When I started the 54 or Bust Podcast, I made a list of people I hoped I might one day get the chance to talk to. Some of them were musky legends. Some were people who shaped the fishing industry in different ways.
Jay Siemens was at the top of that list.
Jay has built a reputation as one of the most respected outdoor filmmakers in the world — blending fishing, cinematography, storytelling, and adventure into some of the most compelling content on YouTube. From the early days of Uncut Angling to building his own production company and YouTube channel, Jay has helped redefine what fishing content can look like.
But at the core of it all, he’s still a Northwestern Ontario angler who loves the same lakes and fisheries many of us grew up on.
In this conversation we dive into:
The early days filming with Uncut Angling and working with Aaron Wiebe
How he went from a fishing guide to a full-time filmmaker
The evolution of fishing media from television to YouTube
Why storytelling matters more than camera gear
Filming legendary moments like the Bonesaw musky drone shot
Behind the scenes of creating cinematic fishing films like A Week in Alaska
The psychology of musky anglers vs multi-species fishing
The reality of balancing family life with a career built around travel and fishing
Why Northwest Ontario continues to produce some of the best anglers in the world
Jay also shares a deeply personal story about a future film he hopes to make about fishing with his grandfather — a reminder that at the end of the day, the stories we tell are about much more than fish.
If you're interested in fishing, filmmaking, or the future of outdoor storytelling, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.
Follow Jay Siemens
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JaySiemens
Website: https://jaysiemens.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaysiemens
Follow 54 or Bust
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@54orBust
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/54orbust
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/54orBust
If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone who loves fishing as much as you do.
Tight lines.
#MuskyFishing #JaySiemens #FishingPodcast #54orBust #OutdoorFilmmaking
