S9E3 - Guest Brett from REL Fishing
Season 9 continues as early ice begins forming up north and Jeff and Jason start getting excited for the first fishable ice of the year. With Red Lake close to freezing, the guys admit they might even skip the St. Paul Ice Show if the ice is ready—because fishing always wins.
This episode also features a great guest: Brett from REL Fishing, who shares his all-inclusive wheelhouse rental and guiding experience on Lake Minnetonka.
❄️ Early Ice Fever
The show kicks off with ice reports and optimism—cold temps up north, early skim ice on familiar lakes, and the annual dance between winter weather and fishing plans. Jeff and Jason predict that they might be fishing by Thanksgiving or shortly after if conditions hold.
Deer Camp
The guys also share deer camp stories—including a huge roadside buck encounter that nearly resulted in Jason thinking about upgrading his Yukon’s front bumper.
Beverages
Jason enjoys a Wild Maine Blueberry Green Tea https://bit.ly/49VhFDC
while Jeff cracks open a 12 Pointer Lager from Bad Habit Brewing—a perfect nod to Minnesota’s deer season. https://bit.ly/4o1eUny
The beverage segment spirals into a hilarious detour about oxidization, hair color changes, and Jeff’s deer antlers on the wall.
🙌 Show Supporter Shoutouts
A quick thank-you to all the listeners supporting the show. The guys raise their glasses (and tea mugs) for the show supporters. You can donate to the show here https://www.hardwatershow.com/donate
📣 Listener News
The Hard Water inbox was full this week, and the guys highlighted several great updates from listeners:
Jay Peterson shared that his custom ice shack build will be featured on Alex Tim’s YouTube channel in mid-November. Jeff and Jason are excited to see what upgrades he’s added this season.
Colby sent in a link to the new IceHawk Audible Alarm, a Minnesota-made tip-up system with LED indicators, sound alerts, and interchangeable spools. The guys were impressed and are considering inviting the IceHawk team onto the show for a deeper dive. Click here for more info https://bit.ly/3JVFEbm
Chet chimed in on Instagram to correct Jeff’s “pop” vs. “soda” terminology, kicking off a classic Midwest debate that could probably fill its own episode.
Cooper provided a hands-on review of the Garmin Striker Cast, https://bit.ly/49VhFDC noting that manual gain settings work best, interference can be an issue near other flashers, and phone mounting takes some creativity. His feedback sparked an entire conversation about wearable displays and gear hacks.
Long-time listener Scott C. sent a message from Shell Rock, Iowa, sharing his appreciation for Jason’s non-alcoholic beverage picks and recommending a few NA beers worth trying.
Overall, the listener community brought great gear ideas, tips, and fun conversations—making this one of the most interactive episodes of the season.
🎣 Guest Interview: Brett from REL Fishing
The highlight of Episode 3 is a conversation with Brett, who runs REL Fishing on Lake Minnetonka.
He offers all-inclusive wheelhouse rentals and guided trips designed for convenience and comfort—think:
Heated wheelhouses
TVs and internet
High-quality gear
A true “country club fishing” experience
Jeff and Jason talk about how setups like Brett’s make ice fishing easier for newcomers, families, or anyone who wants a premium day on the ice. It’s a different style of fishing—but one that fits perfectly into Minnesota’s diverse hard-water culture. You can find more about this on the website www.reloutdoors.com
🎧 Listen to the Episode
Catch the full conversation, ice gear talk, and early-season excitement in Season 9, Episode 3, available on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you listen.
