Ugly Pike Podcast

It is that time of year again! The guys return to one of their favourite spots - Tama Kwa Vacationland on the daunting Lake Nipissing.  Despite being handcuffed by high winds, Chris and Frank talk about the challenges of the trip.  They are joined by ace muskie guide Matt O'Brien and, owner of Tama Kwa, Nikko Guido!

In this second part with Danny Colomby, Danny breaks down his formula for success.  We could have talked for hours with Danny and still not tapped the vast amount of knowledge that he has for this fishery.  For anyone fishing Lake Nipissing, this episode is an absolute must!  Points of discussion include:  Using Electronics and tech  Keeping records The West Arm Understanding the differences betwe...

Danny Colomby is more than just a muskie angler, he is a scientist as he would say.  His approach to muskie fishing is as thorough and meticulous as we have ever seen.  Danny is well known for his rich history of muskie fishing on Lake Nipissing and it would be tough to find anyone else who has spent more time on this fabled body of water.  We met Danny on the Lake a couple of years ago and are ve...

Episode 186: Full Moon Friday - If you dont eat your meat you can't have any pudding Chris and Frank recap Frank's recept season opener trip to the Rideau River and how bucking trends and conventional wisdom paid off on the water.  The guys also look down the road at their upcoming adventure back to Tama Kwa Vacationland to see friend of the show Nikko Guido and fish the mighty Lake Nipi...

In part 2 of our discussion with muskie guide Orlando Zecca we focus on working baits, building baits, and reacting to variable weather conditions that are often seen in Ontario's Sunset Country! Topics include:  -Tactics for targeting muskie early season on a lake like Lac Seul  -Logic behind downsizing bait early season  -Adapting to weather variability  -Lure building  -How to coordinate f...

We were fortunate to snag Lac Seul muskie guide Orlando Zecca while he was in Southern Ontario and convince him to meet us at the Ugly Pike brewery HQ for a good talk about hunting muskies on one of the greatest lakes for it in the world.  Orlando gives a sneak peak into what it is like to work as a guide in an epic lodge like Anderson's Lodge, on the storied Lac Seul before getting into a de...

In part 2 of our unique discussion with John Jarvis, we do a deep dive into identifying conditions for big fish.  Topics include: -How to find a lake with 60 inch muskies -Wanderlust fish  -Matching forage patterns for lure selection  -Barometer, air pressure and weather patterns 

John Jarvis has had over 12 years experience in the fishing services industry and his passion for learning has made him an adept muskie angler and guide.  We reached out to John so that we could get a perspective on the lesser known hidden gem muskie waters in Ontario's Sunset Country.  Currently John works out of the great Nordic Point Lodge on Lake Perrault, which is nestled between its big...

In this second part of our amazing interview with John Anderson, we pick up where we left off and John goes into even more detail on targeting and tactical strategies.  Part 2 will help you land more muskies, plain and simple.  In this conclusion of our chat we touch on the following subjects:    -John's off-season/summer camps and the ramp-up to the season! -How/why different bodies of water...

John Anderson is a Canadian Muskie Institution.  Despite the fact that he is one of the pioneers of Canadian muskie fishing and one of the best guides out there, and despite that we are lucky enough to share a boat with him from time to time, we are most thrilled in those times we get to hang out and spend time together because John is one heck of a guy.  Whether it is shooting the breeze, or digg...

In this second part of our chat with Johnny Lubera of Lubowski Lures, we get into bait construction and how to up your odds of hooking and landing fish when using single hook baits.  This was a very unique discussion and one that will give listeners new options for spinnerbaits, especially fishing heavy cover, weeds, or deeper water.  Points of discussion include:  Bait selection approaches  Singl...

It has been far too long since we sat with Johnny Lubera, maker of the famed Lubowski Spinnerbaits!  Johnny returns and we sat down over some cool, crisp Last Light Lagers at our Brewery in Beamsville to talk fishing and bait making.  Johnny runs a clinic on how to target these beasts and select the correct baits during the right times of year.  Makes us wonder why we waited so long to reconnect!...

In this Full Moon Friday episode Chris and Frank recap the recent Muskie Odyssey including why the guys changed the recipe for the upcoming Last Light Lager launch in May.  Then John Vinen and Cole Bailey, co-owners of Angling Sports in London, ON call in to talk about some great deals that they are offering anglers looking to gear up for the season, as well as an EPIC giveaway that they are partn...

IN this second part of our discussion with Eagle Lake guides Steve and Danny Herbeck, we focus on targeting big fish in one of the best muskie lakes on the planet.  Steve and Danny conclude with sharing some extraordinary stories that speak to the special relationship between a father and son and their times together on the water.  Points of discussion include:  Approaching/targeting certain depth...

Legends are rare in our sport but to get 2 in the same family is even harder to find!  On this episode we have an amazing discussion with Eagle Lake ace guides Steve and Danny Herbeck!  This season looks like it is going to be a great one on Eagle and Steve and Danny explain why and what to do to get your best chance at landing a famous Eagle Lake Giant!  Topics include: The State of the Eagle Lak...

The conclusion of our Live From the Toronto Sportsman's Show series is a whopper!  First off, Maxime Gilbert from Zale Outdoors stops by the booth to talk about Costa Sunglasses to educate us on how to pick the right style of sunglasses with the correct lenses for various types of water bodies and times of day.  Our chat is interrupted by a surprise guest from Chris' past - Taro Murata! ...

In Part 2 of our series Live from the Toronto Sportsman's Show, Chris and Frank begin the episode by recapping memorable booths and encounters on the show floor.  The guys then take a look forward at the offerings coming this Spring for the new Ugly Pike e-commerce store as well as a look at what the Ugly Pike Podcast will be doing at the 2024 Muskie Odyssey.   Following that, CJ and Hookset...

Episode 172 sees Chris and Frank broadcast live from the 2024 Toronto Sportsman's show!  First up, friend of the show Mike Parker drops by to talk about fishing Lake St Clair and what is new and exciting from Handlebarz Lures.  Then Luis "Top Dog" Pereira and Antonio "Smash" Meleca from the Eating Wild Podcast sit down to talk about a variety of topics including, their exc...

Part 2 in this exciting discussion turns its attention to how the 2024 Muskie Odyssey will be bigger, badder, and a lot more fun!  Ryan and Peter divulge the amazing details for this epic event, including: Odyssey when and where, and event itinerary Vendor list Speakers (including a science panel)  The brand new tackle swap event Why it's important / beneficial to buy tickets in advance!  

In part 2 of our discussion with Landry Smith, the discussion turns to focus on methods and targeting muskies.  Specifically, Landry puts on a clinic where modifying and repairing baits are concerned and also provides great insights into where and how to target big fish.  Topics include:  Deep water targeting  Casting methods - Situating or burying hooks into soft plastics for not fouling/getting...

In this session we sit down with Landry Smith, the creator of one of the most sought after and difficult to get rubber baits - the Rover Bait.  Landry not only talks about his journey as an accidental muskie enthusiast but also divulges a ton of information on great fishing methods, how to work baits, and how to target big muskies!  Points of interest for this awesome discussion include:  Changing...

Part 2 in our talk with John Pensyl goes into even more detail.  John's mastery of muskie fishing is on full display as he drills down on past and present methods and how he uses what he has learned, along with new approaches and innovations, to maximize the number of fish he puts in the boat.  A true master class. Points include:  How to take full advantage of presentation to catch more fish...

In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with and learn from a truly elite muskie angler - John Pensyl.  As we got into this conversation, it became apparent that John's casual facade underlies not only an incredible amount of time spent on the water but also a relentless level of detail to his approach.  This is an episode that will inspire all anglers to push themselves to the limit...

In this Full Moon Friday chat, the boys talk about Frank's recent trip down to the Chicago Musky Expo!  Chris and Frank talk about what was new and exciting at the show and how this event differs from the Muskie Odyssey that Canadian listeners are used to attending.  Following this, Master Butcher Robbie Aggarwal, owner of Norcini & Co. in Niagara Falls joins the discussion as the Ugly Pi...