Diaries of a Lodge Owner

A tornado on Lake Nipissing. Fifty anglers. Cameras sprinting through bush while boats pound eight‑footers—and a single log that quietly holds the winning bag. We pull back the curtain on The Last Call, the 2004 reality fishing series that pushed us to the edge and then reshaped our lives. From chaotic GPS races to head‑to‑head heats, you’ll hear how split‑second choices, sketchy weather, and uncl...

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...

The fish of 10,000 casts can feel like a slot machine with a mind of its own—and that’s exactly why we can’t stop chasing it. We dig into why muskie obsession grips so hard, how one strike wipes out weeks of slow days, and why the best stories aren’t always the biggest fish. Pat Tryon joins us to separate myth from data, sharing two decades of logs that show how lunar majors and minors consistentl...

We sit down with French River muskie guide Pat Tryon to explore what actually makes a trip unforgettable: humility, timing, and a sharp eye for what guests truly want. From long days chasing a single follow to easy afternoons spotting eagles and picking blueberries, we unpack how reading people—more than reading side imaging—defines success on the water. Pat takes us back to the moment that reshap...

A northern lodge season can turn on a single moment: a kid’s jig drops to a LiveScope mark and a 41.5-inch pike surges from the deep. We ride that energy across a year of big fish, bigger decisions, and the quiet math of winter planning that keeps a remote camp alive. Willie the Oil Man joins us for a no-filter catch-up on Two Rivers Lodge—what worked, what broke, and what we learned while chasing...

What keeps you casting when the lake goes dead quiet and your fingers are numb? We sit down with Ugly Pike co-host and Passador BJJ owner, Frank Ungaro, to map the shared DNA between landing trophy muskies, leading a thriving academy, and growing a podcast people trust. The common thread is obsession paired with integrity—showing up, learning fast, and respecting the community that makes the chase...

We share the unspoken truth about rental boat damage, how to read buoys with confidence, and the specific checks that keep people safe and motors alive. Scotty brings years of lodge management and mechanical know-how to help guests, cottagers, and new boaters avoid costly mistakes and winterize right. • following directions over copying locals’ shortcuts • red right return explained for headwaters...

A glass wall, a dozen yellow-eyed timber wolves, and a wind that wouldn’t let up—our northern run from Wawa to Timmins had all the ingredients for a trip that teaches more than it takes. We hit record in the truck ride home to unpack what really worked: turning ugly chop into a pattern, trusting shade over sunshine, and letting a leaky tin boat and a pair of deep-diving cranks do the heavy lifting...

What if the fastest way to build a profitable company is to stop building for profit? That’s the paradox at the heart of our conversation with Ron Ladner, the force behind Shaggy’s—the waterfront restaurant brand born in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and powered by a mission to make every guest leave happier than they arrived. We trace the journey from storm surge and rescue boats to a million gue...

What if “luck” isn’t your enemy in fishing, but the spark that starts every great pattern? We dive into the messy, humbling, and unforgettable moments that turn random bites into reliable tactics you can repeat—from a dead-herring stalemate to a flutter spoon inhaled on the drop, and the day a kid’s toy-sized inline spinner produced a 36" pike that fed an entire camp. We unpack the real formu...

Angelo Viola and Dean Taylor join us at Lodge 88 on Esnagi Lake for an exciting fishing adventure, sharing strategies and stories while filming for the 40th season of Fish'n Canada. • Live bait versus hard baits debate for northern lake walleye fishing • Understanding migration patterns of baitfish to locate predator fish • Following food sources like herring, suckers, and ciscos that attract...

What happens when someone who grew up with a speech impediment suddenly finds themselves co-hosting one of Canada's most iconic fishing shows? Dean Taylor's journey from behind-the-scenes team member to on-air personality for Fish'n Canada reveals the power of facing our fears head-on. Dean never imagined he'd be in front of the camera. Growing up with a stutter that made class...

The wilderness has a way of teaching its toughest lessons at the most inconvenient moments. Steve Niedzwiecki pulls back the curtain on the chaotic realities of running a northern fishing lodge, where Murphy's Law isn't just a saying—it's practically a business partner. Steve's first year of ownership coincided with historic drought conditions on the French River, creating a pe...

Ever wondered what happens at your favorite fishing lodge when the boats are stored and the last guest drives away? The magic of those perfect summer days on the water doesn't materialize from thin air—it's crafted through months of behind-the-scenes work during what lodge owners call "the hidden seasons." The rhythmic cycle of lodge ownership follows a pattern invisible to mos...

The legend returns! After mysteriously disappearing, Willie "the Oil Man" has resurfaced at Two Rivers Lodge in northwestern Ontario. This episode reveals his ambitious journey of resurrection—transforming an abandoned fishing resort into a premium wilderness destination. Willie walks us through the extraordinary challenges his team faced: a main lodge sinking into the water, wildlife re...

Have you ever wondered what life might look like if you actually pursued the thing that makes you leap out of bed in the morning? Jake Monk's journey offers a rare glimpse into what happens when passion meets opportunity and purpose finds its perfect home. Jake's adventure begins unexpectedly when, as a teenager obsessed with fishing but with limited experience, he wins a contest for a s...

Escape to the edge of wilderness luxury in this eye-opening conversation with Rick Dolishny, who alongside partner Jenn Carr has created Ontario's most innovative glamping experience at Maynooth Station Lodge.  Rick shares the fascinating journey of bringing North America's only double-paned glass panoramic geodesic dome to life near Algonquin Park. This isn't just camping with bett...

Spend an hour with JP Bushey, and you'll quickly understand why his reputation as one of eastern Georgian Bay's premier fishing guides has spread far beyond Ontario's shores. Unlike those who picked up a rod five years ago after watching a YouTube sensation, JP's connection to these waters spans four generations – fishing isn't just what he does, it's literally in his...

Nestled in the heart of Northern Ontario's wilderness, Buck Lake Lodge stands as a testament to authentic backcountry experiences. Owner John Moffatt welcomes us with stories that span generations, having been born into a trapping family and nearly delivered in a remote cabin. His journey from childhood in the bush to engineering school and ultimately back to lodge ownership reveals a deep co...

Ever wondered what happens when a childhood fascination becomes a thriving business? Meet Terri Faloney, the passionate force behind Hammer Hives, whose journey from curious novice to "bee whisperer" offers a masterclass in following your calling. Terri's story begins with loss and a farm that had lost its vitality. Looking to bring life back to her family property, she turned to ho...

Stepping off a float plane into the pristine wilderness of Northern Ontario – tired, dirty, and utterly happy – is the moment Melanie Veilleux lives for. As the owner of Hearst Air, she's witnessed this transformation countless times over nearly five decades in the outfitting business. Born into the family operation when her father pursued his dream of bush plane flying, Melanie offers rare i...

When the thermometer pushes past 30°C at a wilderness lodge, everything changes. The heat transforms more than just the comfort level—it reshapes the entire rhythm of the north, from fish behavior to guest experiences and staff management. In this scorching episode of Diaries of a Lodge Owner, I take you through the unvarnished realities of managing extreme heat in the wilderness when air conditio...

Ever wondered what truly separates an ordinary fishing trip from an extraordinary one? It might just be the person sitting next to you in the boat. Great fishing guides transform what could be a simple day on the water into a rich tapestry of experiences, stories, and connections that last long after the rods are packed away. As someone who built a successful lodge business on Ontario's Frenc...

Ever watched the sun rise over a pristine northern lake and thought, "I could do this for a living"? Before you mortgage your home and cash in your retirement savings, you need to hear the raw, unfiltered truth about what it really takes to run a fishing lodge. Steve Niedzwiecki, former owner of Chaudière Lodge on Ontario's French River, pulls back the curtain on the reality behind...

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to turn your fishing lodge dream into reality? Willie and Krista Pawlowsky pull back the curtain on their latest adventure - purchasing and launching Two Rivers Lodge in northwestern Ontario in under 60 days. The couple shares their journey from vision to execution with remarkable candour. After stepping away from Nordic Point Lodge, they weren't pl...