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!

Is “micro fishing” the next big thing in angling?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we sit down with Dr. Steven Cook from Carleton University to explore one of the most unusual fishing trends we’ve ever discussed: anglers targeting the smallest fish in the ecosystem on purpose.

We dive into:
• What actually defines a “game fish”
• Why species like bowfin and carp deserve more respect
• The strange rise of micro fishing and species collecting
• How tournament anglers really make decisions on the ice
• What invasive carp do in winter
• And whether pike should ever be considered invasive

Plus, we break down a fascinating study on how anglers make decisions during competition — and why even experienced fishermen can be swayed by dock talk.

If you love fishing science, fisheries management, conservation talk, and the occasional bizarre twist in the angling world, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Subscribe for more conversations about fishing, conservation, freshwater science, and the stories behind the sport.

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!

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, our scheduled guest canceled at the last minute — so we pulled back the curtain instead.

From celebrating Season 40 of The Fish’n Canada Show to breaking down how long it REALLY takes to film an episode, the boys dive into the truth about fishing television. How many fish never make it to air? Do shows really film for days to get 22 minutes? And how different is YouTube from traditional broadcast TV?

We also cover:
• The Idaho poacher who literally left his address on deer remains
• The reality of conservation enforcement and invasive species
• Grass carp updates and why anglers need to stay informed
• How YouTube is changing the way fishing content is consumed
• Honest reflections on 40 years in the outdoor industry

Plus, a listener question sparks one of the most honest discussions we’ve ever had about what viewers don’t see.

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!

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Mike Harris Jr. joins the show for a wide-ranging and candid conversation that every angler and boater should hear.

The discussion covers real-world fishing and boating issues across Ontario, including confusion around single barbless hook regulations, treble hook definitions, immediate release laws, fly fishing only waters, and recent changes to pleasure craft licensing. The crew also digs into conservation officer enforcement, invasive species threats, and how new technology like drones is being used for both safety and conservation.

This episode goes beyond headlines and gets into the details that affect everyday anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts across the province. Whether you fish northern fly-in lakes, southern Ontario rivers, or the Great Lakes, this is a must-listen conversation about access, conservation, and the future of fishing in Ontario.

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!

In this special episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, we sit down with Canadian fishing icon Bob Izumi for an in-depth, wide-ranging conversation that spans four decades of fishing television, tournament angling, and conservation in Canada.

Bob reflects on the rise and conclusion of The Real Fishing Show, what retirement really looks like after nearly 40 years on air, and why stepping away from TV brought both freedom and clarity. He opens up about the realities of building an independent fishing media business, the pressure behind the scenes, and how the industry has changed from the early days of Red Fisher to today’s digital-first world.

The conversation also dives deep into tournament fishing past and present, from the early flipping and pitching breakthroughs that dominated Ontario lakes, to the modern era of forward-facing sonar and electronics. Bob shares honest thoughts on aging in competitive fishing, adapting to new technology, and why today’s young anglers are more dialed-in than ever.

We also talk conservation, including Bob receiving the King’s Coronation Medal for his contributions to Canadian angling and environmental awareness, plus candid stories about sponsorships, retail, travel, and the grind that viewers never see on television.

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!

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, the guys sit down with Rob Racine of J&B Cycle and Marine to talk boats, business, and how boating in Canada is changing.

Rob breaks down Freedom Cruise, a seasonal boat rental program that lets anglers and families enjoy a brand new boat all summer without the commitment of ownership. The conversation also dives into the Toronto Boat Show, how buyers actually shop for boats, and what today’s pricing, inventory, and demand really look like across Ontario.

The discussion expands into boat protection gear like Boat Armor, the rise of forward-facing sonar and marine electronics, and how modern technology is reshaping fishing strategy. Rob also shares insight into Northern Ontario tournament fishing, including the Northern Ontario Walleye Trail and what it takes to host major competitive events.

This episode is packed with real-world boating insight, industry knowledge, and behind-the-scenes perspective from one of Canada’s most active marine entrepreneurs.

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!

The Toronto Boat Show is here, and this week on Outdoor Journal Radio, we break down why this is the best time of year to buy a boat, what to look for on the show floor, and what new tech is shaping modern fishing boats.

We’re joined by Jean-Philippe Martin-Dubois, General Manager of Princecraft Boats, to talk about the unveiling of the new Platinum 190, how boat pricing really works at shows, ordering vs spring buying, financing options, and why aluminum construction still matters for Canadian anglers. JP also explains what buyers should actually be paying attention to beyond looks, including durability, electronics space, and long-term ownership.

We also dive into a wild fishing headline as Japan’s first tuna of 2026 sells for a staggering $3.2 million, why the first tuna of the year matters so much, and how tradition drives price more than quality.

Plus, a listener's question sparks a debate on music while ice fishing, whether sound and vibration affect fish, and when silence might actually help you catch more.

Topics covered:
• Toronto Boat Show insider tips
• Princecraft Platinum 190 first look
• When and why to buy a boat at a show
• Boat financing and rebates explained
• Electronics, durability, and aluminum hull design
• The $3.2 million first tuna of the year
• Music vs silence while fishing
• Invasive species awareness

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!

How do you really know if the ice is safe before you step onto it?

In this episode of Outdoor Journal Radio, the crew is joined by Dr. Paul Cooley, founder of NextGen Environmental Research and the mind behind Angler’s Leaderboard, to break down a groundbreaking new tool called Ice Time. Using satellite radar technology, Ice Time provides near-real-time ice condition data for lakes across Canada and beyond.

The conversation dives into how satellite radar can see through snow and darkness, how ice actually forms and shifts on large lakes, why pressure ridges are one of the biggest hidden dangers on ice, and how anglers, snowmobilers, and outdoor enthusiasts can use this data to make safer decisions before ever leaving home.

Topics covered include:

• How satellite radar maps ice thickness and ice types
• Why early-season and late-season ice is most dangerous
• How pressure ridges form, move, and collapse
• Real-world ice safety failures and what causes them
• How Ice Time can help anglers, guides, and winter travellers plan smarter trips

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who spends time on frozen lakes, whether you ice fish, snowmobile, skate, or travel winter ice roads.

Listen now and learn how modern technology is changing winter safety forever.

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!

- Silverwax: Proudly Canadian since 1999

It is the Outdoor Journal Radio holiday special and the final episode before the Christmas break. Angelo Viola, Pete Bowman, Dean Taylor, and Nik Viola sit down for a wide-ranging conversation that previews the upcoming 40th season of The Fish’n Canada Show and reflects on the stories, debates, and moments that shaped the year.

This episode includes a full breakdown of Season 40, with behind-the-scenes insight into upcoming destinations, fishing tactics, and what viewers can expect when the new season premieres in January. The crew also dives into listener feedback, conservation issues, invasive species concerns, and the ongoing debate around tournament fishing formats in Canada.

Along the way, the conversation covers Saskatchewan’s expanding wild turkey plans, water quality and fish consumption concerns, pro-am tournament structures, technology in fishing, and how the sport continues to evolve. It is a candid, unscripted holiday episode filled with fishing culture, industry insight, and classic Outdoor Journal Radio humour.

Whether you are a longtime fan of The Fish’n Canada Show or a new listener looking to understand where the show has been and where it is heading, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain during a milestone year.