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 formula behind those storybook catches: preparedness meeting opportunity. That means tightening the weak links you can control—premium snaps, fresh leaders, clean guides, solid knots—and then putting in the time that multiplies your odds. It also means staying loose enough to hear what the water is saying today. You’ll hear how a painful snap failure reshaped gear discipline forever, why post-frontal fish often slide shallow into skinny weeds, and how small, subtle blades can outfish “right” baits when conditions go flat. We revisit the “stump trap” and show how to keep principles—current, shade, wind lanes—while letting go of dead-end spots that once produced a unicorn.

Guiding lessons and campfire honesty run through it all: belief keeps you casting with focus, guests’ confidence baits can unlock stubborn days, and time on the water is the only true luck-multiplier. Whether you chase muskies, northerns, walleye, or lake trout, you’ll walk away with a playbook for turning accidents into patterns, patterns into confidence, and confidence into more resilient, joyful days on the water.

If this conversation made you rethink luck, subscribe, share it with a fishing partner, and leave a quick review. Then tell us: what “lucky” moment became your favourite pattern?

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 game fish
• East Coast tuna fishing experiences and the highly regulated nature of the fishery
• Traditional fishing techniques using anchors and marker buoys when electronics aren't available
• The physical and mental challenge of fighting large fish for extended periods
• Boat control strategies when fishing without spot-lock trolling motors
• The importance of hiring local guides to quickly learn productive fishing spots

Join us for our next adventure as we put these strategies to the test and see whether live bait or hard baits will prove more effective for Esnagi Lake walleye.

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 classroom presentations nearly impossible, he channeled his passion for fishing into writing instead. But everything changed during an unexpected filming session at Lodge 88 when Angelo Viola threw him into the hosting role with zero preparation. Watching the footage later, Dean was stunned to see himself speaking fluently – a breakthrough moment that opened doors he thought would remain forever closed.

The conversation between Steve and Dean reveals the genuine wonder they both feel about their roles with the legendary Fish'n Canada brand. As the show celebrates its 40th season on air, there's a palpable sense of responsibility and gratitude from both men. They share candid stories about adjusting to on-camera life, navigating co-hosting dynamics, and the surreal experience of working alongside industry icons they once watched on television.

The episode takes an unexpected turn when Steve recounts his harrowing experience fighting a forest fire on the French River – what began as a small campsite fire quickly exploded into a ten-acre blaze threatening nearby cottages. His firsthand account of community members rallying with fire pumps alongside professional firefighters offers a powerful reminder about outdoor safety and responsibility.

Whether you're an aspiring outdoor content creator, a fishing enthusiast, or someone facing your own obstacles, Dean's story demonstrates how our greatest limitations often exist primarily in our minds. Subscribe now to hear more conversations with the personalities shaping Canadian outdoor culture and get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes Fish'n Canada a national treasure four decades running.

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 perfect storm for boat damage. With water levels so low that even experienced guides were hitting rocks, guests in rental boats faced an obstacle course of underwater hazards. Over 200 propellers were damaged that season alone, leading to uncomfortable conversations about responsibility and payment. From the guest who destroyed two engines in the same trip by hitting the identical rock twice, to another who allegedly "lost" a brand-new engine overboard while doing donuts, these stories highlight the delicate balance between customer service and business survival.

Mother Nature proves to be both the lodge's greatest attraction and its most formidable adversary. Steve recounts a recent forest fire that began as an unattended campfire and rapidly consumed 10-15 acres before being controlled by a community effort. He shares a personal near-miss when he slipped on a dock during a violent storm, narrowly avoiding a potentially fatal fall into the churning water. This experience fundamentally changed his approach to staff safety protocols. Then there was the four-day power outage that created a nightmare scenario with backed-up septic systems, teaching him the hard lesson of preparedness that led to investing in multiple generators.

The wildlife stories add both charm and challenges to lodge life—from "Earl" the bear who became too comfortable entering buildings, to mischievous otters stashing fish carcasses under the dock house, to a helpful little mink that cleaned dead minnows from boats. Each creature interaction required different management approaches, balancing guest experience with safety concerns.

Through these candid stories of disasters dodged and lessons learned, Steve reveals why lodge ownership, despite its many challenges, creates such deep connections and unforgettable experiences.

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 most guests. As Thanksgiving marks the season's end, an emotional reset begins alongside the monumental task of winterizing an entire island property. Family and returning staff gather for one final celebration before tackling deep cleaning, plumbing shutdown, and protective measures against the harsh northern winter. These closing rituals—washing every Hudson's Bay blanket, disassembling washing machine solenoids, and covering screened porches—create some of the most cherished memories for lodge owners.

The off-season transforms into a race against nature's calendar. Massive infrastructure projects like rebuilding century-old fireplaces or pouring concrete pathways become possible only during these quiet months. One project alone required handling 1,100 bags of concrete multiple times—from mainland store to boat to island to mixer—all by hand. Meanwhile, the business side continues with booking management, equipment maintenance, and strategic planning for the coming year. Unlike traditional lodge marketing that once required traveling to sportsman shows across North America, today's success comes from creating such memorable experiences that guests become natural ambassadors.

Spring brings its own challenges as ice-out timing remains unpredictable, sometimes compressing weeks of opening procedures into mere days. Through it all, the emotional sustainability of this lifestyle hinges on these quieter seasons providing the necessary reset. As one owner reflects, "I don't think I would have lasted as long as I did if you didn't have an off-season." So next time you're enjoying that perfect sunset from the dock, remember the months of northern grit and dedication that made that moment possible.

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 reclaiming the buildings (including bears using the shuffleboard table as a toilet), and devastating forest fires that nearly derailed the entire project. Yet through ingenuity and determination, they've created something spectacular. The elite-level cabins have been restored to their former glory, while innovative techniques like using airbags to re-level a massive lakefront deck showcase their resourcefulness.

What makes Two Rivers truly special is its unique location at the convergence of four major Canadian watersheds—creating a fishery that produces trophy specimens across multiple species. Willie shares stories of incredible fishing success: 74 fish before 10:30am, northern pike exceeding 40 inches, and muskie adventures where first-time anglers are connecting with multiple trophy fish in a single day.

Perhaps most remarkable is the appearance of an extremely rare albino beaver on the property—considered by local indigenous communities to be a powerful spiritual sign of protection and good fortune. This extraordinary encounter happened just days after the team had disposed of a damaged taxidermy specimen of the same rare creature that had been in the lodge.

Rather than maximizing capacity, Willie is deliberately keeping Two Rivers intimate—focusing on exceptional experiences for a limited number of guests. It's a philosophy that prioritizes sustainability, conservation, and creating authentic connections to this special wilderness environment.

Ready for your own northern adventure? Experience the resurrection of Two Rivers Lodge firsthand—where wildlife, walleye, and Willie await to create memories that will last a lifetime.

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 stay at Chaudière Lodge. That single trip plants a seed that would take years to fully bloom. Working at the lodge as a young adult, Jake develops foundational skills in outdoor hospitality while forming connections that would shape his future. Though his path leads through boat sales and various careers in the marine industry, something keeps pulling him back to the water.

The turning point arrives when Jake makes the bold decision to leave Southern Ontario behind and relocate to Sault Ste. Marie in the Algoma region. This move isn't just about the dramatically more affordable housing (though finding a three-bedroom home for under $350K certainly helps); it's about reconnecting with what matters. The slower pace, the genuine community connections, and most importantly, the unparalleled access to world-class fishing waters creates the perfect environment for Jake to build something authentic.

Now guiding full-time in a region where nearly every freshwater species swims within a two-hour radius, Jake has discovered what many spend a lifetime searching for – work that transcends the paycheck. "This is the one thing I would say in my whole life where I wake up excited, I enjoy doing it, and if I won the lottery one day and money was no object, I would still want to do this," he shares with the kind of conviction that can't be manufactured.

His story serves as both inspiration and practical roadmap for anyone questioning their current path. The career satisfaction Jake found didn't come from chasing status or money, but from creating experiences that mirror the transformative moments from his own youth. Every client represents a chance to spark that same love of fishing that changed his own life trajectory years ago.

Ready to reimagine what your relationship with work could be? Listen to Jake's full conversation and consider what might be possible if you followed your own compass north – whether literally or figuratively – toward the life that's been waiting for you all along.

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 better amenities—it's a revolutionary approach to wilderness tourism where modern comforts meet forest immersion. The dome features air conditioning, gigabit internet, a private hot tub for stargazing, and yes, a proper flush toilet that even the most luxury-minded travelers appreciate.

What makes this story particularly compelling is how quickly Maynooth Station Lodge found success. Despite regulatory hurdles with Ontario's building codes that weren't designed for round structures, Rick and Jenn persevered. Now, just weeks after opening, they're completely booked through October, attracting urban professionals from Toronto and international travelers from as far as Germany. Their contactless check-in model perfectly matches what younger travelers are actively seeking—privacy, independence, and seamless technology integration in a natural setting.

Beyond the dome itself, Rick has woven together a network of local adventure experiences—from UTV tours to whitewater rafting—creating a comprehensive wilderness getaway that benefits the entire Maynooth community. Local businesses report dramatic increases in visitors, with travelers arriving in everything from family minivans to white Porsche convertibles.

Whether you're dreaming of your own glamping getaway or considering entering the outdoor hospitality business yourself, this episode offers invaluable insights into the future of tourism.