Outdoor Ruhls

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 — in...

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 tal...

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 Ja...

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...

Episode 49 — It’s Only Gotta Work Once, Part 2 Show Summary Storms, charcuterie, morale swings, and the relentless patience of a backcountry elk hunt. In Part 2, the crew recounts the second half of Caitlin’s season—highlighted by multiple bulls charging the wallow, tense full-draw standoffs, and finally, the encounter that brought it all together. From ethics and shot discipline to a gritty pack-...

Episode 48 — It’s Only Gotta Work Once, Part 1 Show Summary Draw lightning striking twice, rain jackets left on couches, vacuum-sealed underwear, and wallows hidden deep in the timber—this is the setup for Caitlin’s second consecutive New Mexico elk tag. In Part 1, Mike, Caitlin, Hunter, and Jeremy take listeners through the opening days: the long overnight drive, grumpy mornings, blown stalks, sw...

Episode 47: Hell on Wheels From scraped knees to full-send disasters, the Ruhls (and friends) swap their best and worst bicycle wreck stories. This one’s all about gravel rash, handlebars to the ribs, stitches, e-bikes gone wrong, and even a runaway motorcycle. Highlights Mike’s solo crash – A pool bag in the spokes = upside-down in a gravel alley. Robert’s rite of passage – A sharp turn, a topple...

Episode 46: The Hunt Begins! Mike kicks off hunting season with Caitlin and Matt: GT is flying home from Alaska, Matt’s packing for Canadian bass, and Caitlin is (somehow!) holding another unbelievable New Mexico elk tag—archery opens tomorrow. The crew previews plans, tactics, gear, kids-in-the-woods logistics, and a little fishing season wrap-up to boot. Highlights Matt’s Canada run: Driving 8–9...

Episode 45: The Googans’ Return The Norway Tetralogy comes to a close! Mike, GT, Poppy, and Caitlin reunite stateside to reflect on the trip of a lifetime, from puffins in Iceland to halibut in Sorøya. This episode ties it all together—what worked, what didn’t, what they’d do differently, and whether hauling fish halfway across the world was really worth it. Highlights: Iceland revisited – Puffins...

Episode 44: So Long Sørøya Mike Ruhl, Jacob (Camp Halibut Guide), Nate Weise, Neil McCullum, GT Join Mike on the final days of his Northern Norway adventure at Camp Halibut! This episode kicks off with an in-depth interview with Jacob, one of the guides who helped make the week unforgettable. Later, Mike sits down with Nate, Neil, and GT to share stories, reflections, and hard-earned lessons from...

Episode 43: Fiske, Endelig (Fishing, Finally)! Mike Ruhl, Zach Klein, Poppy, Robert In this episode, we kick off the Norway fishing adventures at Camp Halibut on Sørøya Island, deep in the Arctic Circle. Mike is joined by first-time guest Zach Klein, along with Poppy and Robert, as they recount their experiences fishing for a variety of species in this unique and remote location. Topics Discussed:...

🎙️ Episode 42 – Chasing the Midnight Sun Guests: Poppy, GT, and Robert Host: Mike Ruhl Length: ~90 minutes Recorded in: Reykjavik, Iceland & Tromsø, Norway In this jam-packed kickoff to the "Norway Adventure" trilogy, Mike, his son Robert, Poppy, and GT set off on a multi-generational journey across Iceland and Norway in pursuit of puffins, pastries, and (eventually) halibut. 🛫 TRIP ORIGINS:...

Episode 41: Joeski, Part 2 – What Doesn’t Kill You Guest: Joe Skorupski Host: Mike Ruhl Description: In Part 2 of this conversation, the story continues from the Alaskan wilderness... but quickly turns in an unexpected and deeply personal direction. Not long after returning from one of the greatest hunts of his life, Joe began a battle that nearly cost him everything. What follows is a raw and emo...

Episode 40: Joeski, Part 1 – From Fly Rods to Float Planes Guest: Joe Skorupski Host: Mike Ruhl Description: In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Mike sits down with longtime friend and fisheries biologist Joe Skorupski for a conversation that spans decades of friendship, public lands work, and unforgettable hunts. From their first meeting in Yellowstone National Park to shared river time in Montan...

Episode 37: A Pair of Bassholes Guest: Bob Bridges Hosts: Mark & Matt Ruhl Theme: Bass fishing stories, unforgettable trips, and a lifetime of laughs In this episode, longtime friend and die-hard bass angler Bob Bridges joins Matt and Mark Ruhl to share decades of stories from the water. From childhood fishing memories in Texas to legendary boat trips across Pennsylvania, New York, and Canada,...

🎣 Episode 37 – “The Bass Bug: From Snitz Creek to the Bassmaster Open” Mark, Matt, & Mike Special guest: Matt Goudie (@mgoudie1756) Overview: In this special bass-centric episode, Mark introduces his oldest fishing friend, Matt Goudie, for a deep dive into lifelong fishing memories, bass boat obsessions, and tournament prep. From catching sunfish with cigarette butts to prepping for the Bassm...

🎣 Outdoor Ruhls Podcast – Episode 36: “From Pickled Pike to Po' Boys” Guests: Rachel, Mark, Caitlin Host: Mike Ruhl Summary: In this deliciously detailed episode, Mike is joined by Rachel, Mark, and Caitlin to talk about one of the Ruhls’ favorite topics: fish and food. The crew recaps rainy days at deer camp, trout fishing adventures with their kids, and plans for their upcoming trip to Cape Cha...

🎙️ Episode 35: For Better or For Worse? Description: On the eve of their 13th wedding anniversary, Mike and Caitlin sit down for a candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation about what they've learned from marriage—especially in the context of outdoor adventures. From backcountry days in Yellowstone to an epic (and slightly disastrous) fishing trip for golden dorado in Argentina, they reflect on ho...

Episode 34: Why Did the Beaver Cross the Road? Guest: Ben Goldfarb, award-winning environmental journalist and author Hosts: Mike and Caitlin Ruhl Duration: ~1 hour 10 minutes 🦫 Episode Summary: This week’s episode of Outdoor Ruhls brings together old friends for a heartfelt and fascinating conversation about fish, fieldwork, writing, and the creatures that shape our landscapes. Mike and Caitlin...

Episode Summary: Mike sits down with his brothers Mark and Matt for a spring catch-up covering all things Outdoor Ruhls. They swap stories about this year’s turkey season—Mike’s morning in the woods with Caitlin, close calls with Poppy, and the joys and struggles of chasing thunder chickens. Mark breaks down his spring bass trips to North Carolina and northern PA, shares thoughts on lure selection...

Title: Mid-Mike; a middle brother in middle age Release Date: June 2025 Length: ~1 hour 17 minutes Guests: Mark Ruhl (Host), Mike Ruhl (Guest) Description: In a special birthday edition of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast, Mark turns the tables and interviews Mike on the occasion of his 45th birthday. This in-depth conversation traces Mike’s journey from growing up the middle Ruhl brother in Pennsylvania...

Outdoor Ruhls Podcast — Episode 31: “Kids Ruhl” 📍 Released: May 27, 2025 Show Notes: This heartwarming and adventurous episode of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast is all about the kids who make our outdoor lives even more meaningful. Titled “Kids Ruhl,” it’s a multi-chapter celebration of the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts—recorded over the past several months and released just after Memorial Da...

Episode 30: From Potato Punishment to Poultry Fraud Description: Recorded at deer camp, this unforgettable conversation brings together Poppy, Mark, and the last two living brothers of a remarkable generation—Uncle Sim and Uncle Dick. They recount stories of growing up on a sharecropping farm in Rexmont, Pennsylvania during the Great Depression, raising chickens, canning vegetables, share-farming...

Episode 29 – Third Time’s a Charm Guest: Hunter Ruhl Host: Mike Ruhl Location: Outdoor Ruhls West Studio, Santa Fe, NM 🔍 Episode Summary: In this family-packed episode, Mike sits down with his nephew Hunter Ruhl—Matt’s youngest son—for a wide-ranging conversation about college, fisheries work, and a wild three-day turkey hunting adventure that truly lives up to the episode’s name: Third Time’s a...

Summary: In this episode, Mike sits down with his son Robert—along with Poppy and GT—to share the story behind their upcoming multi-generational fishing trip to Norway. What started as a father-son moment watching Outdoor Boys on YouTube turned into a once-in-a-lifetime halibut fishing expedition to far northern Norway’s Camp Halibut, just above the Arctic Circle. The crew discusses past halibut t...