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PODCAST

Diaries of a Lodge Owner

Outdoor Journal Radio Podcast Network

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

sports wilderness

All Episodes

55:57

Episode 99: Lets Do It All Again

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/06/04

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...

en-ca

69:25

Episode 98: Honeybee Homesteading - Starting Your...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/05/28

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...

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71:34

Episode 97: A Week In The Life Of Steve

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/05/21

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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73:58

Episode 96: How the Best Casting Spots Are Found...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/05/15

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 experts. Muskie guru Matt O'Brian joins us on the French River to reveal his systematic approach to finding productive fishing spots—a method that has made him one of the most successful muskie guides on Lake Nipissing and the Upper French River. From ...

en-ca

54:38

Episode 95: Steel Wheels and Wild Places - A Train...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/05/07

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 provides a fascinating glimpse into one of North America's most essential yet mysterious professions. Matt shares his journey from construction work to becoming a fully qualified engineer, detailing the rigorous training process and career progression fr...

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63:30

Episode 94: Weathering Life's Storms

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/04/30

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 as a lodge owner. The wilderness demands respect. I share the harrowing midnight experience that taught me this truth—slipping off a boat during a violent storm and nearly falling into churning waters, dangling precariously with just my torso on the do...

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78:22

Episode 93: The Art of Shore Lunch

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/04/23

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 beloved Canadian tradition that transcends simple outdoor cooking. Willie shares decades of hard-earned wisdom on creating unforgettable wilderness meals. From selecting the perfect shoreline spot (flat, safe, with a beautiful view) to handling hot oil safe...

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92:42

Episode 92: Ancestral Healing - One Man's Journey...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/04/16

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 home after school, and learning to live completely off the land. His father's determination that Gary wouldn't follow him into the dangerous mining industry led to an apprenticeship that shaped his future. With hands that could feel differences in engi...

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84:20

Episode 91: Planning Your Ultimate Canadian Outdoor...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/04/09

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 episode, Steve and Willie draw on their extensive experience as former lodge owners to guide you through planning the perfect outdoor getaway. Now is the crucial time when savvy adventurers are finalizing their bookings for the upcoming season. We break...

en-ca

74:29

Episode 90: Northern Pike, Missed Opportunities, and...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/04/02

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 determined to showcase the best of Ontario's Upper French River for their series "Castaway Canada." What unfolded instead was a masterclass in Murphy's Law and human dynamics pushed to breaking point. This episode pulls back the curtain on what happens when the...

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70:42

Episode 89: From Winnipeg to the Tundra - How Lake...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/03/26

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, and where lake trout grow to mythical proportions. This is the world Justin Jenkins has embraced, splitting his life between Winnipeg and remote Nunavut communities where he works in mental health. Justin's journey north began with a childhood fascin...

en-ca

66:09

Episode 88: A Springtime Guide to Rural Living

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/03/19

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 excitement as we prepare for all that the warmer months bring. This week, we're diving deep into springtime activities that connect us to the land and its rhythms. I share my lifelong experience raising chickens – from hatching eggs to managing flocks of layin...

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100:35

Episode 87: Betting It All on Crow Rock - One Man's...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/03/12

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 from wide-eyed young guide to lodge owner, revealing the perfect storm of experiences that prepared him for this moment. Growing up under the mentorship of his biologist father and surrounded by the wisdom of a generational commercial fishing family, Se...

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131:57

Episode 86: What I Learned from 40 Days of Fasting

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/03/05

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, motivation, and the body’s response to nutritional changes. • Introduction to the concept of a water fast • The motivation behind the 40-day commitment • Strategies for hydration: supplements and electrolytes • The challenges faced during...

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73:08

Episode 85: What's Up With Willy?

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/02/26

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 children and dogs. As we manoeuvre through thick ice and treacherous conditions, we reveal the lessons learned about ice safety and the thrill of exploration. With extended discussions that weave through personal anecdotes and insights garnered from years o...

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70:43

Episode 84: Snowmobile Adventures and the Ice Roads...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/02/19

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 and charging them during spring can save you from fall frustrations. We also discover the transformation of Red Lake communities, where ice roads serve as essential links during the winter months, connecting isolated areas and bringing a sense of unity a...

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94:42

Episode 83: From Lodges to Lifestyle: A Journey of...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/02/12

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 family tradition of lodge ownership, Noah offers unique insights into how Treqit streamlines operations through features like booking management and automated guest communication. Listen as we discuss the importance of building strong client relationships ...

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80:14

Episode 82: David MacLachlan and the Legendary Lodge 88

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/02/05

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 passion and perseverance founded by David's grandfather 88 miles west of Shaplow. Through personal stories and anecdotes, David offers insights into spending summers at the lodge, travelling there by train, and the unforgettable moments that have shaped...

en-ca

91:16

Episode 81: The Bait Man

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/01/29

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 passion for the outdoors and dedication to his community.• Introduction of Kyle Zachary and his ventures • Growing up in Dryden and starting in guiding • Success stories from the spring bear hunts • Overview of the bait business dynamics ...

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70:43

Episode 80: Behind the Rod - Willie and Krysta's...

Diaries of a Lodge Owner ·

2025/01/22

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 the face of adversity as they reflect on the first two and a half years of lodge ownership.• The inspiring decision to purchase Nordic Point Lodge • The challenges faced during the initial weeks of operation • The significant role of communit...

en-ca

121 results

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