.png)
Diaries of a Lodge Owner
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.
Episodes
102 episodes
Episode 101: The Art and Value of a Great Guide
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 tapest...
•
Episode 101
•
1:32:00
.png)
Episode 100: The Hidden Costs of Lodge Ownership
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...
•
Episode 100
•
1:28:09
Episode 99: Lets Do It All Again
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 ...
•
Episode 99
•
55:57
Episode 98: Honeybee Homesteading - Starting Your Backyard Hive
The sweet golden nectar we call honey might be the most remarkable food on earth—the only substance that truly never expires. Egyptian tombs revealed 5,000-year-old honey still perfectly edible, a testament to nature's most extraordinary preser...
•
Episode 98
•
1:09:25
Episode 97: A Week In The Life Of Steve
A flame flickers inside the wheel well of a beloved 1992 Ford F-250, threatening to consume it. Just days earlier, another flame—hope for the Toronto Maple Leafs—had burned briefly before being extinguished in yet another Game 7 heartbreak. Suc...
•
Episode 97
•
1:11:34
Episode 96: How the Best Casting Spots Are Found While Trolling
What makes a three-mile stretch of seemingly uniform weed line suddenly produce fish in one specific spot? Why do nine out of ten strikes happen in the exact same location? These are the questions that separate casual anglers from true fishing ...
•
Episode 96
•
1:13:58
Episode 95: Steel Wheels and Wild Places - A Train Engineer's Life
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to control thousands of tons of steel, stretching nearly three miles behind you? In this captivating conversation, Willie sits down with Matt Oleski, a train engineer whose decade-long railway career pr...
•
Episode 95
•
54:38
Episode 94: Weathering Life's Storms
Some of life's greatest lessons emerge from weathering unexpected storms. In this deeply reflective episode, I explore how the literal thunderstorms of Northern Ontario and the metaphorical storms of major life decisions have shaped my journey ...
•
Episode 94
•
1:03:30
Episode 93: The Art of Shore Lunch
There's something magical about outdoor gatherings—those special moments where food, nature, and companionship blend together to create lasting memories. In this episode, Willie the Oil Man takes us deep into the art of the shore lunch, a belov...
•
Episode 93
•
1:18:22
Episode 92: Ancestral Healing - One Man's Journey from Illness to Self-Sufficiency
Gary Tibo's life story reads like an adventure through Canada's cultural identity. Raised in the Sudbury Basin with Aboriginal roots—his father a Beothuk native from Newfoundland—Gary grew up hunting with a loaded gun at age ten, bringing fish ...
•
Episode 92
•
1:32:42
Episode 91: Planning Your Ultimate Canadian Outdoor Experience
From the moment a float plane touches down on a remote lake to the camaraderie of sharing stories around a community dinner table, the outdoor adventures waiting in Canada's wilderness create memories that last a lifetime. In this captivating e...
•
Episode 91
•
1:24:20
Episode 90: Northern Pike, Missed Opportunities, and TV Drama on Ontario's Upper French
Ever had that perfect fishing moment slip away? Now imagine it happening on international television.When British angler Matt Hayes and German social media star Babs Kijewski arrived at Chaudière Lodge in 2015, Steve Niedzwiecki was det...
•
Episode 90
•
1:14:29
Episode 89: From Winnipeg to the Tundra - How Lake Trout Changed My Life
Deep within Canada's Arctic territory lies a world most Canadians will never experience - a place where snowmobiles are purchased at the grocery store alongside milk, where polar bears rip steel doors off community freezers to steal walrus meat...
•
Episode 89
•
1:10:42
Episode 88: A Springtime Guide to Rural Living
As winter's grip begins to loosen and the snow starts melting away, Willie and I find ourselves eagerly anticipating spring's arrival. There's something magical about these seasonal transitions – that feeling of renewal and the rush of exciteme...
•
Episode 88
•
1:06:09
Episode 87: Betting It All on Crow Rock - One Man's Leap into Lodge Ownership
What does it take to risk everything for a dream? Sean McAughey, the passionate new owner of Crow Rock Lodge on Lake of the Woods, knows that feeling all too well. In this captivating conversation, Sean walks us through his remarkable journey f...
•
Episode 87
•
1:40:05
Episode 86: What I Learned from 40 Days of Fasting
In this episode, we dig into my unique experience of completing a 40-day water fast, exploring various health aspects, how to deal with cravings, and the importance of routine. It’s not just about fasting; it’s a deeper story about health, moti...
•
Episode 86
•
2:11:27
Episode 85: What's Up With Willy?
Step into the icy realms of Northern Ontario as we share tales of adventure, survival, and reflection in our latest podcast episode. Our journey begins with a heart-pounding story of getting trapped on an ice-covered island, accompanied by chil...
•
Episode 85
•
1:12:38
Episode 84: Snowmobile Adventures and the Ice Roads of Ontario
Snowmobile enthusiasts, gear up for a journey into the heart of winter maintenance with Andrew Johnston from Lakeside Marina. Andrew shares his expert tips on keeping your snowmobile batteries in top shape and sheds light on how disconnecting a...
•
Episode 84
•
1:10:13
Episode 83: From Lodges to Lifestyle: A Journey of Innovation and Mindfulness
Can technology truly revolutionize the lodge industry? Discover how Noah , the innovative developer behind Treqit, is transforming lodge management through his groundbreaking software. With a background rooted in both computer science and a fam...
•
Episode 83
•
1:34:42
Episode 82: David MacLachlan and the Legendary Lodge 88
Join us on an unforgettable journey through Northern Ontario's rich tourism heritage as we sit down with David MacLachlan, a key figure in the region's tourism landscape. Discover the fascinating generational tales behind Lodge 88, a legacy of ...
•
Episode 82
•
1:20:14
Episode 81: The Bait Man
Kyle Zachary shares his remarkable journey of entrepreneurship in Northern Ontario, balancing multiple ventures in bait trapping, guiding, and barbering. His commitment to quality service and customer satisfaction in each area reflects his pass...
•
Episode 81
•
1:31:16
Episode 80: Behind the Rod - Willie and Krysta's Lodge Legacy
Willie and Krysta share their compelling journey at Nordic Point Lodge, filled with unexpected challenges, heartfelt memories, and the strength of their partnership. Their insights reveal the importance of community, teamwork, and resilience in...
•
Episode 80
•
1:10:43
Episode 79: Generations United by Angling and Altruism
Jerry Kruczek shares his journey as both an avid angler and a dedicated philanthropist, showcasing how fishing can inspire positive change in the community. Through his involvement with Fish Futures Inc., he emphasizes the importance of teachin...
•
Episode 79
•
57:52
Epiosde 78: Year in Review Continued
This episode reflects on a year of challenges and triumphs as two lodge owners share stories of their adventures, staffing dilemmas, and memorable events. They emphasize the importance of community within the lodge and the beauty of experiencin...
•
Episode 78
•
1:19:14