Best Plier Podcasts (2026)

On this episode of the Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc, we take a look at duck flyover methodology as duck season reopens this week. We ask our guests for some last minute stocking-stuffer ideas, analyze where duck are at, and even talk to LWDF Lt Colonel Clay Marques on how YOU can help protect Louisiana's natural resources.…

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How to join the LDWF Enforcement's 38th academy - with Lt Colonel Clay Marques 4:55

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11d ago4:55

4:55

LWDF Lt Colonel Clay Marques joins Don to discuss how YOU can protect Louisiana's natural resources.

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Shots fired in the duck blinds with Kirk Stansel 6:08

5d ago6:08

6:08

Captain Kirk Stansel joins us from the duck blinds, and we sit with him as we hear shots fly overhead!

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Redhead duck aren't stupid, they're fearless! - with Ryan Lambert 5:41

5d ago5:41

5:41

Ryan Lambert returns from his duck hunt in Mexico, and finds himself back on the hunt a week later in his native Louisiana.

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Mike Smith: there's been mostly teal out in the marshes 6:01

5d ago6:01

6:01

Mike Smith call into the Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc from the duck blinds! He gives us a boots-on-the-ground report on the birds he's watching after duck season reopened this week.

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Mike Gallo: speckled trout are active right now 6:55

10d ago6:55

6:55

Joining the Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc is captain Mike Gallo; and he gives us a update on how fish are moving as we dive deeper into the winter.

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Grand Isle update: red fish stock is going up per Daryl Carpenter 5:19

5d ago5:19

5:19

Daryl Carpenter chats with Don on what he's seeing in the Grand Isle area, and the loads of red fish he's been pulling in.

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Robbie Campo: Sheephead are abundant in St. Bernard parish this morning 7:01

5d ago7:01

7:01

Robbie Campo joins the show and gives us a hunting and fishing report for the Shell Beach and St. Bernard parish area.

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On the Map: Christmas Magic at Castle Noel in Medina, Ohio

5d ago

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WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Mark Klaus, creator of Castle Noel, “America’s largest year-round indoor Christmas entertainment attraction.” Experience 40,000 square feet of amazing installations, retail holiday windows, Christmas movie props and more! Visit castlenoel.com. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7868851/7868851_2025-12-20-005151.64kmono…

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On the Map: Where to enjoy Christmas Eve, Day and Hanukkah Dinner in Chicago

5d ago

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Isaac Reichman, director of corporate communications for Choose Chicago, joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to share great places to enjoy your holiday meal with friends, family or that special someone. ChooseChicago.com https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7868754/7868754_2025-12-20-000154.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts On the Map On the Map: Meet Mark Klaus of C…

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On the Map: The Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania

5d ago

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WGN Radio’s Dave Plier sits down with Kelly Stewart Harcourt, daughter of screen legend Jimmy Stewart, to reflect on her father’s enduring legacy and to talk about the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania, which celebrates his life and remarkable career. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7868879/7868879_2025-12-20-012619.64kmono.mp3 Recent …

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Full Show 12-13-2025: The Christmas Countdown Intensifies 1:13:41

12d ago1:13:41

1:13:41

On this episode of the Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc, Don asks the audience what the most expensive outdoor toy they ever gave or received for Christmas was. We later take stock of the drastic winds set to hit south Louisiana, the limited reopening of red snapper season, and how a tough young man is trying to get back into the deer stands after per…

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Helping a young man in need - Robbie Bowers 5:17

12d ago5:17

5:17

Robbie Bowers of Bayou Outdoors Foundation chats with Don on about a gripping story of a young man wanting to return to hunting after personal tragedy.

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Duck hunting in Mexico with Ryan Lambert 8:07

12d ago8:07

8:07

Hunting abroad down Mexico way, Ryan Lambert calls into the show in the midst of a duck hunt.

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What's a good gift for a sportsman? Brendan Bayard gives us his two cents 6:52

12d ago6:52

6:52

Giving us his kayaker's report, Brendan Bayard updates us on how he did in last week's fishing competition; as well as some potential Christmas gifts that sportsmen can practically use.

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Being prepared for the harsh winter winds with Mike Gallo 6:23

12d ago6:23

6:23

Mike Gallo joins the program and breaks down how one can be safe in the wake of high winds over the water.

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Daryl Carpenter: "I haven't seen a wahoo season like this in a long time" 6:24

12d ago6:24

6:24

Daryl Carpenter gives us his Grand Isle report and offers insights on some off-shore fishing you might want to look into.

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"Experiences are greater than any gift" - Josh Sikes 6:21

12d ago6:21

6:21

Josh Sikes of Bent Rods Guide Service talks with Don about what makes a great Christmas gift for sportsmen.

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Getting your best fishing done before the cold front - Robbie Campo 6:48

12d ago6:48

6:48

Robbie Campo joins Don and gives his early morning report on the changing winter weather.

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Chicago’s famed Gale Street Inn is back!

17d ago

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WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Paulo Villabona, new owner of Chicago’s Gale Street Inn, about the return of this beloved Jefferson Park classic. Ribs baby! Galestreetinn.com for more information. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7847662/7847662_2025-12-08-173702.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts On the Map On the Map: Meet Mark Klaus of Castle Noel .cls-7{…

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Full Episode 12-6-2025: If you want to protect the Louisiana wilderness, here's how to do it. 1:13:40

25d ago1:13:40

1:13:40

On this episode of the Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc, Don wonders how bad the weather has to get before sportsman decide to stay home. He checks in with duck hunters across the state, speculates if Lake Salvador might become a fishing hotspot sometime soon, and details LDWF's process in recruiting future game wardens with special guest Colonel Step…

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Want to be a game warden? Colonel Stephen Clark tells you how 6:36

19d ago6:36

6:36

Special guest Colonel Stephen Clark comes on with Don and breaks down the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fishery's recruitment process for potential game wardens.

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Mike Gallo on dealing with inclement weather during prime fishing hours 5:51

19d ago5:51

5:51

Captain Mike Gallo comes on to the Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc and laments the lack of fishing available to him during recent inclement weather.

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Is Lake Salvador the next fishing hot spot? - feat. Ryan Lambert 5:50

19d ago5:50

5:50

Ryan Lambert joins the show and breaks down what he's experiencing in the rainy morning during duck season.

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A magical Christmas drive-thru at Santa’s Village in Dundee

19d ago

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WGN Radio’s Dave Plier is joined by Jason Sierpien of Santa’s Village to discuss their holiday drive-thru, which features over three-million synchronized lights, hot chocolate, funnel cakes, Santa photos, and more! Go to santasvillagedundee.com to learn more. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7846078/7846078_2025-12-06-053518.64kmono.mp3 Recent Post…

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Choose Chicago’s holiday pop-up bars and festive adulting experiences

20d ago

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Choose Chicago’s Jason Lesniewicz joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to highlight the many holiday pop-up bars coming to Chicago this season, including the Bamboo Club in Wrigleyville, “8 Crazy Nights” at the Graystone Tavern, Pink Squirrel Bar, and more. Go to choosechicago.com to learn more! https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7846076/7846076_2025-12-06-0…

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Full Show 11-29-2025: Diving Deep into Duck Season 1:13:26

26d ago1:13:26

1:13:26

Coming fresh off of the Thanksgiving Holliday, Don asks what your favorite wild game dish is to have on Thanksgiving? He breaks down poule d'eau gumbo, how the cold changes fishing patterns, and gives us the latest on the 2025 duck season.

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Kirk Stansel swings a misses on some ducks 5:02

1M ago5:02

5:02

Still in the thick of duck season, Kirk Stansel breaks down his findings to Don.

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Ryan Lambert picks off some teal live on air 6:55

26d ago6:55

6:55

Ryan Lambert calls Don from the duck blind and gets after some birds.

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The colder weather moves the fish inland according to Brendan Bayard 5:40

26d ago5:40

5:40

Kayaker Brendan Byard joins the program to deliver his best know spots for kayak fishing.

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"Fishing isn't really about the fish, that's just a bonus" - Mike Gallo 7:10

26d ago7:10

7:10

Captain Mike Gallo shares his Thanksgiving traditions, and the deeper meaning many find in fishing with their families.

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Winds have shut down Grand Isle fishing recently per Daryl Carpenter 6:22

1M ago6:22

6:22

Daryl Carpenter joins Don and gives us the latest on Grand Isle's fish and game.

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Robbie Campo: "These guys are just banging these ducks" 10:01

26d ago10:01

10:01

Robbie Campo of Capo's Marina joins us and gives us an update on the duck season.

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Full Episode 11-22-2025: All Quiet on the Mallard Front 1:12:56

1M ago1:12:56

1:12:56

On this episode of the Louisiana Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc, we continue to assess how the changing weather has affected the first few weeks of duck hunting. We ask whether it's ok to use drones to track deer, give advise on how to deal with fog when you're out on the water, and more.

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"Everything that can go wrong, has gone wrong" - Kirk Stansel 5:58

1M ago5:58

5:58

Kirk Stansel joins us from the duck blinds as we get a live look at how the birds are behaving in the early goings of the duck hunting season.

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The cast n' blast with Ryan Lambert 6:17

1M ago6:17

6:17

Ryan Lambert returns to the show and takes stock of how his fishing is going heading into Thanksgiving week.

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How the fog affects your duck hunting with Mike Smith 5:23

1M ago5:23

5:23

As the duck hunting season continues, we catch up with Mike Smith has he hangs out the the marshes of Louisiana patiently waiting for birds.

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Lance Burgos: The weather's been a little bit of a tease this season 5:39

1M ago5:39

5:39

Lance Burgos calls in to show to give this week's Kayaker's Report! He discusses the changing weather's affect on the fishing he's been seeing over the last couple of weeks.

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Safety tips for people fishing out in the fog with Mike Gallo 7:00

1M ago7:00

7:00

Mike Gallo joins the program to give his insights on how fisherman should approach being out on the water when in thick fog.

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Daryl Carpenter: Grand Isle's been exceptionally warm so far this year 6:20

1M ago6:20

6:20

Daryl Carpenter joins the show and breaks down how the weather is affecting Grand Isle's fish and game.

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"There's about 1/8 and 1/4 mile visibility in the morning fog" per Robbie Campo 8:29

1M ago8:29

8:29

Robbie Campo calls into the Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc to give us guidance on early morning fishing through the thick fog.

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Full Show 11-15-2025: Duck Season Hitting the Ground Running on Opening Day 1:13:21

2M ago1:13:21

1:13:21

On this episode of the Great Outdoors with Don Dubuc, we celebrate the opening day of duck hunting season. We check on some sportsman out in the marshes looking for birds, briefly check in on the menhaden news, and spread awareness for deer stand maintenance.

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"I'm seeing plenty of birds, but they're not really doing much" - Kirk Stansel 4:20

2M ago4:20

4:20

Captain Kirk Stansel joins Don and takes stock of the ducks on the opening day of duck hunting season.

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Teal hunting on opening day with Ryan Lambert 6:30

2M ago6:30

6:30

in the midst of teal hunting in the marshes, Ryan Lambert joins the show. He misses a few ducks, and talks about what he's seeing in the early goings of the duck season.