Ice Team Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ice Team
Ice Team is the original ice fishing club, and it’s only right that we begin (or continue) to tell the stories surrounding the great sport of ice fishing. Join us, as hosts Matt Johnson and Jason Durham sit down with ice fishing professionals, industry experts, storytellers, celebrities, fans, and everyone in between! We’re looking to share stories from across the Ice Belt and dig deep into the vaults of ice fishing discussion. This won’t be about selling or pushing products, but rather about the passion that this sport brings and the excitement around it!
The squad sits down and reflects on the 2023-2024 ice season on this episode of the Ice Team Podcast! This ice season brought plenty of challenges for ice fishing across the ice belt, but still presented many great opportunities and stories for those who found safe ice. Listen to the crew discuss this past season and what to look forward to this upcoming open water season!
On this episode of the Ice Team Podcast we sit down with Mille Lacs Lake fishing guide Kyle Lynn of 1st K Guide Service and talk all things fishing! We recap the ice fishing season on Mille Lacs, as well as what you can expect for the upcoming open water season. Kyle spends a lot of time not only fishing Mille Lacs, but also surrounding lakes as well as dedicates a lot of his time to help young anglers learn and enjoy the sport!!
Did you ever wish your entire house was a man cave? Just kick the woodworking tools in the dining room aside and join Ice Team podcast host Jason Durham as he sorts through the ideas of Dan Fuller, owner of Black Sheep Outdoors. Dan is a guide, tournament angler, rigs marine electronics and is downright entertaining!
Episode #37 of the Ice Team Podcast features Adam Bartusek. Adam is known in the fishing industry as a media producer, influencer, and ice and open water angler. We dive extensively into the backstory of Adam and how he got to where he is today in the world of fishing. And of course, we talk ice fishing and current conditions across the ice belt!
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In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast, Matt sits down with longtime friend and Ice Team Pro, Mike Rodger, as they embark on years of stories, memories, ice fishing tips and all-around good conversation! Mike has been a part of the Ice Team for over 10 years and he spends a lot of his time educating others, bringing kids out on the ice, competing in tournaments, guiding… basically just about everything! Sit back and enjoy!
Ray Ruiz is the founder of Baztec, an organization that is dedicated to teaching the sport of fishing and providing fishing opportunities to underserved communities, specifically the hispanic community in Minnesota. Ray has an extremely versed background in fishing, dating back to fishing with his father in Mexico, to professional bass fishing, to involvement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Phil Bidon is a lifelong Minnesotan and ambassador of the sport of ice fishing. The Ice Team pro also serves as the Ice Fishing Expert in the Baztec organization. Listen to the crew dive into the backstory of Ray, Phil, and Baztec in the first episode of the 2024 Ice Team Podcast season!
In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast, we spend some time with Clam Outdoors employees, Ryan Schone and Mark Sandquist, as we embark on all kinds of stories and conversations! Everything from ice fishing trends, to hunting, to wish-lists, to over-looked items and everything in between! Thank you for the support in 2023 and we look forward to more episodes of the podcast in 2024! Happy Holidays, everyone!!
In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast we bring on one of the Ice Team OG members, Pat Smith! Pat has been instrumental in so many things we rely on today… ice rods, using inline reels, how we jig a lure, product design… the list goes on and on. We dive deep into the vault on this one, as Pat talks about his years at Thorne Brothers, Ice Team, tournament fishing, and so much more! Grab some popcorn and sit back and enjoy this one!
Episode #32 of the Ice Team Podcast features Clam Pro Tackle Director John Crane and John Holmgren of Devoted Outdoors. John Crane has spent his career representing some amazing companies in the ice fishing game. From working at bait shops, to Northland Tackle in Bemidji, MN, to his current role at Clam Outdoors, Crane has a wealth of knowledge in the fishing industry from a consumer and R&D standpoint. John Holmgren and his wife Ashley Holmgren are in the midst of their first full season of Devoted Outdoors TV show on Bally Sports. Listen to the crew talk early ice, northern Minnesota trends, and everything in-between on this episode of the Ice Team Podcast.
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Father and son team, Jason and Fischer Smith, join the Ice Team Podcast for Episode #31 from the St. Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show. The Smiths hail from Wisconsin and are avid muskie anglers in the open water season and multi-species hard water anglers. Jason and Fischer run the Facebook group, “Muskie Fishing Tips and Tricks” and release dozens of YouTube videos a year. Listen to the crew talk all kinds of fishing form the world’s largest ice fishing show!
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In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast, we sit down at the St. Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show and chat with “Tackle” Terry Tuma, Dave Genz and RiverCentre Manager, Brandon Tucker. Terry Tuma was one of the original founders of the show and has been a leader in ice fishing education for decades. Dave Genz needs no introduction as the Godfather of Ice Fishing. Oh, and it’s the 30th anniversary of the show, so why not dive into a pile of stories and spend some time at the super bowl of ice fishing events!
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In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast we sit down with Paul, Jake and Blake to talk the future of our sport! Future Anglers of MN is doing some big things and paving the way for young angling opportunities. We also chat the MN Made ice fishing league and share in a bunch of laughs and stories!
IceTeamFishing #IceTeam #IceTeamPodcast #FutureAnglersOfMN
In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast, hosts Matt and Jason are at the Dakota Angler Ice Institute and sit down with longtime Ice Team Pro Craig Oyler from Rapid City, SD. They discuss fishing and hunting in the Blackhills as well as the Hooked on Hardwater event and some of the many great things involved around introducing our youth to the outdoors. Craig has an amazing story to tell and it’s something we can all embrace.
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Join Ice Team Podcast host Jason Durham as he welcomes guest TJ Erickson to talk about his lifelong connection to Lake of Woods ice fishing, his YouTube channel (TJ’s Guide Service) and why the two are chatting in a photography studio.
In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast, we sit down with Ice Team Pro Darren Dorn, who runs Disabled Outdoorsmen MN, not to mention he’s a hunting and fishing fanatic! His organization focuses on building awareness and opportunities to outdoor men and women who have physical disabilities, and we dive into how this organization ticks. We also chat everything from bird dogs and waterfowl, to crappies and ice fishing, to jokes and stories!
The Ice Team Podcast takes a field trip to Ice Team retail partner Scheels and sits down with fishing department employees Logan and Dallas. The crew covers everything from the saltwater fish tank in the entrance, to NFL football, and most importantly, ICE FISHING! Sit back and enjoy Episode #25!#IceTeamPodcast #IceTeam #Scheels
Ice Team Podcast Episode 24 brings us to Ramsey, MN for the North Metro Ice Show, where we sit down with the Junior Ice Team! Young anglers from the ages of 8 to 18 spend some time with Matt Johnson and Dave Genz as they tell stories, share some tips, and have a few laughs. So cool to see the future of our sport hanging out and contributing at these ice fishing shows… the future is in good hands!
In Episode 23 of the Ice Team Podcast we take a field trip down the Vexilar Headquarters to spend some time with Corey Studer and Matt Waldron to chat all-things Vexilar! Corey and Matt wear a lot of hats within the company, and we get to learn about some of the history of Vexilar, as well as a DEEP DIVE into some of the features and tips for how you can truly get the most out of your Vexilar flasher!
Nate Nipper from the Clam Outdoors Research and Development team joins the Ice Team Podcast on episode #22. As Director of Quality Nate is extremely involved with making sure all products that leave the Clam warehouse are up to highest of standards. Nate also spearheads the rod and reel division at Clam. If you wanted to learn more about ice fishing rods and reels, this is the podcast for you!
Matt and Drew kick off the second season of the Ice Team Podcast by chatting with a handful of Clam and Ice Team pros during the 2023 Clam Pro Day in Rogers, MN. Listen to what the buzz is for the 2023-2024 ice fishing season from some of the most renowned pros in the game!
In the final episode of the season, Ice Team Podcast hosts Matt Johnson and Jason Durham are joined by Tom Heying as they reminisce on a great season, tell some stories, share some memories and have a ton of laughs! We want to thank everyone for joining us this year and you can bet we’ll be back again for Season 2 next fall!
Ice Team Podcast co-host Jason Durham welcomes close friend, burbot-bath enthusiast and his favorite prank target, Jason Rylander, as they chat about the often misunderstood eelpout. Even if eelpout aren’t on your bucket list, this episode should be, it’s sure to give you a chuckle!
In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast, host Matt Johnson sits down with the team from RLVNT sunglasses to discuss their cutting-edge technology and history of the brand. Adam Winkelman and Matt Evans are the driving force behind the brand’s journey into the outdoor community. A lot of laughs and stories, and of course some fishing banter, too!!
Nate Zelinsky resides in Colorado and is major promotor for western fishing and hunting. During ice fishing season Nate is chasing trophy Lake Trout, Walleye, and even Rainbow Trout. Nate has also been on countless hunts for many of Colorado's big game species. Listen to Nate and the crew talk about the opportunities that western ice fishing has to offer in this episode of the Ice Team Podcast!
Want to learn about catching truly giant panfish? Ice Team Podcast host Jason Durham welcomes Ottertail County fishing guide Jesse Thalmann of Thalmann’s Guide Service as the two navigate the locations and presentations that garner the biggest bluegills, why Jesse prefers waxworms as bait (sometimes even the dead ones), and the two debate whether a Clam Pinhead Minnow is a spoon or a jig.
In this episode we take a deep dive into Mississippi River Yellow Perch fishing with river rat, tournament bass angler, ice angler, and college student Gage Griffin. Gage is currently working on his medical degree in northern Illinois, but spends what time he can on the Mississippi River, where he cut his teeth on both hard and soft water. If you want to learn about the ice fishing opportunities in the southeast region of Minnesota, this is the episode for you!
Mike Raetz and Thayne Jensen sit down with the crew on the first episode of 2023. Mike is a veteran tournament angler on both hard and soft water as well as a guide. Mike's full time job is in the Production Department at Clam Outdoors. Thayne is a former Customer Service Manager at Clam Outdoors and is now on the Clam Marketing Team. The crew gets caught up on current ice fishing conditions and picks Raetz's brain on how he targets and catches big fish all winter long.
We take the podcast the Devoted Outdoors headquarters in Northern Minnesota to sit down with John and Ashley Holmgren. John and Ashley are avid anglers and have deep roots in the outdoors. They just finished up filming for their first season of their new show Devoted Outdoors and talk about what to expect from the first 12 episodes. John and Ashley also open up on their backstory and some of their lifelong goals.
Joining the crew on Episode #12 is longtime Lake Erie guide and Ice Team pro Ross Robertson, A.K.A, Bigwater Fishing. Ross has carved out a career on the waters of Lake Erie and is one of the most influential anglers in the industry. Listen to the guys chat everything from the St. Paul Ice Show to how Ross ice fishes for 10+ pound walleyes on some of the most hardcore and dangerous ice in the United States.
In this episode of the Ice Team Podcast, Matt and Jason are at the St. Paul Ice Show and sit down with the one and only, Scott Brauer of Maki Plastics, and his daughter Maron, as they discuss Scott’s journey to become one of the best educators in our sport. Maki has been a family-run business since the beginning, and Maron has been there from the start and certainly brings a fun angle to the conversation!
In Episode #10 of Ice Team Podcast, Matt welcomes the Crappie Chronicles squad of Adam Bartusek, Matt Waldron, Adam Griffith and Ryan Pinkalla! They chat about their history as anglers, The Crappie Chronicles YouTube series, some fun stories, and even enjoy some amazing cooking from Pink! Whether you love crappies, or just want to listen to some entertaining conversation, then this one is worth a listen!
Join Ice Team Podcast co-host Jason Durham as he welcomes guest, and life-long friend, MInnesota DNR Conservation Officer Mike Martin. Lieutenant Martin is the MNDNR Division of Enforcement District Supervisor, covering Stearns, Wright, Todd, and a small part of Crow Wing counties. The two discuss how to become a conservation officer (there are positions available!), some tales from the field, and several of those tricky questions you’ve always wondered about posing to a Conservation Officer, but haven’t had an opportunity to ask!
In this episode, premier Leech Lake guide Chuck Hasse offers insight about locating and catching first ice walleyes on Minnesota’s third largest inland lake. For anglers intimidated by its size, Hasse shares how to efficiently and effectively dissect Leech Lake for all species over various periods of the ice season and what you should have in your minnow bucket for your next Leech Lake excursion. He also chats about finding TROPHY walleye, the challenges of renting fish houses, and the legendary Leech Lake guides he eternally admires.
Episode #7 features Ice Team pro Chris Granrud. Chris is the owner and operator of RainyDaze Guide Service on Rainy Lake, Minnesota. Prior to cutting his teeth in Northern Minnesota, Chris was involved with his family bowling-alley business in Southern Minnesota. Listen to Chris tell his backstory on how he developed a passion for fishing and how he got to where he is today. Naturally, the crew also picks Chris's brain on how to catch fish this winter on Rainy Lake.
There is always an early ice buzz surrounding Upper Red Lake in northern Minnesota. In this episode, we get longtime Red Lake angler and guide Matt Breuer to chat everything Red Lake. If you have plans to hit Red Lake in the coming weeks, or anytime this season, listen to this episode and gather intel from a guy who has seen it all on Red Lake!
In Episode #5, we venture out to Sioux Falls for the Dakota Angler Ice Institute and spend time with the Cox crew from Mullen, Nebraska. Matt and Jason sit down with Don and his three boys—Zack, Tristen and Garrett—as they share stories ranging from “tank” racing, early Trap Attack days, Nebraska GIANT bluegills, sport shows, and everything in between! This traveling father and sons team sure makes things exciting!
Episode #4 of the Ice Team Podcast features a Vietnam War Veteran, gas station attendant, minnow trapper... and not to mention, The Godfather of Ice Fishing, Dave Genz. Dave and Matt go way back into Dave's history and roots in this episode of the podcast. They touch on the subjects that helped mold Dave and the ice fishing industry in general. Just like he has been doing for decades, The Ice Team Captain also shares some knowledge on how he stays efficient on the ice and some of his plans for this ice fishing season.
Episode #3 of the Ice Team Podcast features Andy, Danny, and Mao from KnockOutdoors. The trio sits down with Matt to talk about how the group was formed and their influence in the fishing world. The team also dives into their Asian Roots (Hmong and Korean) and talk about diversity, health, camaraderie, teamwork, and building relationships on and off the water.
In Episode #2 of the Ice Team Podcast the crew sits down at the North Metro Ice Show presented by Thorne Brothers with show runner Jason Jacob to talk about the first ice fishing show of the season. Steve and Ben Weeres of Winter Recreational Technologies also swing by the podcast to talk about their product ICESPY. The crew also talks about catfish and walleye fishing on Horseshoe Chain.
In Episode #1 of the Ice Team Podcast Matt Johnson and Jason Durham introduce the podcast and what to expect from it this ice season. The co-hosts also discuss their backgrounds in the fishing industry and even dive into an eelpout conversation.