In this episode, Chris and Frank connect with friend of the show Corey Warden who works as a guide out of the Chaudière Lodge on the famed French River.  Corey has had a busy season both on the water and after the season, working hard at all of the fishing shows, so the guys wanted to chat with Corey to go over what he learned this season fishing and how the off-season shows went. In this episode, they discussed:

• Corey's origin story as a guide on the French River Region
• Fish handling adventures
• Recap on 2025 fishing trade shows
• Corey's approach to guiding

In this second part of our discussion with Justin Gaudry, we take a detailed look at fishing methods and lure selection for targeting muskies on Lake of the Woods.  Justin ties everything together while addressing approaches to fishing the different structure types on the lake and gives a master class in angling in this conclusion of the episode.  Highlights include:  

• Trolling spots with heavy bait present
• Targeting fish relating to certain structure types 
• How to choose the right bait for each type of structure
• Anglers sharing knowledge 

Justin Gaudry spends his days running Mylie's Place Resort on the famed Lake of the Woods.  The guys sat with Justin to talk about the challenges of running a lodge in 2025.  Justin provides very unique insight into the day to day grind and the challenges of being a lodge owner.  Justin is also one heck of an angler and provides insights as to how to pick spots on LOTW and boat giants. Points include: 

• How potential tariffs are impacting Lodge owners 
• How Justin became a Lodge owner
• Water changes to LOTW recently 
• Picking the right time to go to LOTW

Part 2 of the discussion with Andrew Rideout is further affirmation as to why another interview was in order!  In this conclusion, the guys dissect the Lake and discuss the best approaches for success!   Highlights include:

• Angling approach to each of the five zones of LOTW 
• How to select the right bait
• How forward facing sonar changed the game 
• Trolling tactics 

Back to Lake of the Woods the guys go!  Guide Andrew Rideout comes back onto the show to discuss what he has learned on one of the best muskie fisheries in Ontario in the years since he came onto the show.  In this episode we dissect this great lake and discuss how to find success amidst it all!  Topics include:

• The importance of using a guide
• LOTW unique characteristics / understanding the lay of the land if you're new
• How to execute an optimal figure eight on LOTW
• Using majors and minors to your advantage

In this second part of our discussion with Muskies Canada Inc, the focus shifts to the organization itself.  The guys dive into how the organization is bolstering its brand and its initiatives.  Following this, a look at how current research projects are going, along with a breakdown of statistics associated with these projects, are discussed.  Topics include:

• MCI mission for 2025
• Building the MCI brand
• Fundraising through new corporate partnerships 
• Growing  membership base
• Spanish River and Simcoe updates 
• By the numbers:  MCI Research stats 

It is that time of year again and the Muskies Canada Inc 2025 Muskie Odyssey is right around the corner!!   The guys sat with 3 members of the MCI brass to talk about what is new and exciting for the Odyssey this year as well as the evolution of the organization, how it is changing, and what the results of the many conservation projects that they oversee are so far.  In attendance for this show are MCI President Joe Found, Treasurer Peter Robertson, and Show Organizer Bryan Mathes.  Points of discussion include: 

• Odyssey details
• Show Speakers
• Engaging youth at the Odyssey
• Vendors 
• Muskie community building 

In this second part with Jeremy Smith from Lindner Media Productions, Chris and Frank turn the discussion homeward and talk about muskie fishing in Ontario.  Ontario is truly a special muskie destination and the guys go into detail as to what makes it so magical.  Points of discussion include: 

• Dissecting Minnesota muskie fisheries
• Sunset Country adventures
• Water quality, and bait selection 
• Ontario baitmakers
• Lindner media organization and landscape 

Episode 217 is live!  It has been many years since the guys have sat with Jeremy Smith of Lindner Media Productions.  The first time was a pivotal moment in the show's history and one that put the Ugly Pike Podcast on the fishing map. Jeremy comes onto the show to reveal not only that he is an avid listener of the UPP, but also to discuss his life as one of the highest-profile anglers in fishing media today.  Topics include:

• The Lindner career and lifestyle
• Minnesota muskie population declining 
• Breakdown of forward-facing sonar and other similar technological tools 
• What can be done to protect muskies from technological advance
   

In this Full Moon Friday episode, the guys chat about rod building and how future smart technology integration might change the game for anglers. Alex Boutin from Barbarian Braid calls in to add to the discussion and discuss his approach to building muskie rods.