Show Notes — Episode 68: Expectation, Meet Reality…

After a full year of anticipation, Mike and Caitlin finally get the crew up at 3:30 a.m. and hit the ice—only to get completely skunked. Not a bite, not a fish in sight… just one lone pike visible down the hole, like it was there purely to taunt them. Which sparks the episode’s theme: all those times the outdoors (and life) humbles your plans and hands you a totally different version than what you pictured.

The Setup: Big Hype, Zero Fish

Ice fishing season in New Mexico can be short and unpredictable, so when the lake opens you go. Mike, Caitlin, the boys, and Necie make the early push and fish hard for six hours—moving, changing tactics, running tip-ups, checking electronics… and still come up empty. The day becomes the perfect launch point for a classic Outdoor Ruhls tradition: turning disappointment into stories.

Matt’s Classic: Getting “Marty’d”

Matt joins the call and brings up the infamous Canada guided fishing trip—supposed to be muskie glory, but instead became the birth of a family phrase: getting Marty’d. Their guide Marty catches fish while the guys struggle, then drops the all-time unhelpful explanation: fish like the way some people smell better than others. The trip ends with Poppy requesting “no more Marty,” and Marty gets reassigned to wheelbarrow duty.

Lake Erie Dreams… and Glass Water Reality

Matt and Mike relive the trip where they chased Lake Erie smallmouth fame only to get pinned down by wind for days. When it finally lays down? The lake goes dead calm and crystal clear—so clear they can see their tubes on the bottom… and, conveniently, the total absence of fish. All the hype, none of the payoff.

Mark’s Hunting Curveball: The E-Bike Letdown

Mark shares the story of buying e-bikes for deer camp—money spent, gear hauled, plans made—only to learn the trail they wanted to ride is off-limits. Instead of cruising in like futuristic backwoods commandos, it’s back to walking. It’s a perfect “expectation vs. reality” moment… with a side of Pennsylvania public land side-eye.

Poppy & Meemaw: Snow, Stubbornness, and 52 Years of Evidence

Mike calls Poppy and Meemaw, and the weekend’s “quick ice check” turns into a full-on snowbound adventure. Unplowed roads, blocked turnarounds, and a near-miss that has Meemaw flashing back to Cape Hatteras 1974—when a confident newlywed assured her the truck would be fine in the sand. The theme of the day becomes clear: no guts, no glory… but also, sometimes no guts, just stuck.

Mike & Caitlin: Barbary Sheep and Corner-Crossing Confusion

Caitlin’s Barbary sheep hunt gets the full reality treatment: flat tire, brutal road, sheep spotted… and then two hunters magically appear ahead of them by crossing a questionable public/private corner. The sheep bed right on the boundary, forcing a tough decision and showing how unclear rules can change the entire outcome.

Honeymoon Horseback Ride: The Worst Brochure Ever Printed

Mike and Caitlin swap one of their best “we thought this would be romantic” stories: a Nicaragua horseback ride that looks dreamy in the pamphlet—but turns into a two-hour trotting marathon on skinny horses, on roads, through town, in heat and humidity, with maximum chafing and minimal joy. Three beach pictures later, it’s back to trotting like their lives depend on it.

GT’s Houseboat Fiasco: Rainy Lake vs. Reality

GT tells the legendary Rainy Lake houseboat trip: the brochure promised a Northwoods yacht experience, but the reality was a floating 1960s camper, mechanical issues, storms, brotherly shouting in rocky channels, and a DEET sprayer that blasted mosquito repellent over dinner like seasoning. The cherry on top: months later a “gift” arrives postmarked from Canada—a DEET sprayer—thanks to a perfectly executed prank.

The Takeaway

Sometimes the outdoors doesn’t deliver the trophy—or even a bite—but it delivers stories you’ll tell for decades. Episode 68 is a reminder that “bad” trips often become the best memories… once you’re warm, dry, and far enough away from the moment to laugh about it.

As always, you can find all of the Outdoor Ruhls content on the website www.outdoorruhls.com, and on Instagram @outdoorruhlspodcast. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—and you can always reach out via email at outdoorruhls@gmail.com.

Episode 67 Show Notes

A Ruhl’s Best Friend…

In this episode, Mike and Caitlin check in with Mark and Rachel from the Outdoor Ruhls East studio for a heartfelt (and funny) conversation about dogs—the ones we’ve lost, the ones who shaped our lives, and the ridiculous trouble they sometimes get into. The episode centers on saying goodbye to Hatch, Mark and Rachel’s beloved Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and spirals into classic dog stories: skunks, stolen treats, fishhooks, and the kind of loyalty you only get from a four-legged best friend.

In This Episode

• Two studios, two households, one theme: dogs as family

• Mark and Rachel’s goodbye to Hatch (and what made him so special)

• Why Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are built different: water-loving, tough, and emotionally tuned-in

• Mike’s legendary dog Gus/Atticus stories—including the smoked trout “crime scene”

• Caitlin’s childhood cocker spaniel Murphy: Thanksgiving chaos, counter-surfing, and stolen treats

• The skunk incident that turned a pheasant hunt into a hazmat situation

• The accidental lesson everyone learns eventually: you can’t go “just look” at puppies

• The truth about dog sunscreen (yes… including that part)

• Bonus: a St. Bernard + black lab “mystery litter,” groundhog wars, and a terrifying possum chase

Featured Dogs (and Legends)

• Hatch (Chessie) – Loyal, gentle, empathetic, and the ultimate companion

• Gus / Atticus – The obedient gentleman… except for that one smoked trout

• Newt (Lab x Chessie) – Sweet, sensitive, semi-feral, and occasionally on the wrong side of the law

• Murphy (Cocker Spaniel) – Food-obsessed escape artist and treat thief

• Barkley (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) – Learned to swim… then fought a muskrat and ate a hook

• Trigger (St. Bernard x Black Lab) – Gentle giant, groundhog terminator, possum-fearing sprinter

Memorable Moments

• Hatch “ruing” one last time on his final day

• Murphy eating an entire apple pie… and smelling like apples afterward

• The skunk mix-up: “That’s a cat… wait… that’s NOT a cat.”

• Barkley’s pond era: from “learning to swim” to “defending the koi pond”

• The dog sunscreen debate—settled once and for all

Quotes Worth Remembering

• “We don’t deserve dogs… especially not the really good ones.”

• “You don’t go and look at puppies.”

• “If not friend, why friend-shaped?”

Where to Find Us

• Website: www.outdoorrhuls.com

• Instagram: @outdoorrhuls

• Listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube

A missed connection at O’Hare derails a long-planned flintlock hunting trip, sparking a conversation about knowing when to push forward—and when to bail. Mike reflects on the power of last week’s episode with Uncle Sim, the importance of community and perspective across generations, and how even bad luck can lead to better stories, new plans, and gratitude for the people (and dogs) who matter most.

Episode 65 — Winter Ruhls

In this mid-January “slow season” check-in, Mike, Mark, and Poppy look ahead to a quick Pennsylvania trip for the last week of flintlock/muzzleloader season—and hope for ice fishing that’s been spotty in PA and nearly nonexistent in New Mexico. To lean into the winter vibe, they call up Uncle Sim (born 1932, turning 94) to hear what winter meant on the Rexmont farm before TVs, freezers, and modern conveniences.

Sim walks the crew through old-school farm life month-by-month: holiday traditions, New Year’s butchering, and the realities of preserving food without modern refrigeration—smoked meats, canned meat (including his legendary canned tenderloin), dried produce on the woodstove, and hauling water by hand. The conversation is packed with details about how much work went into keeping a farm running through winter: manure piling and spring spreading, milking routines, and making do with limited electricity and heat from a single stove.

The stories really come alive when Sim describes the community that revolved around the farm—neighbors coming down for butchering weekends (and lively debates over pig weights), kids playing “boom sock” in the barn lofts, and entire mining towns forming hockey teams to play on the farm pond. He also dives into winter fun like sled riding from Rexmont down to the farm, and the grit-and-humor of growing up with a party-line telephone, Saturday-night baths, and a no-nonsense “wood chest” behind the stove for discipline.

Sim’s memories spill into food and market life too—potatoes and apples stored in the barn and basement, cider and apple butter days, and his mom’s Saturday market routine in Lebanon selling cakes, cookies, eggs, and chickens (plus a classic hot-dog theft-and-getting-caught story). Before signing off, Sim touches on small-game hunting traditions—how the boys couldn’t hunt until the corn was husked—and how different the hunting felt back then compared to today.

In this episode:

• Mid-winter hunting plans: flintlock/muzzleloader wrap-up + hoping for ice

• New Mexico vs. Pennsylvania winter realities

• Rexmont farm winters: butchering, preserving, and staying busy

• Canned tenderloin, smoked meats, dried produce, and life without freezers

• Community weekends: butchering gatherings, homemade wine, and farm “events”

• Barn games like “boom sock” and town-vs-town pond hockey

• Sled riding routes, party-line phones, and Saturday night bath routines

• Lebanon market trips: baking, selling farm goods, and Sim’s hot dog story

• Small game hunting and corn husking as the gatekeeper for fall hunting

Follow along:
Instagram: @OutdoorRuhls • Website: www.outdoorrules.com • Listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTube

Episode 64 Show Notes

Title: To Be Precise…

Hosts/Guests: Mark Ruhl with guest Dan (Rachel’s brother)

Main Topics: Precision/custom rifles, modern cartridges, optics, reloading, ethical range, and why Western hunts shouldn’t be put off.

Overview

Mark sits down with his brother-in-law Dan—an unapologetic precision-rifle nerd—to talk about how “custom rifles” have evolved from the old days of blueprinted Remington 700s to today’s world of high-end clone actions, carbon barrels, and purpose-built setups. They bounce between hunting and competition shooting, covering what matters most (and what doesn’t) if you’re trying to build a rifle that performs in the real world.

Key Conversations & Takeaways

Custom rifles: then vs. now

Dan explains how “custom” used to mean tweaking a factory action, but now includes a massive aftermarket of 700-footprint actions (Defiance, Terminus, Lone Peak, Impact, etc.) with features like DLC coating and shorter bolt throws. The takeaway: modern custom actions are generally excellent—it often comes down to preference.

Hunting reality check: don’t wait to hunt out West

Dan emphasizes that Western tags are getting more expensive and harder to draw, pressure is increasing, and conditions can change fast (winter kill, disease, predators). His advice is simple: if you want to hunt the West, do it sooner rather than later.

Tree stand grind vs. mountain grind

A fun comparison: Dan admits he’s wired for movement, so long, cold tree-stand sits are mentally harder than pounding miles in the mountains—even if the mountain is physically tougher. Still, they agree there’s value in the quiet headspace you get in a stand.

Factory ammo is better than ever (for most hunters)

Reloading used to be about saving money; now it’s often about precision. Dan says factory ammo can be “one-hole good” at 100 yards, but handloads shine when you care about SD/ES consistency for long-range steel. For hunting at normal distances, many shooters don’t need to reload if they find a factory load their rifle loves.

Cartridges: don’t get paralyzed by the debate

They dig into why modern cartridges like 7 PRC are popular: they’re designed around long, high-BC bullets, good external ballistics, and manageable recoil. But they also stress that within ethical hunting ranges, many cartridges are plenty lethal—what matters most is practice, good bullets, and knowing your limits.

Optics matter more than people think

Dan and Mark agree: if you’re spending big money, don’t blow it all on the rifle and cheap out on the glass. Quality scope + proper mounting (rings, torque, leveling) prevents a lot of “scope problems” that are really mounting problems.

Suppressors and kids

A strong point: kids often fear the noise more than recoil. Suppressors reduce blast, make coaching easier, and can improve shooting comfort—even if brakes reduce recoil more.

Competition shooting as hunter training

Dan says matches (especially NRL Hunter) expose what you don’t know—positional shooting, recoil management, building fast shooting platforms, and understanding wind/ballistics. His warning is blunt: a rifle marketed as “1000 yards out of the box” doesn’t mean the shooter is capable of ethical long shots on game.

Memorable Quotes / Moments

“Don’t wait” (about hunting out West)

“The rifle may be capable… chances are you are not.” (about long-range marketing)

Precision is fun, but the goal stays the same: shoot within your limitations—and actually know what they are.

Links & Mentions

Dan on Instagram: Transient Outdoorsman

Discussion of training resources and instruction (including Dan’s shoutout to precision-rifle coaching content)

Outro / Where to Follow

Find more Outdoor Ruhls content at outdoorruhls.com and on Instagram/Facebook at Outdoor Ruhls.

Episode 63 — “Pulpo Bob Goes Spearfishing”

Setting: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico — last full day of the trip, sunrise coffee over the Sea of Cortez, private beach cove + pool life with the kids.

Summary

The crew recaps a week in Cabo built around family and fishing: striped marlin “combat” fishing close to shore, a slow tuna day, and then a smaller-boat trip that produced tuna, wahoo, and the main event—Robert’s spearfishing mission. Along the way: sashimi and ceviche on the boat, the arch + Lover’s Beach, Wild Canyon animals (lovebirds, macaws, guinea pigs), and a reminder that the best part was being together.

Key Beats

Cabo basecamp

• Airbnb in the hills ~5 km from downtown; private pool + a private Sea of Cortez beach with a view of Cabo and the arch.

Customs surprise

• Mike gets hit with a 19% tax on “professional” podcast gear after choosing the X-ray line.

Fishing recap (4 different vibes)

• Striped marlin: not classic trolling—boats pile onto bait balls and free-line live mackerel; 4 hooked / 3 landed (~100–120 lbs).

• Dorado hunt: no dorado; bonito/skipjack; still ends up marlin fishing.

• Tuna day: eight-hour grind; a couple tuna lost; GT lands a marlin on a cedar plug.

• Small-boat troll (Diablo Loco): faster, deeper-running hard baits; captain “guns it” to set hooks—two yellowfin + one wahoo landed, plus a bigger fish lost mid-fight.

Main event: Pulpo Bob Spearfishing

• Robert drives the whole plan. Snorkel + fins + speargun over a rocky reef ~25 ft deep.

• Robert wears a wetsuit top + life jacket for warmth/comfort and stays in the water a long time—guide calls him “a beast.”

• Fish spotted: parrotfish, triggerfish, butterflyfish, puffers, and eel-looking guys (morae vibes). No speared fish yet—Robert is determined for next time.

Boat lunch + family fun

• Tuna sashimi + wahoo ceviche on the boat.

• Glass-bottom boat tour to the arch + Lover’s Beach (not Divorce Beach).

• Wild Canyon animals + surprise camel ride; kids’ favorites: pool, beach, guinea pigs, lovebirds.

Wrap + CTA

“No bad days” (except the tax-room hour).
More at www.OutdoorRuhls.com and Instagram @outdoorruhls.
Stormy Kromer orders / episode ideas: outdoorruhls@gmail.com.

Episode 63 – “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Flintlocks Revisited)” – Show Notes (Medium)

It’s Christmas week, and the Outdoor Ruhls crew is down in Cabo San Lucas with family—so instead of a brand-new episode, Mike replays a fan-favorite from last year: “Beautifully Imperfect,” the episode that captures why Pennsylvania flintlock muzzleloader season is the real “most wonderful time of the year” (and not Christmas). Mike opens with holiday wishes from the family to yours: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Festivus, Happy New Year, and Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo.

Recorded live from deer camp (“the shanty”), Mike, Mark, and Matt revisit what makes flintlock season so special: it starts the day after Christmas, it’s uniquely Pennsylvanian, and it’s equal parts tradition, teamwork, and chaos. The guys break down how a flintlock works—flint strikes the frizzen, sparks ignite pan powder, fire runs through the touch hole—and why it’s so unreliable. Moisture, bad flints, powder leaking out, hangfires, misfires, and the infamous long lock time make follow-through essential. Even when everything works, flintlocks are harder to shoot accurately than modern rifles, and for most real woods hunting, 50 yards is a solid flintlock distance.

They share how the Ruhls got into flintlocks thanks to a high school biology teacher, Mr. Jerry Stover, and why this season became their favorite way to hunt together between Christmas and New Year. Much of the magic comes from deer drives—less sitting all day, more moving, more teamwork, and (in the good years) snow on the ground for tracking and unmistakable blood trails. They also touch on the appeal of the season’s tag structure in PA, where flintlock can turn into a rare chance at a statewide antlerless opportunity with the right permit.

Gear talk includes their evolution from patch-and-round-ball to conicals and eventually their go-to PowerBelts (around 295 gr), plus the hard truth that flintlocks generally need real black powder—substitutes and pellets can mean misfires or painfully slow ignition. And of course, they admit the obvious: they’ve missed plenty. Flintlocks have a way of failing at the worst moment… then firing perfectly five minutes later at a stump.

The episode closes with classic deer camp humor and family lore—like Davey’s early flintlock success, the crew’s running jokes about muzzleloader terms, and the legendary moment when young Mark sat down as a “stander” and Poppy furiously tried to signal “STAND UP” as a buck slipped through. It’s frustrating, it’s hilarious, it’s tradition—and it’s exactly why the season is, in their words, beautifully imperfect.

Connect with Outdoor Ruhls:

• Instagram: @outdoorruhls

• Email: outdoorruhls@gmail.com

• Website: www.outdoorruhls.com

Episode 62 – “Safety Third” – Show Notes

Mike, GT, Mark, and Matt gather for a laughter-filled tour through decades of mishaps, close calls, and self-inflicted injuries that earned the family motto: Safety Third. After a quick recap of New Mexico whitetail hunting—highlighted by Robert’s impressive 8-mile day and his deep dive into the Hunter Ed manual—the crew turns to stories from Pennsylvania’s rifle season, upcoming flintlock plans, and their soon-to-depart trip to Cabo for striped marlin and tuna fishing.

The centerpiece of the episode is a collection of outrageous (and true) injury stories:

• Matt’s greatest hits: a utility-knife knee stab, an ambulance ride after a toe-kick saw carved a half-circle into his leg, and countless stitches from 30 years in the trades.

• Tim’s “fire trilogy”: torching a tar-paper house after hornet spray ignited, setting a bathroom ablaze with paint stripper and a live outlet, and another exterior siding fire—followed by losing a house years later in a neighbor-caused garage fire.

• Ruhl childhood classics: Mark hatcheting his finger at age four, the infamous blender incident, and Mike nearly taking off his fingertip with a chop saw while working on a boat project.

• Bonus stories include Caitlin’s first pocket-knife wound at age seven, Robert running a log splitter responsibly at seven, and a teaser for future wildlife-encounter episodes—especially Grant’s legendary feral cat saga.

The episode wraps with updates on Outdoor Ruhls’ viral reels, details on ordering Stormy Kromer caps, and how to connect with the show:

• Instagram: @outdoorruhls

• Email: outdoorruhls@gmail.com

Outdoor Ruhls Podcast – Episode 61
“Hell on Ice”

A spray-painted “PET” deer, a viral MeatEater post, custom Outdoor Ruhls Stormy Kromers, and a 60-year-old wooden toboggan that refuses to retire—Episode 61 is full-tilt winter chaos. Mike and Mark open with the story behind the now-famous “PET” deer that wandered past their Pennsylvania blind, how the video ended up with Steve Rinella, and why it’s been viewed over 3 million times. They also welcome new listeners and describe what the show is at its core: a family-driven outdoors podcast built on storytelling, humor, and shared memories.

Then comes the snow carnage. Memaw and Poppy recount how their massive wooden toboggan once helped spark two marriages, long before it started racking up injuries—like Memaw’s Christmas Day broken nose and Ron’s broken ankle at Log Hollow Camp. Mike, Matt, Davey, and Kate add their own chapters: the Fairview Golf Course jump that left Davey with a badly injured wrist; the infamous nighttime return run where Ann Boyer hit the same jump in the dark and bruised her hip so badly she remembered it for decades; and a reminder that once the toboggan claims one victim, it usually isn’t done.

The episode wraps with more “hell on ice”: the Perry County canoe-sled crash, Kate’s one and only ice-fishing trip that ended with a fractured tailbone, her too-small snowsuit exploding in the Swiss Alps, and Hunter’s full-send ski and snowboard wrecks. Through all of it, the throughline is pure Outdoor Ruhls—family, laughter, and stories that last far longer than any trophy.

Want an Outdoor Ruhls Stormy Kromer hat?
👉 Email OutdoorRuhls@gmail.com (R-U-H-L-S) with:

• Color choice (Blaze Orange or Forest Floor)

• Your head measurement or hat size

• Any questions about sizing or ordering

Episode 60: Seven for Seven

Show Notes – Outdoor Ruhls Podcast

Seven years old. Seven-point buck. First day of rifle season in Pennsylvania. In this episode, Mike sits down with brothers Mark, Matt, and Davey—and the kids—to relive a wild opening day that ends with Robert tagging his very first deer.

It’s a full-family, full-circle kind of story: archery season recaps, arguments about Saturday vs. Monday openers, a half-tame deer literally licking the rifle barrel…and then an evening hunt in the “Squid Shootin’ Shack” where everything comes together for a perfect 160-yard shot.

In This Episode

Stormy Kromer x Outdoor Ruhls Hats Are Coming

Mike kicks things off with an update on a special collab with Stormy Kromer.

Two colors: Blaze Orange (perfect for rifle season) and Forest Floor (plaid).

Custom Outdoor Ruhls logo on the ear flap.

These are fitted, sized hats, not one-size-fits-all.

Need at least 36 hats ordered to make it happen.

👉 If you’re interested, email outdoorruhls@gmail.com

(that’s R-U-H-L-S) with your color choice and size. Mike and the crew can help you figure out sizing using Stormy Kromer’s head-measuring guide and online calculator.

Saturday vs. Monday Opener – The Great PA Debate

The Ruhl brothers and Davey wade into one of the hottest topics in Pennsylvania deer hunting:

Did moving rifle opener from Monday to Saturday kill deer camp culture or make hunting more accessible?

The old rhythm of heading to camp on Friday, hanging stands, telling stories, and then hunting Monday.

How archery season, Sunday hunting, and changing deer numbers have shifted when and how deer get killed.

Nostalgia, tradition, economics, and what they’d like to see the Game Commission do next.

Archery Season Recap

Before rifles come out, the crew looks back on fall:

Mark’s big-bodied 8-pointer with his compound bow and those wild flashing lighted nocks (“disco party in the woods”).

Davey’s quick November 3rd bow buck on his parents’ small Lancaster property.

How antler restrictions have quietly changed Pennsylvania buck quality and hunter expectations over the last 20+ years.

Getting Robert Ready – BB Gun to 6.5 Creedmoor

Mike and Uncle Matt walk through how Robert went from:

Red Ryder BB gun → air rifle → .22 → 6.5 Creedmoor

Practicing at 100 yards with reduced-recoil 6.5 Creedmoor loads.

Using Pennsylvania’s mentored youth hunting program so a 7-year-old can hunt with his own tag while an adult carries the rifle to and from the stand.

The kids’ pre-season excitement, talking about dreams, not sleeping, and “going to sleep is like fast traveling” to opening morning.

Deer Named “Pet” & The Weirdest Hunt Ever

On the morning hunt, Robert and CJ sit in a ground blind with Mike, Poppy, and Uncle Mark…and things get bizarre:

A doe walks in with “PET” spray-painted in bright orange on both sides.

The deer walks right up, sniffs the muzzle, and licks the rifle barrel.

Everyone realizes somebody raised this deer like a pet—and that it’s probably not equipped for real wild life.

No legal bucks show up, but it’s a story none of them will ever forget.

Seven for Seven – Robert’s First Buck

The evening hunt is where the magic happens:

Mike, Uncle Matt, and Robert head to the elevated hard-sided blind that CJ used last year—the “Squid Shootin’ Shack.”

Does feed out at about 160 yards. A good buck follows them into the cornfield.

Uncle Matt and Mike quietly coach Robert: Can you hit him? Are you sure? Do you know where to aim?

Robert settles the crosshairs behind the shoulder, squeezes…

The buck runs 30–40 yards and tips over in sight.

Chaos, hugging, shaking, and a very proud dad and uncle.

It’s a big 7-point—perfect for a seven-year-old. Last year CJ shot an 8-point at eight years old, so now it’s officially “Eight for Eight” and “Seven for Seven.”

Naming the Stand & Saving the Stories

The kids brainstorm new names for the blind now that it holds two first bucks—maybe “Cousins’ Cracking Shack” or some mash-up of Squid and Bob. Mike reflects on:

How special it is that almost the whole family was there—Rachel, Kaylee, Caitlin, Meemaw and Poppy—either watching from other blinds or helping with recovery and butchering.

Why recording these stories on the podcast matters, so CJ, Robert, and Emmit (and their kids someday) can hear their own voices and family memories years down the road.

How to Support Outdoor Ruhls

Preorder a Stormy Kromer x Outdoor Ruhls hat

Email: outdoorruls@gmail.com

with your size and choice of Blaze Orange or Forest Floor.

Listen & Follow

Website: outdoorruls.com

Instagram & Facebook: @outdoorruls

Subscribe & Review

If you enjoyed this first-buck episode, please follow the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, and leave a rating or review—it helps other hunters and families find the show.

More deer season stories—and more from the kids—coming soon. 🦌🧡

Episode 59: German Roots, American Soil (Part 2)

Hunting stories, canning venison, bone broth, and the legacy of an old-world Oma

This is the second half of our two-part conversation with Erika — Rachel’s mom and CJ’s Oma.
👉 If you haven’t listened to Episode 58: German Roots, American Soil yet, go back and start there first.

Mike opens the show from New Mexico, talking about their upcoming trip to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving and the deer opener. From there, the episode turns over entirely to Mark, Rachel, and Erika as they pick up right where Part 1 left off.

What’s inside (short & sweet):

• Erika’s three hunting experiences: a pressured one-and-done deer hunt, a Florida gator that turned out to be much bigger than she paid for, and a wild boar taken on the ride back from the stand.

• The legendary “giant gator board” that hung in their old house — and the Craigslist story that finally got it out the door.

• Oma’s role as the head of the butchering crew: deboning deer, directing the work, and teaching CJ to help from a young age.

• How Erika makes venison bone broth and canned meat: roasting bones, long simmering, straining, pressure canning, raw-packing venison cubes, and why canned meat stays tender for years.

• Wild game talk: antelope vs. elk, using the organs, keeping tongues, and why caul-fat meatballs are amazing on day one and questionable on day two.

• German vs. Pennsylvania Dutch food and culture: sweetened salads, chow-chow, dialects, and her infamous first hot-dog-and-sauerkraut experience at Hersheypark.

• What Erika hopes CJ carries forward: self-sufficiency, curiosity, old-world traditions, and her strong servant-hearted nature.

Listen & Follow

Spotify • Apple Podcasts • OutdoorRuhls.com
Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Episode 58: German Roots, American Soil (Part 1)

Erika’s Old-World Childhood, Multi-Gen Living, Gardening, Canning, and the Roots She’s Passing Down

This week, Mark and Rachel sit down with a very special guest: Erika — Rachel’s mom and CJ’s grandma (Oma). Erika grew up in a small village in southwest Germany where almost everything was homegrown, home-baked, home-butchered, and home-preserved. In this warm, funny, and deeply nostalgic episode, she shares those old-world traditions and the ways they’ve carried into her modern life in Pennsylvania — including multi-generational living, gardening with CJ, preserving food, and creating a home built around family and service.

In this episode we talk about:

Growing up in southwest Germany

• Life in the village of Atmohausen where everyone knew everyone — sometimes before you got home.

• 90% homegrown food: milk from the neighborhood milk house, sourdough from the village oven, vegetables from the garden, meat from family and neighbors.

• Why food was precious after WWII and how the Cold War years shaped frugal, no-waste habits.

• Sundays as true family days: stores closed, big hikes, and exploring the woods with her dad.

Multi-generational households — then and now

• Living with grandparents, parents, and kids together under one roof, each with their own kitchen and living space.

• How everyone pitched in: babysitting, nursing someone back to health, sharing meals, combining resources.

• How Rachel and Mark have recreated that model today with their own multi-generational home — CJ upstairs, Oma and Opa downstairs, one shared laundry room, and lots of shared life.

Village camping, Red Cross trips & the ‘thunder log’

• Summer trips with 50 village kids in old military tents with no floors.

• Breakfast choices: jelly bread, liverwurst, or “go without.”

• Downpours, floating air mattresses, and digging trenches in the middle of the night.

• The infamous story of Erika’s dad being carried, asleep on his cot, into the lake at dawn — and calmly walking it back out.

Old-world butchering and food traditions

• Helping her butcher uncle, learning nose-to-tail principles the old German way.

• Why pig tails, cheeks, and snouts were delicacies — and why cow tongue is still one of her favorites.

• School lunches of liverwurst and pickles on homemade bread and trading with “city kids” for factory-made white bread.

How Erika met John and came to America

• The persistent American soldier who approached her at a train-station bistro.

• Giving him a fake name — and how he still managed to find her.

• Her father’s condition: he would fly to the U.S. with her, and if he didn’t approve, she’d be coming right back home.

• Falling in love with central Pennsylvania, cowboy hats, and a new life far from home.

• Early married life in Monterey, California, overlooking the bay while John served at Fort Ord.

Gardening: old-world skill, modern joy

• Why cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce are her favorites — and why cabbage is her lifelong gardening nemesis.

• Seed catalogs (especially heirlooms) as “a stroll through the candy store.”

• Gardening organically, fighting weeds, and the success of using tarp between raised beds.

• The special bond between Oma and CJ in the garden: picking seeds together, eating herbs straight off the plants, and spending hours outside together without screens.

• Why gardening is for every age — from toddlers with trowels to grandparents with wisdom.

Quail, chickens, bees & rabbits

• Raising meat rabbits as a child — and why she’s happy to eat rabbit now but won’t raise them again.

• Backyard chickens, broody hens hatching quail eggs, and the daily “Easter egg hunt” of finding tiny speckled eggs.

• The joys and frustrations of beekeeping and why they may try again in the future.

Canning and preserving the old-fashioned way

• Why canning meat, vegetables, and broth is a deeply satisfying and practical tradition.

• Deboning meat with purpose: saving certain cuts, preparing others for future meals.

• Making rich bone broth the traditional way: roasting, simmering, straining, and pressure canning.

• Why learning to preserve food is a skill Erika believes every generation should carry forward.

Passing on traditions to CJ

• What Erika hopes CJ keeps with her for life:

  • Self-sufficiency paired with a servant’s heart

  • The courage to try new skills

  • Respect for tools, sharp knives, and her own capabilities

  • A love of gardening, canning, and homemade foods

  • German holiday traditions like Nikolaustag and Christmas Eve celebrations

• Why investing time with kids when they’re small is the key to staying connected when they're older.

Next time…

This episode ends right before Erika begins telling stories about her brief but unforgettable experiences with hunting, alligators, and wild boar, plus how she became the quiet general of the deer-butchering crew.

Those stories — and the full deep dive into canning meat, raw-packing venison, and old-world food preservation — will kick off Episode 59.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at OutdoorRuhls.com
Follow along on Instagram: @outdoorruhls

In Episode 57, Long Exposure, Mark steps in as host to interview his wife, Rachel, about her journey from harvesting a trophy Illinois buck to becoming one of Lancaster County’s top photographers. They discuss her hunting roots, the creative influence of her father’s photojournalism, and her rise in wedding and elopement photography—known for her emotional, documentary style and love of blue-hour light. It’s a warm, funny, and heartfelt look at how Rachel’s passion for storytelling and the outdoors has shaped both her art and family life.

Episode 56 — Happy Birthday to Us!

Guests/Voices: Mike, Mark, Matt, and Poppy (recorded in Quentin, Pennsylvania)

Summary

The Ruhl boys celebrate one full year of Outdoor Ruhls with a roundtable: remembering dear family friend Catherine Schott, swapping mid-season whitetail updates, plotting a mentored-youth hunt for Robert, and looking back on favorite episodes and lessons from year one—plus a big list of show ideas we’re excited to make next.

Chapter Guide

• 00:00 Cold open & intros from Quentin, PA

• 02:00 Remembering Catherine Schott: leadership, service, and “100% effort”

• 08:30 Mid-season deer report: rut signs, standing corn, and stand strategy

• 14:30 Poppy’s shoulder replacement, recovery timeline, and rifle-season hopes

• 18:30 Mark’s tag-punch with the compound & living with MG (myasthenia gravis)

• 26:00 Mini-adventure: helping friend Bob Bridges recover his buck

• 32:30 Mentored-Youth plan for Robert: licenses, tags, rifle fit, and range prep

• 41:00 Year-one reflections: favorite episodes, why we’re doing this, and family voices on tape

• 50:00 What’s next: episode ideas (Safety Third, Hell on Ice, Monkey Business, witticisms & mixed metaphors, FFA, Milton Hershey, photography, canning/gardening, San Diego sport fishing)

• 58:00 Closing thoughts & Thanksgiving/ice-fishing chatter

Season Highlights

• Rut watch: Chasing starting in spots; movement muted by standing corn that should come off soon.

• Mark’s season: Passed a young 8; later took a big-bodied 8 with the compound after MG symptoms eased.

• Poppy: Two weeks post-op (left shoulder). Eyeing rifle season with caution (lead sled, muzzle brake).

• Pipeline stand tales: Doe standoffs, quick decisions, and a clean 30-yard shot.

Mentored-Youth (PA) — Our Plan for Robert

• License path discussed: Mentored Youth permit; at age 7 the youth can hold their own tags.

• This year’s reality: Missed the antlerless draw → buck only for Robert.

• Antler rule (as discussed): Youth buck can be legal without standard point restrictions (≥ ~3" spike).

• Firearm handling (as discussed): Mentor carries during travel; one gun between mentor & youth; transfer only once settled.

• Rifle options: 6.5 Creedmoor vs. youth .243; priority is fit, comfort with recoil/noise, and range time first.

Note: We’re sharing our understanding from chat—always check current PA Game Commission regs before hunting.

Year-One Favorites & Why They Matter

• Family history episodes: Uncles Sim & Dick (“it was perfect—family, family, family”), Pop Bud stories, and Norway diaries.

• Guest standouts: Pat Durkin, Ben Goldfarb, Bob Jacquart (Stormy Kromer).

• Why we’re doing this: Capturing voices and stories while we can—“priceless” for the family archive.

Future Episode Ideas We Tease

• Safety Third: Home-shop mishaps, tool tales, and hospital runs (special cameo ideas: Grant’s table-saw lesson).

• Monkey Business: Animal shenanigans (squirrel bites & rabies shots, plus broader critter capers).

• Hell on Ice: Toboggan carnage, ice-fishing wipeouts, and Potter County legends.

• Witticisms & Mixed Metaphors: Pop Grant’s classics (“nat’s ass over a nail keg”) and the kids’ best mash-ups.

• FFA & Milton Hershey: With Harold Burkheiser, Dan Kreider, and local ag history.

• Photography: Rachel + Tim (gear, field craft, storytelling).

• Canning & Gardening: Bone broth, pantry projects, and field-to-jar know-how.

• Sport Fishing: Dave Arnold & Capt. Matt Arnold (San Diego), plus a dream trip episode.

People Mentioned

Catherine Schott, Bob Bridges (and daughter Anna), Davey, Sim & Dick, Beth, Dave & Matt Arnold, Harold Burkheiser, Dan Kreider, Rachel, Kaylee, CJ, Kate & Anne.

Gear Corner (brief)

• Bows: Crossbow vs. compound (vision/eye-patch workarounds for MG).

• Rifles: 6.5 Creedmoor & youth .243 considerations for young shooters.

• Stability: Lead sleds, brakes, and smart recoil management for healing shoulders.

Links & Thanks

• Website: OutdoorRuhls.com

• Instagram: @outdoorruhls

• Cooking page for future recipes: OutdoorRuhls.com/cooking
  Big thanks to our listeners—especially the Central PA crew—who’ve been with us through the first year. We’re just getting warmed up.

SEO / Tags

Deer hunting Pennsylvania, rut timing, standing corn deer behavior, mentored youth hunting PA, youth deer rifle fit, myasthenia gravis and archery, family hunting podcast, Outdoor Ruhls, Catherine Schott, deer recovery tips, pipeline stand strategy, ice fishing prep, Stormy Kromer story, FFA agriculture history, Milton Hershey, photography outdoors, canning bone broth.

Episode 55 — In Memoriam of Catherine Schott

Dedication:

This episode is lovingly dedicated to Catherine Schott—a surrogate grandmother, steadfast friend, and bright thread in the Outdoor Ruhls family fabric. “Hey, lady—this one’s for you.”

Episode Summary:

On the one-year anniversary of the show, Mike and Mark press pause on the planned celebration to honor the life of Catherine Schott. As a tribute, they rebroadcast the marriage-advice roundtable episode Catherine inspired—full of stories about love, patience, togetherness, and doing life outdoors as a family.

Chapter Guide

00:00 – Cold Open: Hunting, fishing, cooking… and family.

00:21 – Why This Episode: A change of plans; remembering Catherine Schott and why she mattered to the Ruhls.

02:54 – Mike & Caitlin: 13 Years: “Choose wisely”—banter, what they’ve learned, and favorite outdoor memories as a couple.

Argentina Dorado Story: Overnight buses, chocolate-milk water, and a leaping golden dorado—when adventure meets logistics.

Calls for Wisdom:

Catherine & Leonard Schott: 69 years of marriage—communicate, listen, never go to bed angry, do things together.

Memaw & Poppy (Mike’s parents): 51 years—patience, make memories, variety, and lots of early-morning departures (plus the Cape Hatteras honeymoon “stuck truck” classic).

Caitlin’s parents (Tim & Necie): Opposites who support each other, laugh easily, and learn from differences; Yosemite RV paradox and Irish honeymoon.

Kate & Jed: Same vintage marriage—talk it out, avoid double kayaks, and invite kids into gardens, pools, and first adventures.

Matt (Mike’s brother): The honest take—do whatever you can to keep her happy—and the reminder that even imperfect stories can raise great kids.

Closing Reflections: Find what works for your marriage; struggle makes the sweet parts sweeter. “Happy anniversary, us.”

Note: The rebroadcast centers on Catherine’s voice and presence; her name is Catherine Schott throughout.

Themes & Takeaways

Communication > Perfection: Listen fully, speak kindly, and don’t keep score.

Togetherness Is a Choice: Make the outdoors a shared space—for couples, for kids, for extended family.

Patience & Play: Laugh at the mishaps (stuck trucks, funky RVs, delayed buses); they become the best stories.

Do Hard Things Together: Big adventures (and small chores) are glue for a marriage.

Legacy of Love: Catherine’s life reminds us to show up for people like family—because they are.

People in This Episode

Honoree: Catherine Schott

Guests by call: Leonard Schott; Memaw & Poppy; Tim & Necie; Kate & Jed; Matt

Hosts: Mike & Mark Ruhl; Co-hosted segments with Caitlin

Notable Moments to Clip

“Hey lady—this one’s for you.” (tribute tag)

“Never go to bed angry; learn to listen.” —Catherine & Leonard

“We did family things—because we were a family.” —Memaw & Poppy

“We’re total opposites—patience and support win.” —Tim & Necie

“Talk it out, always. And skip the double kayak.” —Kate & Jed

“Do whatever you can to keep her happy.” —Matt

Episode 54: Friendship in Paradise

Where: Immigrant, Montana, in the shadow of Emigrant Peak
Guests: Mike & Alison Himmelspach (dear friends, horsemen, hunters, and excellent storytellers)
Theme: How a tight-knit Yellowstone community became lifelong hunting partners—plus deep cuts on horse packing, Montana wind, Fort Peck boat hunts, New Mexico Oryx, and the grind of unlimited bighorn sheep.

Summary

Mike & Caitlin return to their old home to sit down with friends Mike and Alison Himmelspach. We trace the thread from summer softball nights to ranch gates and trailheads, then dive into the craft (and chaos) of horse packing—Decker vs. Sawbuck saddles, strings up to 12+ animals, and what really counts as a “wreck.” We swap Fort Peck stories (including Caitlin’s genius blaze-orange life vest), relive Alison’s once-in-a-lifetime Oryx hunt on White Sands, and unpack the patience and scouting behind the Gardiner-area unlimited bighorn units where both Himmelspachs tagged rams. Bonus: an Alaska Dall sheep dream, fjord horses, and why Paradise Valley’s beauty is matched only by its wind.

Highlights & Topics

Yellowstone roots → lifelong friends: softball teams, dog-sled buddies, and the small-world web that ties park people and valley ranchers together.

Horse packing 101 (and 9-1-1): balancing panniers and manis, reading mules and horses, using breakaways, and preventing “yard-sale” wrecks on sidehills.

Guide life reality: 2:30–3:00 a.m. mornings, slick trails in the dark, keeping clients safe (and smiling) through weather and nerves.

Paradise Valley primer: Gardiner Basin to Yankee Jim Canyon to Livingston—stunning country that can blow trucks off I-90.

Fort Peck boat camp: deer and cow-elk plans from the lake, hot pike/walleye/smallie fishing…and a life jacket pressed into duty as blaze orange.

Oryx on White Sands: a gritty, team-effort New Mexico pack-out; why shot placement differs from deer/elk; toughness of African antelope in the desert.

Unlimited bighorn units: over-the-counter tags, 3/4-curl rule, tiny quotas, daily check-ins, and the sheer scouting it takes to notch a legal ram.

Alaska sheep attempt: Brooks Range, grizzlies, and stout little mountain horses; why “big country” has a different meaning up there.

Mule deer Thanksgiving buck: a wide, heavy three-point that kept getting bigger the closer we got.

Turkey humility tour: lots of miles, one bearded hen sighting, zero gobbles—still a laugh-filled camp.

Family vibes: kids in the hot tub, the “Ruhlnado,” and the kind of friendship that picks up right where it left off.

Quotables

“You’ve got to enjoy being a little miserable—and love solving problems in the mountains.”

“If you could have three Septembers, it would be perfect.”

“A wreck? That’s when your string leaves a trail of underwear for a mile.”

Links & Mentions

Outdoor Ruhls: outdoorruhls.com

Watch/Listen: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts

Say hi / ideas: OutdoorRuhls@gmail.com

Chapter Guide (adjust to final timestamps)

00:00 Welcome from Emigrant, MT

06:00 Yellowstone friendships → ranch gates & trailheads

16:30 Packing deep dive: Decker vs. sawbuck, manis, strings & wrecks

29:00 Fort Peck boat hunt (+ the blaze-orange life vest)

38:30 Oryx on White Sands: shot placement & pack-out

47:00 Unlimited bighorn: quotas, 3/4-curl, and scouting grind

58:00 Alaska Dall sheep attempt & fjord horses

1:06:00 The Thanksgiving mule deer & turkey humility

1:12:00 Closing: why this valley (and these friends) feel like home

Episode 53: Talkin’ Tangents — A Conversation with Pat Durkin

Show Notes

In this episode of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast, host Mike Ruhl sits down with legendary outdoor writer Pat Durkin for a lively, free-wheeling conversation that covers just about everything from whitetails to wordsmithing. Over the past four decades, Pat has written and edited for some of the biggest names in outdoor media — including Deer & Deer Hunting, Outdoor News, and MeatEater — all while keeping his boots muddy and his stories honest.

True to the name Talkin’ Tangents, this chat zigzags across topics the way a curious hunter roams a November ridge:

• How Pat got his start in outdoor journalism and the mentors who shaped his path

• What he’s learned from a lifetime observing deer — their senses, behavior, and uncanny ability to survive us

• The evolution of outdoor media — from print deadlines and typewriters to digital columns and podcasts

• Conservation ethics, public-land access, and the delicate balance between science and storytelling

• Why humor, humility, and curiosity still matter more than “hot takes” or trophy photos

Along the way, the conversation drifts (in the best Outdoor Ruhls fashion) into side trails about writing discipline, memorable hunts, and the future of hunting culture. Whether you read Pat in the Sunday paper, scroll his MeatEater essays, or simply love thoughtful outdoor conversation, this one’s a keeper.

Episode Highlights

• 00:00 — Intro: Mike sets the scene and welcomes Pat to the campfire.

• 05:30 — From Newsroom to Northwoods: Pat’s early writing days and first big breaks.

• 15:00 — How Deer Think: Sensory biology, research insights, and field observations.

• 25:00 — Story Craft: Turning muddy boots into meaningful sentences.

• 38:00 — Ethics & Access: The state of conservation, hunters, and public lands.

• 50:00 — Rapid-Fire Ruhls: Gear favorites, dream hunts, and one lesson every outdoorsperson should remember.

About Pat Durkin

Pat Durkin is an award-winning outdoor writer and columnist based in Wisconsin. Over a 40-year career, he’s served as editor of Deer & Deer Hunting, contributed to numerous regional newspapers, and written hundreds of essays for MeatEater and other national outlets. Known for blending hard science with everyday woods-wisdom, Pat brings credibility, humor, and humanity to every story he tells.

Connect with Outdoor Ruhls

Follow Outdoor Ruhls on Instagram @outdoorruhls and visit outdoorruhls.com for recipes, travel stories, and new podcast episodes each week.

If you like what you hear, leave us a review, share it with your hunting buddies, and help keep the Outdoor Ruhls conversation rolling.

Outdoor Ruhls Podcast — Episode 52

Title: The Dale Earnhardt of Trout Fishing?

Guests: The Brothers Ruhl — Mike, Matt (“G4”), and Mark

Release: October 2025

Length: ~1:29

Episode summary

A year in, the brothers finally give the mic to the oldest Ruhl: Matt (aka Grant Matthew, G4). From being “mildly radiated” near Three Mile Island to becoming the family’s Dale-Earnhardt-of-reading-water, Matt talks childhood fishing marathons, grandpa lessons (Pop Grant & Pop Bud), Western hunts, the 662-lb Pennsylvania bear, raising four kids, and running a flooring business where the motto is “Safety Third” and “Lunch at 11.” Expect brotherly chirps, heartfelt moments, and our first crack at an official-unofficial Stormy Kromer ad read.

Chapter markers

00:00 Cold open chaos: mics, phones, flux capacitors, and Bieber jokes

04:17 Welcome + why this one’s special (Episode 52 milestone & new listeners)

05:31 Who we are: three brothers, one R-U-H-L

06:32 Matt 101: born ’78, G4 lineage, most athletic, best angler?

09:57 Street hockey, broken leg, and powdered-donut grenade story

11:05 Reading water like draft lines—why Matt “sees” trout lies

13:58 Pop Grant lessons: independence, knife-table mishap, bee-log “situational awareness”

21:38 One of the last days with Pop Grant on the river

23:40 Pop Bud’s camp-cook magic & the “if you want it, he buys it” Nintendo

26:36 High school → waterfowl era; liberal goose limits & decoy arguments

32:07 52 episodes in a year (almost). Why we keep doing this

33:49 Matt drifts from deer… then archery flips the switch

39:24 First archery buck story (early 2000s, likely the new point restrictions year)

45:17 The “whoops at the beginning”: four kids, seven-year head start on the rest of us

52:12 Western hunts: two mule deer, one Montana whitetail

53:19 The bear: 570 field-dressed / ~662 live weight in Pennsylvania

55:57 Passing bucks, hunting with kids; Kaylee’s streak & goals

57:31 Biggest whitetail (Kansas, mid-140s with an inline muzzleloader) + windy fence-row story

1:03:30 What’s left on the list? Moose dreams, snook/tarpon, a true giant bass, halibut redux

1:07:39 Planes are the enemy; road-trip fishing fantasies

1:09:42 Work life: from helper to self-employed flooring pro since 2006

1:13:55 What folks don’t see about being self-employed

1:20:03 Why mounts = memories (and why the memories are about people)

1:24:52 Test ad read: Stormy Kromer (official-unofficial apparel of Outdoor Ruhls)

1:27:54 Closing banter & how to reach us

Notable moments & quotes

“Fight nice, boys.” — Pop Grant’s evergreen coaching tip.

“These five-hour days are killing me.” — Matt, driving home from another grueling shift.

“If you can’t be a good example, be a horrible warning.” — Mike, lovingly, to Matt.

“You can’t shoot a nice buck if you shoot the first buck that walks by.” — Matt’s deer logic.

Bear stats: ~662 lb live-weight Pennsylvania black bear (one and done… so far).

Safety Third / Lunch at 11: The Rules Flooring creed.

Sibling lore: The shoe through the window; the powdered-donut fashion intervention.

Stormy Kromer spot (as read)

“From the deer stand to the high desert, the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast relies on great outdoor gear to keep our stories going. Built for comfort, warmth, and grip when the wind blows, Stormy Kromer has been tested in deer camps, on fishing trips, and family adventures for over a century. Check out Stormy Kromer—the gear that keeps Outdoor Ruhls adventures going.”

Our “official-unofficial” apparel partner.

Gear & tactics mentioned

Archery: Climbers, close-range shot angles, learning wind & bedding the hard way

Rifle/Muzzleloader: Inline muzzleloader setup in Kansas (wind breaks, fence-row ambush)

Fishing: Reading micro-current seams; casting to hockey-puck-sized targets

People & places

Grandpas: Pop Grant (river rat & teacher), Pop Bud (camp cook & gift-giver)

Kids: Grant (’00, working with Matt), Hunter (’04), Addison (’06), Kaylee (’08)

Hunts: PA archery & rifle; Western KS whitetail; MT mule deer/whitetail; PA black bear

Future wish-list: Moose (maybe Newfoundland), snook & tarpon (Florida), trophy bass (El Salto?), halibut again

Takeaways

The trophy is the time together. The mounts are just bookmarks.

Teach kids to fish/hunt by letting them do it—knots, bait, mess and all.

You can build a life you love (even if your company motto is “Safety Third”).

Links & support

Website: outdoorruhls.com

Instagram: @OutdoorRuhls

Email: OutdoorRuhls@gmail.com

Listen & review: Apple Podcasts & Spotify — your ratings genuinely help new folks find us.

Credits

Host: Mike Ruhl

Co-hosts: Mark & Matt Ruhl

Production: Outdoor Ruhls Media (Digital Media Manager: Mark… pending HR review by Matt)

Family Thread- A Stormy Tale

Episode Summary

Mike opens with the long-running campfire bit he’s done for years—reading the story stitched inside his favorite wool cap—and reveals how that hat (a Stormy Kromer) unexpectedly braided into his family’s own story. Joining Mike and Caitlin are Tim “GT” Dodge (co-founder of Hansen Dodge, the agency that helped relaunch the brand) and special guest Bob Jacquart, who revived and now stewards Stormy Kromer from Ironwood, Michigan. Together they trace the cap’s railroad roots, Ida Kromer’s crucial stitch, the Milwaukee relaunch, small-town factory pride, and the way one simple hat keeps showing up in hunting camps, weddings, and meet-cutes. It’s a nesting-dolls episode about craft, community, and family.

Chapters

• 00:21 Intro + Mike’s Yellowstone hat story

• The line inside the brim: who was George “Stormy” Kromer—and why Ida matters

• Bob’s origin story: buying a discontinued product and rebuilding a brand

• From “grandpa’s hat” to 1,700 SKUs: growth, fabrics, and licensing (hello, collegiate caps)

• Factory tours, pasties, and Made-in-Michigan pride

• The Hansen Dodge pivot: naming, story, and trademarking “Stormy Kromer”

• First Lite partnership & the outdoor community

• Family threads: Gina leading the company; heirloom repairs; the church hat vs. work hat

• Field tales: the Rancher-as-rifle-rest mishap, Caitlin’s wolf-program mittens, and one lonely Milk Dud

• Closing thoughts + open invite to tour the Ironwood factory

Guests

• Bob Jacquart — Chairman, Stormy Kromer (Ironwood, MI)

• Tim “GT” Dodge — Co-founder, Hansen Dodge (brand relaunch partner)

• Caitlin Ruhl — Biologist, outdoorswoman, and frequent Outdoor Ruhls co-host

Highlights & Takeaways

• The real hero stitch: Ida Kromer’s modification of a baseball cap for her railroad-engineer husband birthed a century-old cold-weather classic.

• Brand resurrection 101: Story > product > distribution. A local sewing shop + a great narrative + thoughtful trademarking turned a discontinued cap into a thriving American-made brand.

• Community impact: Factory tours, local lunches, and Made-in-Michigan pride keep dollars—and dignity—in small towns.

• Gear that lives a life: From wedding vests to backcountry hunts, SK pieces become family artifacts (and sometimes get bullet-adjacent scorch marks).

Gear & Products Mentioned

• The Original Stormy Kromer Cap (the “hat with the story”)

• The Rancher (Mike’s well-loved, slightly singed version)

• Ida Kromer styles (Caitlin’s go-to, ponytail-friendly)

• Stormy Kromer mittens (work-palm hybrids Caitlin used on wolf surveys)

• First Lite x Stormy Kromer collaboration

Resources & Links

• Stormy Kromer — brand, factory store, and free public tours (Ironwood, MI)

• Hansen Dodge — brand relaunch partner behind the “hat with the story” positioning

• Outdoor Ruhls favorites: caps, mittens, and ranch wear featured in this episode

(Add buy/tour links on your episode page; keep affiliate tags if you use them.)

Pull Quotes

• “I didn’t buy the name at first—I bought a discontinued hat. The story came next.” — Bob

• “There is no Stormy Kromer story without Ida.” — Caitlin

• “A frosty head only looks good on beer.” — classic SK line remembered by Mike

Credits & Contact

Hosted by Mike Ruhl with Caitlin Ruhl and Tim “GT” Dodge. Special thanks to Bob Jacquart and the Stormy Kromer crew in Ironwood.

• Website: OutdoorRuhls.com

• Instagram/Facebook: @outdoorruhls

• Email: OutdoorRuhls@gmail.com

Outdoor Ruhls Podcast — Episode 50

“From Sea to Shining Sea”

Host: Mike Ruhl
Guests/Co-Hosts: Matt Ruhl, Mark Ruhl, and Tim “GT” Dodge

Episode Summary

From the Chesapeake to Alaska to Ontario, the Ruhls recap a whirlwind late-season run of fishing adventures (and misadventures). Mark and Matt debrief a steamy, low-wind week in Cape Charles, VA—including a shredded trailer tire, a bunk falling off, and Matt’s personal-best redfish (~43 lb). GT heads to Alaska’s Alagnak River (ATA Lodge) for silvers, dollies, and rainbows—with fly-outs, bears at arm’s length, and the world’s coldest accidental wader bath. Matt closes with a four-day bass tournament on White Lake, Ontario, winning back-to-back with a mixed bag of smallmouth and largemouth, plus bonus walleye, pike, and a football-size perch. The crew talk salmon species and their many common names, splake (brook × lake trout hybrids), acid-rain recovery lakes, and what’s next: muskies, ice season, and a Cabo billfish Christmas.

Chapter Guide (approx.)

• 00:21 — Welcome + why the “season wrap-up”… wasn’t

• 02:20 — Cape Charles prep: Pro-Line starter fix, Honda water pump delay → Plan B: Poppy/Matt’s 19' Lund

• 07:15 — Highway chaos: tire tread peels, fender skitters, bunk goes bye-bye (zip-tie rescue)

• 12:40 — On-water results: keeper flounder, trout, croaker/whiting/grey trout; tough heat & no wind

• 16:45 — Matt’s PB redfish on artificials (deep water jig bite)

• 21:10 — Sheepshead plans vs. reality; why hot weeks hurt the bite

• 24:00 — Looking ahead: earlier June week for cobia opener

• 28:05 — GT’s Alaska week: Anchorage → King Salmon → ATA Lodge on the Alagnak

• 31:30 — Jet boats, empty river miles, fly-out to the Kulik River (egg patterns for rainbows)

• 35:15 — Salmon crash course: kings/chinook, sockeye/red, coho/silver, pink/humpy, chum/dog

• 38:10 — Bears, brain-bites & roe snacks; GT falls in, still lands the silver

• 42:59 — (Reconnect) Tournament fishing vs. fun fishing: why the pressure is addictive

• 45:00 — Ontario: 4-boat, 4-day derby; big comeback to win by ~3–4 lb

• 48:20 — By-catch highlights: walleye on a popper (!), giant perch, pike; rock bass ≠ green sunfish

• 52:00 — Splake trip in NY; acid-rain recovery and cold-water fisheries

• 56:10 — Musky dreams at Kalaniski (spring invite), fall plans, and Cabo at Christmas

• 59:20 — Teaser: next episode = a special guest from the cold-weather gear world

Notable Catches & Conditions

• Redfish (VA): ~43 lb on 1.5 oz jighead + 5" swimbait; deeper drift bite (~30–40 ft)

• Cape Charles week: extreme heat, minimal wind; inshore variety but picky reds

• Alaska (late Aug): silvers/coho wave mid-week; dollies, rainbows, grayling; sockeye spawning; “jack” kings present

• Ontario derby: tougher bite vs. prior year; more smallmouth weighed, largemouth for day-bigs; won overall by ~3–4 lb

Gear & Techniques Mentioned

• Boats: Pro-Line (Honda outboard: starter & water-pump saga), 19' Lund

• Rigs: Heavy jig + swimbait for reds; egg patterns for Alaskan rainbows; topwater poppers (surprise walleye)

• Logistics: Trailer maintenance—tires, fenders, bunks, lights; lodge fish-boxing vs. DIY cooler game

Species Roll Call

Redfish (red drum), sheepshead, flounder, speckled trout, croaker, whiting, gray (weakfish) trout, all five Pacific salmon (chinook/kings, sockeye/reds, coho/silvers, pink/humpies, chum/dog), rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, grayling, splake (brook × lake trout), smallmouth & largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, rock bass, yellow perch.

Quotables / Episode Vibes

• “Say yes to fishing.” (new shirt idea)

• “Always something with boats.”

• “Tournament days are different—pressure makes it fun.”

• “Why am I standing in a river fishing for dying fish?” (salmon life-cycle perspective)

Looking Ahead

• Cobia goals in late June at Cape Charles (before sharks show up)

• Muskies at Cownanesque Lake (spring)

• Cabo San Lucas over Christmas—billfish + spearfishing curiosity

• Next week’s guest: a heavyweight in cold-weather gear (perfect for ice season fans)

Links & Mentions (for show notes)

• ATA Lodge (Alagnak River, AK)

• Kulik River fly-out (Queens of the egg-drift rainbows)

• White Lake, Ontario (west of Ottawa)

• Cape Charles, VA (Chesapeake Bay bridges/inner bridge)

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Call to Action

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