Episode Details

Outdoor Ruhls Podcast – Episode 20: The Water Thief Guest: GT (Caitlin’s Dad, Tim) Hosts: Mike Ruhl & Caitlin Ruhl Episode Highlights: * New Territory for Outdoor Ruhls – This episode marks a milestone: the first attempt at video recording for the podcast, expanding to YouTube while maintaining releases on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. * Meet GT – Finally introducing a long-anticipated guest, Caitlin’s dad, Tim, also known as GT. GT brings a unique perspective, growing up in suburban Chicago, far from the outdoor traditions of the Ruhl family. * GT’s Early Life – Growing up in a crowded suburban neighborhood, sharing a bed until age 14, and exploring outdoor spaces between residential lots. How a drainage pond and a childhood spent outside shaped his love for fishing. * Fishing Origins – From his first Ron Popeil Pocket Fisherman to fishing in suburban ponds and catching carp and sunfish. The influence of his 90-year-old neighbor, Gay Coffin, in teaching him fishing and knife sharpening. * Family Roots in the Outdoors – Despite a suburban upbringing, GT’s family owned property in Carbondale, PA, introducing him to true wilderness. Summers spent fishing, canoeing, and building a family cottage from scratch instilled a deep appreciation for outdoor experiences. * Meeting Caitlin’s Mom (Niecy) – The story of how photography led GT to notice his future wife, their college years, and how he managed to introduce a non-camper to the outdoors (to a certain extent). * Camping and Fishing with Kids – GT’s approach to getting his children, including Caitlin, into outdoor activities despite not growing up with those traditions himself. From backyard camping to portaging canoes in the Sylvania Wilderness, fostering a love for adventure and nature. * The Infamous ‘Water Heist’ – A legendary camping blunder: forgetting to bring drinking water on a remote trip and borrowing (stealing?) water from an unoccupied campsite. * Career in Outdoor Branding – GT’s journey into the marketing world, starting Hansen Dodge, a firm that focused on active lifestyle brands, including Trek Bicycles, Thule, Burton Snowboards, Wilson Sporting Goods, Keen Footwear, Minn Kota, and more. * Fishing Evolves to Fly Fishing – How GT was introduced to fly fishing, leading to adventures in Mexico, Belize, and the Bahamas, and his eventual philosophical (and comedic) take on the quirks of saltwater fly fishing. * Transition to Hunting – Despite no early exposure, GT eventually took up bird hunting, leading to a lifelong pursuit of outdoor experiences. Later, he followed Caitlin and Mike into big-game hunting, culminating in successful deer and oryx hunts. * Adventures with Family – Reflections on the power of outdoor experiences in strengthening family bonds. From camping with kids to catching his first turkey with grandson Robert watching, GT shares how the outdoors has become a core part of his life. * Upcoming Norway Trip – The crew’s next big adventure: a multi-generational fishing trip to Norway, including stops in Iceland and Oslo before heading north for deep-sea fishing in Havsvik. * Future Outdoor Goals – GT’s bucket list includes hunting elk, fishing in New Zealand, and another fly-in fishing trip to northern Canada to chase 50-inch muskies. Mentions & References: * Brands GT has worked with: Trek Bicycles, Thule, Burton Snowboards, Wilson Sporting Goods, Keen Footwear, Minn Kota, Stormy Kromer, ScentLok, and more. * Past Podcast Episodes Mentioned: o Romancing the Spam (Caitlin’s Outdoor Story) o Three Mile Island Fishing o The Crossbow Killer: Saga of the Wide 7 o Girls Ruhl o Ice Fish