If it's not Rugged it's not on this website!
At least in Ontario, there seems to be more and more regulations every year. And, many pertain to certain lakes, let alone certain areas. I’m not a goddam walking computer and believe me, I know most of the laws, but not all of them! To avoid any possible “I think this is okay” situations, carry the “regs book” with you, either in your boat, or in your fishing vest. This will save you some head scratching and also, possibly a [Read More]
If you are possibly, sort of, kind of, maybe even thinking about booking a fishing or hunting trip to a lodge or outpost camp… or even a simple day-trip with a guide, RD’s new book is for you!
Written over five years by the Rugged Dude, this 217 page book tells it like it really is. After having been on more 200 fishing or hunting trips all across Canada, RD knows what can go right on a “Trip of a Lifetime,” and what can go horribly wrong on a “trip to hell and back.” Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned veteran of Canadian fishing or hunting trips, this book could save you incredible hassle, stress and even a financial nightmare.
Guiding is a great career… for the right people. You need a lot of patience, no doubt. And, you really need to have a genuine interest in people. You have to like people. Of all the hundreds of guides I’ve worked with, the best ones always, were the ones who were fun to be around for a few days. It’s a “people business.” Many guides believe they are good guides because they know a lot about hunting and fishing. That’s [Read More]
One of the best ways to learn how to cook is by not using recipes. Of course, when you’re trying something new, you’ll want to at least refer to the recipe. I mean, you have to know what’s in it right? But, once you know basically how the dish goes, what’s in it, stop measuring every little thing that goes into the dish. If you’re making gravy, just make the damn gravy. Stop worrying about all the technical stuff. You [Read More]
Yes, I know… one could read a whole book on this subject. But, I have a quick suggestion if you are thinking about trying fly fishing for the first time. Or, if you’ve already tried fly fishing for trout in a creek or river and had a hell of a time getting hooked up and tangled in trees, branches or on the bank. Smallmouth bass will take a fly almost any time. I caught my first “fly rod fish” when [Read More]
Generally speaking, in the culinary world, there are five main “Mother Sauces,” also known as “Leading Sauces.” From these five, literally hundreds and hundreds of other sauces are made. They all start with one of those first five. For example, one of the Mother Sauces is the simple Brown Sauce, sometimes called the Espagnole Sauce. It’s the first step in making a demi-glaze, which is really just a much reduced, super-concentrated Brown Sauce. Once it is made, many others, like the Bordelaise Sauce [Read More]
Let’s get right to the point. The worst thing that could possibly happen while you are guiding is one of your guests gets injured or killed. That’s right, I said killed. Don’t sluff it off, it happens. Drowning is more common than you might think and in nearly all cases the victims were found not wearing a personal floatation device or “PFD.” In the old days we called them life jackets. Call it what you like, it’s a device that [Read More]
Back in 2010, I started building an off-grid house, way the hell back in the woods, 35 miles west of Thunder Bay, Ontario. This was a very good hunting and fishing area and it wasn’t unusual to wake up in the morning, look out my window and see deer, moose or black bear, along with a wide assortment of smaller critters like porcupines, pine marten, coyotes, wolves and squirrels. I even saw some drunk dude wandering across my back yard [Read More]
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Chapter 2: Employment Opportunities
Chapter 3: Tips For Guiding Big Game Hunters
Chapter 4: Tips For Guiding Fishermen
Chapter 5: Providing An Excellent Wilderness Vacation
Chapter 6: Tree Stand Safety
Chapter 7: Work Hard And You’ll Be Rewarded
Chapter 8: Let’s Talk About The Food
Chapter 9: Guides Must Know The Laws
Chapter 10: Make Sure They Respect Your Rights
Chapter 11: Navigation – Finding Your Way
Chapter 12: Safety Is Number One
Chapter 13: Be Your Own Boss
Chapter 14: Finding That Guiding Job
“Me and my ultra-rugged fishing buddy, Mike (Plexy) Plexman with a juicy Ogoki River walleye. (Mattice Lake Outfitters)” I don’t know how many walleyes I’ve caught in my life. Thousands and thousands, I’m sure. And, the vast majority of them were caught somewhere in northwestern Ontario, deep in the Canadian Shield, north of Thunder Bay. I’m not sure how many walleyes I eaten in my life. Not thousands… but, hundreds? Damn straight, Jack! My preferred fly-in fishing trip is to [Read More]
