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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
120 episodes
Episode 119: First Season At Two Rivers Lodge
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 ke...
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Episode 119
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1:09:05
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Episode 118: How Chasing Trophy Muskies Teaches Leadership, Discipline, And The Long Game
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 growi...
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Episode 118
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1:14:45
Episode 117: Preventing Rental Boat Disasters On Northern Waters
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, ...
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Episode 117
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1:00:05
Episode 116: Winds, Wolves, and Walleye
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 reall...
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Episode 116
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1:04:49
Episode 115: From Katrina’s Ruins to a Beloved Waterfront Brand
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 K...
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Episode 115
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1:21:18
Episode 114: Manufacturing “luck” through time on the water
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 ...
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Episode 114
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1:34:51
Episode 113: Following the Food - Predator Fish and Migration Patterns
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 ...
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Episode 113
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1:04:26
Episode 112: Finding a Voice in Canadian Fishing
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 reve...
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Episode 112
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1:04:56
Episode 111: When Things Go Wrong At The Lodge
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 pract...
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Episode 111
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1:09:55
Episode 110: The Hidden Seasons of Lodge Life
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-...
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Episode 110
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1:15:04
Episode 109: The Return of Willie?
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 pre...
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Episode 109
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1:09:04
Episode 108: Fishing, Finding Purpose, and Full Circle Moments
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 p...
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Episode 108
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1:18:22
Episode 107: Wilderness Luxury: Rick Dolishny's Glamping Revolution
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 fasci...
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Episode 107
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1:01:15
Episode 106: Lessons From a Lifetime Guide
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 YouT...
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Episode 106
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1:24:34
Episode 105: The Buck Lake Lodge Story
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 ne...
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Episode 105
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1:16:07
Episode 104: The Honey Entrepreneur - How Terri Faloney Built Hammer Hives from the Ground Up
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 calli...
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Episode 104
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1:02:17
Episode 103: Hearst Air - Flying Dreams and Northern Memories
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 nearl...
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Episode 103
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1:36:43
Episode 102: Heat Wave Survival Guide
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.<...
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Episode 102
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54:42
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...
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Episode 101
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1:32:00
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...
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Episode 100
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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 ...
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Episode 99
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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...
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Episode 98
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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...
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Episode 97
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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 ...
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Episode 96
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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...
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Episode 95
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54:38