Ugly Pike Podcast

Part 2 in this different type of episode.  Our tableside chat with Chelsea Lynn, Nik Birmingham, and Nikko Guido on the shores of the mighty Lake Nipissing continues.  More Ugly Pike Pilsners are opened, and more great tips on how to target and land giants on this great body of water are discussed! 

This episode is a little different.  We were grateful to be joined by resident anglers Chelsea Lynn, Nik Birmingham, and owner of Tama Kwa Resort and 5 Star Fishing, Nikko Guido.  We opened a few cans of Ugly Pike Pilsner and had a good ole fishin' chat session about hunting muskies on the Nip and what makes Lake Nipissing the famous, and sometimes infamous fishery that it is! 

In this episode we reunite with Gregg Thomas.  Gregg needs no introduction.  He is one of the pioneers of musky fishing in the US and is current co-owner of Musky Hunter Magazine.  Topics covered in the session include:  Musky Hunter Magazine going digital The new Musky Hunter Magazine app and it's cool features  How to break down zones and find active fish Boatside tactics on LOTW The ongoing debate over using sophisticated electronics

A huge day for Ugly Pike as the long awaited launch date for Ugly Pike Pilsner is announced!  Chris and Frank also get into the famed Lake Nipissing fishery.  Discussion includes:  Pilsner release date and how listeners can buy it Upcoming Ugly Pike Pilsner release party in St. Catharines and the custom baits that will only be available at this event Frank's recent trip to Nipissing, lessons learned, and how Chris and Frank will change their approach on this body of water as they head back there in early August Discussion on bait selection for the upcoming trip and what constitutes a confidence bait

Meg Patterson comes on to the show to talk about her experiences over a wide range of fisheries and what challenges await this season as she "fishes for three", carrying twins!  Discussion includes:  Meg's experience on some of the best muskie fisheries in the world The team dynamic in the boat How marketing dynamics mirror those of muskie fishing  Meg's preferred gear set up (rod & reel) New lure discussion  

The crew hits the Rideau River for muskie opener.  Discussion includes:  Adapting to variable weather patterns Selecting times of day to focus on for peak bite windows Bait selection Lessons learned for early season fishing 

In this episode, Chris and Frank focus exclusively on equipment, preparation and strategies for the season opener, as well as a look ahead to an opening day adventure on the Rideau River.  Discussion includes:  Frank's recent interview with Angelo Viola and Pete Bowman from Fishn' Canada TV Show for their Outdoor Journal Radio Podcast Ugly Pike upcoming opener trip to the Rideau River Opening day gear and equipment checklist Bait selection and tactics for early season

In this second part of our discussion with Dr. Sean Landsman we dive deep into tactics and strategies employed when going after muskies.  Discussion includes: Out of the box strategies to locating muskies  Boat positioning and casting direction How do muskies stalk their prey/what sensory systems do they use to hunt Bait selection and colour Throwing baits muskies are familiar with vs no familiar with

Dr. Sean Landsman is a researcher and instructor at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario.  He is also an angler with a passion for muskies and focuses a good deal of his research and study efforts  efforts around this fish.  In this episode we discuss:  When science contradicts common muskie "facts" Testing for muskie handling fatality rates Muskie stress physiology Handling muskies:  What not to do

 Part two in our discussion with Nate Andrychuk.  In this conversation we discuss:  Bait colour selection  The value of confidence and downsizing the number of baits in the boat  LOTW/Lac Seul structure talk  Using Google Earth to identify structure  How to target muskies from under submerged trees High catch percentage areas on LOTW 

Chris and Frank sit down with Muskies Canada members Bryan Mathes and Peter Robertson to talk about the organization and the upcoming 2022 Muskie Odyssey on April 2nd in Hamilton, ON.  Highlights include:   A look back on Muskies Canada programs and what is in store for the future Detailed discussion on the prizes and speakers happening at this year's Muskie Odyssey  Chris and Frank make a MASSIVE announcement about a new Ugly Pike project that is launching Summer '22

Nate Andrychuk has enjoyed guiding careers on two of the best muskie lakes in the world - Lac Seul and Lake of the Woods.  In this episode Nate comes on the show to discuss the finer points of each body of water and what it takes to land big muskies.  Episode highlights include:   The question of Thunder Bay/Lake Superior muskies Top water click baits  Lessons learned guiding on Lac Seul  Bait colours: When/how it matters Simplifying bait selection How to target fish from under downed trees - proper conditions and tactics 

The conclusion of Chris and Frank's discussion on some of the most notable clips and most valuable pieces of muskie hunting information from the 2021 season. 

Chris and Frank take a look back at the amazing year that was 2021 for the Ugly Pike Podcast.  Never before has the show had such a multitude of detailed, technical tips and information.  Show guests gave an incredible volume of useful and effective muskie fishing tips and strategies and the guys discuss the some of gems that they found to be most noteworthy.  

Part 2 of our 100th episode discussion with John Anderson from Ottawa River Musky Factory and Musky Factory Baits and Alex Boutin from Barbarian Braid.  Discussion topics include:   John talks about stepping outside the box for lure selection Targeting strategies once bait schools are located John turns the tables and asks Chris and Frank about past episode preferences and milestones An in depth discussion on electronics selection and use

To celebrate our milestone 100th Episode, we sat in studio with John Anderson of Ottawa River Musky Factory and Musky Factory Baits, and Alex Boutin of Barbarian Braid to discuss the recipe for late season GIANTS in the boat, including: What keeps a lifelong angler inspired to fish in the coldest of temperatures Difference between hunting for a muskie and hunting for THE muskie Fish feeding behaviour throughout the Fall/Winter Migration and Holding Patterns Highest activity times for muskies

In this second part, Ben goes into detail about his experience targeting and catching the fish of a lifetime and lessons learned along the way.  

When we saw Ben Kelly's video about his first muskie challenge and fishing adventure ever, we had to have him on the show.  Ben talks to us about how he transitioned from an otherwise normal job and into a career of outdoor media.  Ben soon found an obsession for fishing that lead him to the ultimate challenge, a fish he had never targeted or caught - a hunt for the apex predator, the muskellunge! 

Part 2 in our discussion with Mark Perkins.  In this conclusion of our interview we discuss how to read the mood of the fish, how to adjust your figure 8's in order to adapt to changing conditions, the impact of rusty crayfish on LOTW, and how to change your approach to bait selection as the Fall GIANT season approaches! 

Mark Perkins guides out of the Shangri-La that is Obabikon Bay Camp on the famed Lake of the Woods.  In this episode Mark drops as much knowledge as we have ever had from a guest and the conversation was enlightening.  In just part one alone we covered so many points of interest like fishing in tough weather, proper hook sets, the importance of "first dark", chasing big fish, and going outside the box when the going gets tough out on the water.  We are very excited to share this episode with our listeners.