S9E6 - First Ice on Red Lake & Guest Ice Fishing Guide Jeff Moreau
Red Lake Walleyes, Gear Debates, and a Northwest Ontario Perspective
Season 9 rolls on and Episode 6 of the Hard Water Fishing Show packs in a full mix of fishing stories, real‑world gear talk, and an in‑depth interview with Northwest Ontario guide Jeff Moreau. Jeff and Jason recap a recent Red Lake trip, break down what worked (and what didn’t), debate shelter setups, and dig into fishing mindset, electronics, and safety with one of the most thoughtful guides to ever join the show.
Ice Shelters, Gear, and Logistics
A big portion of the conversation centers on ice fishing shelters and transport systems:
Hub shelters vs. flip‑over shacks
Pack‑up and breakdown speed
Eskimo bags and storage frustrations
Ideas for improved hub bags and custom loading systems
Jeff and Jason even tease a future pack‑up speed challenge to finally settle the hub vs. flip‑over debate. There’s also talk of employing some engineering help to design a better pickup‑truck loading system for ice fishing gear.
Gear Transportation
Getting the gear and four guys on the lake on early ice was a challenge. This was how we did it. A wheeler towing four sleds it was not pretty but we all got out there and caught fish
Hot Lure
This purple buckshot that I used all weekend on red lake. Muggs shared this with me as my slab seeker lure was not catching them that day. Here is one on amazon https://amzn.to/4aWLrIz . Note that I am using the quick clip to switch lures in the winter easily you can find them here https://amzn.to/4aZcL92 . Also i use a Fluorocarbon leader P-Line Floroice Clear Fishing Line 100 YD Spool https://amzn.to/3KTbAh1
Catch & Cook
After a long day on the ice, we came in and cleaned a few walleyes. The cooks at Rogers on Red added some fries and onion rings. It was awesome to catch them and eat them for dinner. We stayed at Rogers on Red and they cooked up our fish for us. There is not much better than catching your fish then eating it for dinner.
🎙️ Guest Interview: Jeff Moreau (Northwest Ontario)
The featured guest for Episode 6 is Jeff Moreau, a professional year‑round fishing guide from Northwest Ontario. Jeff brings a calm, methodical perspective that contrasts perfectly with the Red Lake chaos.
Key takeaways from Jeff Moreau:
The importance of fishing from the fish’s point of view
Why color does matter—until it doesn’t
When upsizing baits (even for crappies) can be the right move
Using mapping and charting systems to find overlooked water
Why less‑pressured Canadian lakes can be worth the extra drive
He also shares real‑world safety insights around early ice, slush management, and travel techniques—lessons learned from years guiding in remote areas.
🍻 Beverages & Show Culture
Beverages make their usual appearance on the show:
Jason sips on a White Monster Zero Ultra (despite the 9 PM caffeine risk)
Jeff talks about his appreciation for Shell’s Dark Beer
Jeff Moreau recommends Sleeman’s Original Lager as a solid Canadian go‑to
The guys float the idea of creating a beer and beverage wall for the show and even using AI to catalog every beverage consumed across all episodes.
📣 Listener Feedback & Ice Show Talk
Listener engagement continues to shape the show:
Feedback from the Duluth and St. Paul ice fishing shows
Discussion on vendor quality vs. non‑fishing booths
A shout‑out to listeners and supporters including Mugs, Jared, and Conrad
Conrad’s feedback sparks plans to invite him on a future episode to share his fishing stories and experiences.
📺 Electronics & Gear Talk
The episode wraps up with a discussion on modern fishing electronics, including:
High‑end flashers and sonar units
Cost vs. value debates
A newly released MarCum flasher
Reliability vs. cutting‑edge features
As always, Jeff and Jason balance excitement over new tech with healthy skepticism about price tags and real‑world usefulness.
Episode 6 is a perfect blend of storytelling, learning, and honest reflection. From Red Lake lessons to Canadian guide wisdom, the show reinforces a core Hard Water Fishing Show belief: there’s always something to learn, and every trip makes you better.
Stay tuned—Season 9 is just getting warmed up.
👉 Listen to the episode and catch more at HardWaterShow.com
