Fishing the Wild West TV August 2026 Newsletter
It has been a busy but very successful first half of the season for Fishing the Wild West TV (FtWWTV). We are shooting the 11th season of FtWWTV, and aside from the wet, rainy spring, it was one of our most productive spring seasons in the past 11 years. This spring, shooting the first five out of seven episodes, I was in my Bass Pro 100 MPH rainsuit. Despite the weather, the episodes look amazing.
We shot an incredible Trip of a Lifetime episode at Tate Island Lodge. Tate Island Lodge is located on Reindeer Lake in northern Saskatchewan. Family-owned and family-friendly, Tate Island Lodge offers great accommodations, food, and amazing fishing. Northern pike, lake trout, walleye, and Arctic grayling fill the water near the lodge, and guests can take the Grand Slam Challenge if they choose, or fish for their chosen species.
After a day on the water, losing count of the number of fish you did battle with, and an incredible shore lunch, you can rest your arms in your cabin with all the comforts of home or share fishing stories with other guests at the main lodge before and after an amazing supper.
There is something for everyone at Tate Island Lodge. And let me share a secret with you. The fishing is so incredible at Tate Island Lodge. The Grand Slam Challenge isn’t that difficult! https://tateislandlodge.ca
After an eight-year absence, we returned to Cold Lake, Alberta and shot an incredible drive-to lake trout episode, jigging lake trout with Buzz Bomb Tackle. https://www.buzzbombtackle.com The first half of the season went so well I was able to take some time to fun-fish with family and friends. I fished walleye and northern pike with my mother and father-in-law, my wife, and a few of my wife’s cousins. After talking about it for several years, I also took two childhood friends fishing, and one of them had never fished before. Spending time with family and friends reminded me that there are many forms of wealth, and for me, time on my Tracker boat with family and friends is one of them. https://www.coldlake.com
ICAST 2026 was a great success. One of the things I/FtWWTV is most proud of is that 90% of the companies FtWWTV works with have been with us since the first two seasons of the show.
Dandy Auto Marine
I recently had to make an unscheduled stop due to a bearing failure on my boat trailer. The service from the technicians and all the staff at Dandy Auto Marine was second to none. The technicians assessed the situation and clearly recommended the best solution to repair the problem correctly and get me on the road/water quickly.
What seems to be the norm these days with auto and marine shops is waiting weeks for parts to be ordered and arrive before the techs can even work on your boat, trailer, or auto.
Dandy Auto Marine has their own warehouse stocked with parts, or Dandy works with other local companies that have parts. Whatever your breakdown is, Dandy gets you on the road/water ASAP!
Quality work and old-school customer service! What a concept! https://www.dandy.ca
The second half of the season is set. We have some river fly-fishing for trout, a few walleye, and northern pike episodes scheduled for the second half, and the 3rd annual FtWWTV Industry Gathering hosted by G&S Marina Outfitters at Rowan’s Ravine on Last Mountain Lake is scheduled in September. https://gsmarina.com
Finally, I recently did a podcast with the Brothers of Tourism about the importance of anglers and the fishing industry as a whole to rural communities and the Canadian economy. It was/is one of the funnest and most important podcasts I have ever been involved with. https://www.ehcanadatravel.com
Safe travels to everyone, and regardless of your travels (work or pleasure), make your next stay at a Canalta Hotel. Canalta Hotels are clean, family-friendly, and they support rural communities and the outdoors! https://canaltahotels.com and be sure to subscribe to Hooked Magazine to get the latest updates and fishing information on the waterbodies you plan to fish. https://www.hookedmagazine.ca
Wes David. Host and producer of Fishing the Wild West TV
Thank you all for your time and support!