees change to orange and red hues is all pretty spectacular. The progression leads to the forest floor being blanketed in a sea of colours, and allows your sight to carry past the dense forest it once was. These transformations are a true blessing from Mother Nature that each one of us is truly grateful to have been provided the opportunity to witness.
I am not sure if you were able to wander off with me while reading these words, but I sure know that I cannot wait to build from these memories this fall and allow northern Ontario to spoil me at my every turn. Get your thinking cap on and be prepared for some of the best adventures of the year, leave the comfort of your home behind, dress for the occasion and put some miles in the wilderness that surrounds our wonderful communities.