Outdoor Ruhls

Episode 92: Massive Trout of Patagonia

This episode kicks off with some pre-match nerves — it's World Cup final day, Argentina vs. Spain, and guest Julian Cabral is trying not to jinx anything. Julian, owner of Massive Trout Fly Fishing, joins Mike, Caitlin, and GT to talk soccer, Messi, and Argentina's chances before diving into his background as a fly fishing guide.

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Julian walks through his path into guiding: growing up the youngest of four boys in a hunting-and-fishing family, moving to Bariloche as a teenager, completing Argentina's rigorous guide certification, and eventually starting Massive Trout Fly Fishing after years guiding for another outfitter. He explains what makes Bariloche such a hub for Patagonia travel — Swiss and German architectural influence, a strong tourism infrastructure, and easy access by air from Buenos Aires.

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The conversation moves into what makes Patagonian trout fishing so different from fishing in the U.S.: a strict season (November 1 to June 1) designed to protect spawning fish, genuinely wild trout populations that haven't been restocked in generations, and water clarity that has to be seen to be believed. Mike and GT relive their own float trip on the Rio Limay from years earlier, including a riverside lunch complete with tablecloths, a wood fire, grilled steak, and wine — a small but telling window into a slower, more present pace of life.

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Julian also breaks down his overnight "glamping" float trips (multi-day floats through remote water with full camp support), the split guiding season that lets him work Bariloche in the Southern Hemisphere summer and Casper, Wyoming's North Platte River during the Northern Hemisphere summer, and the cultural rhythms of Argentine life — mate, late dinners, and family time — that shape how a day on the water actually unfolds.

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Topics covered:

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World Cup final predictions (Argentina vs. Spain)

Julian Cabral's background and path into fly fishing guiding

Building Massive Trout Fly Fishing from scratch

Why Bariloche is a gateway to Patagonia

Patagonia's strict, conservation-minded trout season

Wild, never-restocked trout genetics in Patagonian rivers

The Rio Limay float and riverside lunch tradition

Multi-day overnight float/glamping trips

Guiding the North Platte River near Casper, Wyoming

Mate, late dinners, and Argentine family culture

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Guest

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Julian Cabral — Owner and head guide, Massive Trout Fly Fishing, based in Bariloche, Argentina, and Casper, Wyoming. 🌐 www.massivetroutflyfishing.com

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Links

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Massive Trout Fly Fishing: www.massivetroutflyfishing.com

Outdoor Rules Podcast: www.outdoorrules.com

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This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Julian Cabral. Episode 93: Massive Trout of Patagonia, Part 2 continues with Mendoza wine country, a dove hunt in Cordoba, and chasing Golden Dorado in northern Argentina.

Outdoor Rules Podcast

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Episode 92: El Truchador de Patagonia

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Summary

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Mike sits down with Julian Cabral of Massive Trout Fly Fishing on the day of the Argentina-Spain World Cup final, and the conversation turns into a wide-ranging look at Patagonia. Julian shares how he grew up in Bariloche, built his guiding business from the ground up, and why the wild trout fishery on the Rio Limay is unlike anything in the States. Mike, Caitlin, and GT also revisit their own trip to Argentina a decade ago, from the clarity of the water to the unforgettable riverside lunches.

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Show Notes

‍ ‍

This episode kicks off with some pre-match nerves — it's World Cup final day, Argentina vs. Spain, and guest Julian Cabral is trying not to jinx anything. Julian, owner of Massive Trout Fly Fishing, joins Mike, Caitlin, and GT to talk soccer, Messi, and Argentina's chances before diving into his background as a fly fishing guide.

‍ ‍

Julian walks through his path into guiding: growing up the youngest of four boys in a hunting-and-fishing family, moving to Bariloche as a teenager, completing Argentina's rigorous guide certification, and eventually starting Massive Trout Fly Fishing after years guiding for another outfitter. He explains what makes Bariloche such a hub for Patagonia travel — Swiss and German architectural influence, a strong tourism infrastructure, and easy access by air from Buenos Aires.

‍ ‍

The conversation moves into what makes Patagonian trout fishing so different from fishing in the U.S.: a strict season (November 1 to June 1) designed to protect spawning fish, genuinely wild trout populations that haven't been restocked in generations, and water clarity that has to be seen to be believed. Mike and GT relive their own float trip on the Rio Limay from years earlier, including a riverside lunch complete with tablecloths, a wood fire, grilled steak, and wine — a small but telling window into a slower, more present pace of life.

‍ ‍

Julian also breaks down his overnight "glamping" float trips (multi-day floats through remote water with full camp support), the split guiding season that lets him work Bariloche in the Southern Hemisphere summer and Casper, Wyoming's North Platte River during the Northern Hemisphere summer, and the cultural rhythms of Argentine life — mate, late dinners, and family time — that shape how a day on the water actually unfolds.

‍ ‍

Topics covered:

‍ ‍

World Cup final predictions (Argentina vs. Spain)

Julian Cabral's background and path into fly fishing guiding

Building Massive Trout Fly Fishing from scratch

Why Bariloche is a gateway to Patagonia

Patagonia's strict, conservation-minded trout season

Wild, never-restocked trout genetics in Patagonian rivers

The Rio Limay float and riverside lunch tradition

Multi-day overnight float/glamping trips

Guiding the North Platte River near Casper, Wyoming

Mate, late dinners, and Argentine family culture

‍ ‍

Guest

‍ ‍

Julian Cabral — Owner and head guide, Massive Trout Fly Fishing, based in Bariloche, Argentina, and Casper, Wyoming. 🌐 www.massivetroutflyfishing.com

‍ ‍

Links

‍ ‍

Massive Trout Fly Fishing: www.massivetroutflyfishing.com

Outdoor Rules Podcast: www.outdoorruhls.com

‍ ‍

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Julian Cabral. Episode 93: El Truchador de Patagonia, Part 2 continues with Mendoza wine country, a dove hunt in Cordoba, and chasing Golden Dorado in northern Argentina.

Episode 91: Bad Boating Behavior

If you've spent much time around a boat ramp, you've probably seen it all—or at least thought you had. This week, Mike is joined by Poppy and Matt to swap stories about inconsiderate boaters, crowded ramps, no-wake zones, forgotten drain plugs, trailer mishaps, and a few family boating adventures that still make them laugh years later.

From lessons learned on Delaware Bay and Lake Ontario to near misses on highways and at the launch ramp, the conversation is equal parts funny, nostalgic, and practical. Whether you're an experienced boater or just getting started, this episode is full of stories that might save you a little frustration—and maybe even keep your next day on the water from becoming someone else's campfire story.

As always, thanks for listening! Visit us at www.outdoorruhls.com for all of our episodes and content. Follow us on social media @outdoorruhls, and if you have comments, questions, story ideas, or just want to say hello, send us an email at [email protected].

Episode 90: Unscheduled Landings (Revisited)

Before we dive into next week's brand-new episode, we thought it would be fun to bring back one of our favorite story episodes.

Join Poppy, Matt, Mark, and Mike as they swap stories about unexpected flights, abrupt transitions from water to land, and a few outdoor adventures that didn't exactly go according to plan. Like most good campfire stories, these are the kinds of memories that are a lot funnier now than they were at the time.

We're re-running this episode because next week we'll be talking about bad boating behavior—from boat ramp etiquette to some of the head-scratching things we've all seen people do on the water. It'll be a fun conversation with plenty of stories, laughs, and maybe a few lessons along the way.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to visit us at www.outdoorruhls.com for all of our episodes and content. Follow us on social media @outdoorruhls, and if you have comments, questions, story ideas, or just want to say hello, send us an email at [email protected].

We appreciate you listening, and we'll see you next week!

Episode 89: One Fish, Two Fish, Redfish, Cobia

Hosts: Mike Ruhl, Mark Ruhl, Caitlin Ruhl, and Rachel Ruhl

This week, the Outdoor Ruhls gather around the table on the final morning of their annual Chesapeake Bay family fishing trip to recap an unforgettable week in Cape Charles, Virginia. From boat logistics and rough seas to beach house life and family memories, they share the highs, lows, and laughs that always seem to come with a week on the water.

The conversation dives into why the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is such a unique fishery, how they target species like flounder, sheepshead, bluefish, and black sea bass, and what makes this incredible stretch of water one of their favorite places to fish each summer. They also recount battling tough conditions, searching for elusive sheepshead, chasing bluefish when the bite got slow, and adding a few new species to the family list—including the cobia that inspired this episode's title.

Along the way, you'll hear stories about forgotten gear, finding boat parking at the last minute, Hunter's unfortunate encounter with saltwater and his iPhone, Rachel's cast-net adventures, and why family vacations are always a little "beautifully chaotic." If you've ever planned a fishing trip that didn't go exactly as expected—but somehow turned into one of your favorite memories—you'll feel right at home.

Learn more and connect with us:

Website: https://www.outdoorruhls.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorruhls
Email: [email protected]

Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share the podcast with someone who loves the outdoors.

Episode 88: Outdoor Dads

Father's Day provided the perfect excuse to catch up with Seth Morris and talk about the role the outdoors plays in fatherhood. Seth joins Mike and Mark for a wide-ranging conversation covering life in Montana, his connection to MeatEater, becoming a new father, and raising his son Virgil in a world filled with fishing rods, hunting stories, and outdoor adventures.

The conversation bounces from a scorching June oryx hunt shared by Mike and Seth to discussions about woodsmanship, learning to pay attention to the little details outdoors, and the lessons that hunting and fishing can teach. Seth shares stories about introducing a young child to the outdoors, while Mike reflects on the traditions and opportunities his own father provided growing up.

The episode wraps with a deeper discussion about what fathers really pass on to their children. While hunting is the backdrop for much of the conversation, the focus is ultimately on connection, community, and creating meaningful relationships. Whether those bonds are formed through hunting, music, sports, art, or something else entirely, the goal is the same: finding a way to connect with the people who matter most.

Guests: Seth Morris, Mike Ruhl, and Mark Ruhl

Links & Resources

Website: www.outdoorruhls.com

Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Email: [email protected]

Kelsey Rae Artworks: www.kraeartworks.com

Episode 87: More Than Inches

This week on Outdoor Ruhls, Mike, Caitlin, and GT are joined by special guest Nicole Tatman, an official Boone & Crockett measurer, for a conversation that goes far beyond antler measurements. Nicole helps explain the history and purpose of Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young, while the group explores why these organizations were founded and how their conservation missions remain relevant today.

The discussion covers the roots of North American wildlife conservation, the influence of Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell, and how Pope & Young carried those same principles into the world of bowhunting. Nicole shares her journey to becoming an official measurer and offers an inside look at how the measuring process works, from drying periods to final measurements.

Of course, the conversation also turns to Caitlin's remarkable public-land archery elk. The group walks through the measuring process, discusses what the final numbers really mean, and explores common misconceptions about record-book animals. Along the way, they examine fair chase ethics, the role of records programs in conservation, and how healthy wildlife populations are reflected in the animals they produce.

Finally, the episode looks at just how uncommon it is for a woman to harvest a Pope & Young-class elk of this caliber, placing Caitlin's accomplishment into a broader historical and conservation context. More than a discussion about inches and score sheets, this episode highlights the connection between hunting, wildlife conservation, and the stewardship that makes these opportunities possible.

Topics Covered:

The history of Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young

Theodore Roosevelt, George Bird Grinnell, Saxton Pope, and Arthur Young

Why wildlife records programs exist

Becoming an official Boone & Crockett measurer

Fair chase and conservation ethics

How elk measuring works

Caitlin's elk and its final score

Women in bowhunting and record-book elk

Why conservation—not trophies—is the real story behind the inches

For questions, comments, or future show ideas, contact us at [email protected], visit outdoorruhls.com, or follow us on Instagram @outdoorruhls. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with your friends and family.

Episode 86: Mountain Hollow Review

Turkey season is in the books, and Mike welcomes Jeremy Cressley of Mountain Hollow Game Calls back to the podcast for a post-season recap. The two compare notes on a challenging spring, including Jeremy’s Osceola turkey hunt in Florida, encounters with rattlesnakes and swamps on public land, and Mike’s frustratingly dry New Mexico season that featured plenty of gobbling but very few cooperative birds. Along the way, they discuss public-land hunting pressure, turkey behavior, changing hen-to-gobbler dynamics, and why some seasons seem to humble even experienced hunters.

The conversation also dives into modern turkey gear, including the pros and cons of TSS ammunition, calling strategies, and the realities of hunting birds that simply refuse to play by the script. Jeremy shares updates on Mountain Hollow’s growing YouTube content and travel plans, while Mike and Jeremy begin laying the groundwork for a future New Mexico Merriam’s turkey hunt—and maybe even a custom Outdoor Ruhls turkey call.

As always, the discussion goes beyond harvesting birds and explores why turkey hunters keep coming back season after season, even when the turkeys win.

Mountain Hollow Game Calls: https://mountainhollowgamecalls.com

Mountain Hollow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mountainhollowgamecalls3537

Find all of our content at www.outdoorruhls.com

Follow us on Instagram: @outdoorruhls

Email the show: [email protected]

Episode 85: Have You Learned Anything?

In this special birthday episode of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast, Caitlin takes over hosting duties to interview Mike on the morning after his 46th birthday. The conversation explores what life has taught him through family, fatherhood, conservation work, hunting, fishing, and simply getting older. From raising kids as an older dad to lessons learned through decades in the outdoors, Mike reflects on what matters most and how his perspective has changed over time.

The discussion touches on favorite outdoor memories, the influence of family traditions, lessons passed down from parents and mentors, and what Mike hopes Robert and Emmit will carry forward into their own lives. Along the way, he shares thoughts on leadership, mistakes, humility, gratitude, and why experience often teaches you how much you still have left to learn.

There are stories from Yellowstone, Montana, family fishing trips, youth sports, hunting camps, and life in New Mexico, all woven together into a conversation about growing older, appreciating the people around you, and making the most of the time you're given. Whether you're in your twenties or your sixties, this episode is a reminder that learning never stops.

Connect with Outdoor Ruhls:

🌐 Website: www.outdoorruhls.com
📸 Instagram: @outdoorruhls
📧 Email: [email protected]
📘 Facebook: Outdoor Ruhls

Thanks for listening to another episode of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast. If you enjoy the show, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and reach out—we'd love to hear from you.

Episode 84: Ole Bull Memories

On this Memorial Day episode of the Outdoor Ruhls Podcast, Mike, Mark, and Caitlin reflect on family traditions, trout fishing, and growing up around one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved state parks — Ole Bull State Park along Kettle Creek. The conversation wanders through childhood memories of Deer Camp, feeding giant trout below the dam, fishing the kids-only section at Ole Bull, and the legendary story of young Mark and cousin Liz getting caught completely naked in the sandbox while Pop Grant “closed his eyes for just a minute.”

The crew also dives into the fascinating history of Ole Bull himself — the world-famous Norwegian violinist who attempted to establish a Norwegian colony in Potter County in the 1850s — along with stories about the Austin Dam disaster, longtime camp neighbors, Pennsylvania trout culture, and the unique character of north-central Pennsylvania. Along the way, they swap fishing stories from the weekend, discuss braided line disasters, Cape Charles cobia plans, blue crabs, sheephead recipes, and why some fish are simply better eaten fresh from the creek.

As always, the episode is packed with family stories, outdoor nostalgia, and the kind of conversations that happen when generations grow up around Deer Camp, trout streams, and campfires.

Website: www.outdoorruhls.com
Instagram: @outdoorruhls
Email address: [email protected]