Courchesne is working on getting her pilot’s licence, recently studied fish and wildlife conservation at Sault College and loves learning new things such as fly fishing, fly tying, photography, birding and foraging in the wild. Courchesne is a driven and determined woman. Courchesne knows no matter how passionate you may be about something, you still have to earn it every time and that doesn’t always come easy.
“Being a True Wild Northerner to me means, not being afraid to put some blood sweat and tears into something you’re passionate about,” she said. “To not give up but learn during the inevitable hardships that come along with the sometimes-difficult lifestyle we ‘insist’ on putting ourselves through. I was brought up in a family that had a deep affinity for the outdoors so it is no surprise to me that I’ve inherited the passion here. When I set out to accomplish something new, doing so usually leads to trying out some-other-thing new in return. There are endless lessons to be learnt out there, you just have to listen, be open minded and persevere when things get a little tough; because sometimes, they do.”
Northern Ontario holds a special place in Courchesne’s heart and always will. She loves the world-class fishing and hunting opportunities afforded to her and others in the region. Whether it is setting her sights on a moose or setting the hook on a musky, northern Ontario is all good to Courchesne.
“The pure night skies, the clean waters and the changing of seasons, everything seems to be so breathtakingly beautiful,” she said. “It is a place where I am proud to call my home and forever my preferred exploring grounds.