What’s really happening under your boat?

After 40 years of fishing, we finally got a look beneath the surface and what we saw completely changed how we think about fish, water clarity, and behavior.

In this episode, we sit down with the team behind some of the most advanced underwater filming ever done in the Great Lakes. Using cutting-edge drones and sonar, they’re capturing fish in ways anglers have never seen before. From spawning battles to feeding patterns in dirty water, this is the closest you’ll get to seeing the underwater world in real time.

We also break down one of the biggest misconceptions in fishing: how fish actually see in stained water. The answer might surprise you and it could change how you fish overnight.

Plus:

• Wild fish behavior caught on camera
• New discoveries about where fish actually spawn
• How underwater tech is reshaping fishing forever
• A heated debate on whether skills should be taught or earned

If you’ve ever wondered what’s going on below the surface… this one’s for you.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

What happens when the guy behind the camera is suddenly forced into the spotlight?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Dean Taylor steps into the co-host seat for the first time and opens up about something we’ve never discussed publicly before. After years working behind the scenes on The Fish’n Canada Show, Dean shares the real story of how he went from production to being on camera… despite a speech impediment he’s dealt with his entire life.

We also dive into:

• What really goes on behind the scenes of Fish’n Canada
• DIY boat builds and why knowing your rig matters
• Close calls and breakdowns on the water that almost ended shoots
• The reality of filming outdoor TV under pressure
• Wild April Fools fishing stories that actually fooled us

This is one of the most honest and personal conversations we’ve ever had on the podcast.

🎣 Whether you’re into fishing, filmmaking, or just love real stories from the outdoors… this is one you don’t want to miss.

Listen now and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

A fishing school that sells out in under 2 hours?
That’s exactly what’s happening.

John Anderson, Muskie’s Canada Hall of Famer, created the Ottawa Fish School to teach kids how to fish, tie knots, handle fish safely, and become stewards of the outdoors.

What started with 14 kids has exploded to 216… and every spot disappears almost instantly.

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we talk about:

• The fishing school selling out every year
• Teaching kids to be self-sufficient anglers
• Why fishing is still exploding with youth
• How parents are being dragged back into fishing
• The future of fishing in Canada
• Why this model is working
• The next generation of anglers

This might be one of the most important fishing conversations we’ve had.

Fishing isn’t dying. It’s evolving.

What would it take for you to walk away from everything… and start over in the middle of nowhere?

That’s exactly what Shawn Trudel from Cabin River Outdoors did. He had no experience and no real plan. Just a piece of land deep in the wilderness and a camera.

Now he’s sitting on over 16 million views.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why he left his old life behind
• What off-grid living in Canada is actually like
• How his YouTube channel blew up
• The reality of filming everything alone
• And whether this lifestyle is actually worth it

We also get into gear, lost footage, YouTube growth, and the stuff nobody tells you about trying to make it doing this.

If you came for Shawn, stay for the full episode. There’s more here than just the interview.

Garmin just dropped one of the biggest fishing technology updates we’ve ever seen… and it might completely change how we fish moving forward.

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we break down Garmin’s brand new 360 sonar system and the game-changing Spy Pole, a motorized turret that lets you lock onto structure, and scan water like never before.

We go deep into:
• What this new tech actually does
• How it compares to LiveScope
• Why this could be the biggest leap in fishing electronics in years
• Real-world applications for bass, walleye, pike, and more
• Whether it’s worth the investment

Plus:
• A wild tournament cheating story that got an angler arrested
• Fan questions about the future of multi-species tournaments
• Why your favorite fishing content is suddenly blowing up on YouTube

If you’re serious about fishing, this is one episode you cannot miss.

Listen now and find out why this could be the future of the sport.

What REALLY goes on behind the scenes of the Toronto Sportsman Show?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we sit down with show manager Mike Blake to break down how one of Canada’s biggest outdoor events has evolved, what’s new this year, and why it still matters to anglers, hunters, and outdoor families.

But that’s not all…

We also dive into a bizarre real-life story of a man caught stealing over $1,000 worth of fishing lures from a Canadian Tire, and discuss what it says about the fishing industry today.

Plus:

• Fan question: the strangest places we’ve been recognized
• The reality of fishing theft and black-market gear
• Season 40 updates and behind-the-scenes insights
• Why the Sportsman Show is still a must-visit event

If you’re into fishing, hunting, outdoor shows, or Canadian outdoor culture, this episode is packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Subscribe for more episodes of Outdoor Journal Radio every week.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio, Angelo Viola, Pete Bowman, Dean Taylor, and Nik Viola sit down with one of the most influential anglers in the digital fishing world, Jay Siemens.

Known for his cinematic storytelling, relentless work ethic, and massive online following, Jay has built one of the most successful fishing channels on YouTube. In this episode, we dive into how he did it, what it really takes to produce fishing content at that level, and how the world of outdoor media is rapidly evolving.

The conversation covers Jay’s life on the road filming fishing adventures, the realities of being a full-time outdoor creator, and the business side of building a modern fishing brand. We also talk about his work on Lake of the Woods, his involvement with Uncle Mark’s Outpost Cabin, and some of the exciting new projects he has in the works.

If you’re interested in fishing, YouTube content creation, or the future of outdoor media, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Thank you to today's sponsors!

- The Invasive Species Centre: Protecting Canada’s land and water from invasive species
- SAIL: The Ultimate Destination for your Outdoor Adventures
- J&B Cycle and Marine: Your Home for all things powersports, boats, and equipment
- Freedom Cruise Canada: Rent the boat, own the memories

- Anglers Leaderboard: Real-time AI angling platform where everyone is welcome, and every catch counts!

After our two-part Bluefin Tuna series in Wedgeport and Canso, one question kept coming in: “How much does it actually cost to go tuna fishing in Nova Scotia?”

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Ang, Pete, and Dean break down the REAL numbers behind Canada’s Atlantic Bluefin fishery. From full-day charter prices and licensing rules to catch-and-release vs commercial harvest trips, we explain what you’re actually paying for — and why it may be one of the best big-game fishing values in the world.

We also dive into:
• What’s included in a tuna charter
• Why only a limited number of captains can operate
• The short August–October window
• Weather, hurricanes, and Atlantic conditions
• The difference between 300lb and 600lb fish (and why size isn’t everything)
• The culture behind the Wedgeport Tuna Festival

If you’ve ever dreamed of battling a 500+ pound Bluefin Tuna, this episode gives you the practical details you need before booking the trip.

Watch our Bluefin Tuna episodes from Wedgeport and Canso on the Fish’n Canada YouTube channel.