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Diaries of a Lodge OwnerAuthor: Outdoor Journal Radio Podcast Network
In 2009, sheet metal mechanic, Steve Niedzwiecki, turned his passions into reality using steadfast belief in himself and his vision by investing everything in a once-obscure run-down Canadian fishing lodge.After ten years, the now-former lodge owner and co-host of The Fish'n Canada Show is here to share stories of inspiration, relationships and the many struggles that turned his monumental gamble into one of the most legendary lodges in the country. From anglers to entrepreneurs, athletes to conservationists; you never know who is going to stop by the lodge. Language: en-ca Genres: Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Sports, Wilderness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Episode 122: Walleye, Wolves, And A Year in the North
Episode 122
Wednesday, 3 December, 2025
Some seasons don’t just hand you fish; they hand you perspective. We kicked off with cold rivers, hot saunas, and the truth every lodge owner knows—how you close determines how you open—then rolled into a year that tested instincts, technology, and our sense of community on the water.At Buck Lake, we arrived dreaming of 12-pound walleye and walked into a masterclass in humility. LiveScope showed “nothing,” confidence dipped, and we over-scanned instead of fishing. Then Pete stepped in with quiet precision, rigged a drop shot with live bait, and built a standout walleye segment in under two hours. We unpack why that worked, how irregular rock hides fish from forward-facing sonar, and how to keep your head straight when screens go blank. The takeaway: tech is a tool, not a verdict, and good mechanics still win.The road took us from the shining floors and dialled service of Lodge 88 to Air Dale Lodge and Timmins’ Cedar Meadows, where cabins back onto a timber wolf reserve. Timmins surprised us with urban lakes stacked with walleye, plus a bigger story: six-figure mine jobs, real housing affordability, and a life where you can clock out at 4:30 and be casting by five. And in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia, we witnessed the revival of the world’s oldest bluefin tuna tournament—run by volunteers, powered by heritage, funding a museum, and reminding us what a fishing community can feel like when everyone shows up.We close with family-first choices, a fall muskie that was short, thick, and heavy, and a new way to troll: watching baits ride over rock in real time, spotting fouled lures instantly, and seeing follows as they happen. Those moments stitched together a theme—balance the screen with your senses, lean on people who care, and make space for the traditions that outlast any bite window. If you love walleye, muskies, bluefin lore, or the craft of using LiveScope without letting it use you, you’ll find something here to take to the boat.
