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© 2025 Diaries of a Lodge Owner
Description
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.
117 Episodes
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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 when cameras—and anglers—couldn’t stand. We walk through the surprising spots and exact setups ...
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 guests a year, and the surprising operating system that made it possible: solve your team’s real pro...
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 l...
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 • Tra...
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 chan...
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 ren...
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 winteri...
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 ...
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 th...
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 immersi...
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 blood. When JP made the leap from corporate life to full-time guiding a decade ago, even he was surprised by how quickly 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 connection to these waters that transcends mere business. What makes Buck Lake truly special is its loc...
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 honeybees after learning about their plight against pesticides and habitat loss. What started as an experiment to...
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 insight into a world few get to experience. Her seven remote outpost camps provide trophy pike and wal...
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 conditioning isn't an option. Drawing from years of experience on the Upper French River, I share how di...
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 French River, I discovered early that guides weren't just an optional luxury – they were the heartbeat of ...
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 the dream job. From the heart-stopping financial gamble of startup costs that can easily hit seven figures, to ...
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 planning another venture so soon. But when opportunity knocks, passionate entrepreneurs answer - especi...
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 preservative. Gary Tibbo returns to the podcast to reveal the secrets of beekeeping, from setting up your first hive to harvesting liquid gold. With 15 years of experience tending bees, Gary presents a comprehensive beginner's guide while sharing insights ev...
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. Such is the rhythm of life for our host this week, where catastrophes and triumphs arrive in clusters. This episode chronicles an eventful week that begins with the emotional saga of the Maple Leafs' playoff run. After reluctantly allowing himself to beli...
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