Outdoors Guy L.O.L. is an introduction to the Outdoors and features articles on the subjects of Camping, Fishing, and Survival. It covers a wide variety of topics. It is intended to give the reader extensive, PRACTICAL and immediately useable knowledge, strategies and techniques. It focuses on safety, pro-active planning with a view to prevention of emergency situations which could have been avoided, and information about how to respond in a prepared, informed, and confident manner should outdoors challenges arise. Part of the practicality of the book concerns the ability to improvise- how to use what the environment has to offer in creating shelters, choosing sites which offer advantages for setting up emergency camps, and how to use simple materials to create tools for use in cooking, gathering water, weather-proofing shelters, keeping warm, crafting furniture and setting up complete campsites with improvised materials. Hiking and canoe trips are highlighted with advice on preparation and intelligent balancing of weight and available space. Advice for care and storage of camping equipment is included. The major focus for Camping is Improvisation- how to create what you need. The book is not intended for campers who use large Campers and mobile homes. It definitely leans towards campers who "rough it" in the wild. Thus 3 articles give suggestions for how to improvise, followed by how to scavenge for materials that can be used in a variety of situations and practical ways- to how to set up an entire camp (if need be) with scavenged materials- to completely "furnish" a camp with a makeshift stove, washing machine, cooler, shower, heater, bed, chairs/benches, and storage. The Fishing section offers information and strategies for choosing equipment and lures, explains seasonal movements of fish and structure/cover they relate to (where to find fish depending on time of day and season), techniques used for pike, walleyes, Small and Large Mouth Bass, Stream Trout, Carp, Salmon, Rainbow and Brown Trout during migration, Panfish. Practical advice for Tackle Care is outlined in one article. There is a special article on Ice Fishing which features preparation and safety considerations and precautions which must be taken given extreme weather. Extensive information is given regarding rods, reels, line, and terminal tackle appropriate to each species of fish and a wide variety of specific fishing situations. There is a detailed description of fly-fishing and Bait Casting. This section covers broad spectrum of species, specialized techniques, equipment, and numerous tips to improve fishing success. The Survival section addresses mental and emotional aspects of Survival necessary to maintain clear thinking- essential to any survival situation. It outlines essential steps which every traveler MUST take to be pro-active. The section outlines strategies which have to happen to assess, prioritize, plan, set immediate and longer range goals for survival. The next section involves essential gear. The following articles show how to use simple materials to set up a shelter, gather and purify water, create fire, keep warm, navigate using Sun, Moon, and Stars, Signal, and Communicate. There is considerable information on how to plan and pack for longer hikes and journeys. The book prioritizes safety and gives suggestions for handling injuries and managing scenes. The emphasis is always on safety first. There are articles on snow shelters, canoe shelters, and numerous uses for tarps- from shelters to lean-to's to shades, to improvised sleeping bags. Suggestions are given for keeping warm, dry, hydrated, protected from insects, sun and heat exhaustion, cold, wind, rain. *There are illustrations throughout the book to show how to use found materials, fishing equipment, and natural materials effectively. The book ends with a Personal note on my own outdoors experiences and the valuable lessons I've learned from them. Photos are included.
About the Author: Bob Purnell lives in Burlington, ON. He is married with 5 children and an expanding number of grand-children. Bob taught for 33 years- 25 of those years teaching Grades 7 & 8. Bob holds a First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a Second Degree Black Belt in Wado Kai Karate. Bob operated his own Disc Jockey Business, "Courtesy Disc Jockey Service" for 15 years and now DJ's as a hobby. Retired now from teaching, Bob volunteers at his last school helping the kids with their homework, refereeing Volleyball and Basketball and playing music for special occasions. Bob is the monthly columnist, "Outdoors Guy" for "Great North Arrow", a cottage country newspaper. He writes articles on Camping, Hunting and Fishing. Bob spends time in the outdoors trying new ideas and doing volunteer work. He loves music, chess, reading, amd of course, camping, fishing, and outdoor adventures.