Believe it or not, the guy behind Axeman.ca isn’t just about axes. I know some people find that hard to believe, but I’ve got a few hobbies that go beyond chopping wood.

Just the other day, I was out on the ocean fishing for Coho and Spring salmon. The water was calm and the fishing was the best I’ve experienced in years. Most of the fish biting were Coho, but we did land one small Spring, or Chinook as some people call them. Altogether, we caught about 25 fish in the 5 to 8 pound range. That’s not bad at all for this time of year.

We were trolling between 57 and 150 feet, running the classic white hoochie on one line and the new Gibbs Skinny G in the Herring Aid pattern on the other. To top it off, we were surrounded by humpback whales all day. These massive animals are something else. We gave them plenty of space as we worked the area off Gabriola Island called Thrasher Rock. Looking out over the water, it felt like you could see whales in every direction. By the end of the day, we were cooked by the sun but full of stories and fresh fish. It was one to remember.

A Truck Worth Turning Heads

Another hobby I’ve gotten into is restoring an old pickup with my son. For years, we watched a 1966 F250 4x4 sit in a neighbour’s yard. One day, he agreed to sell it. Now it’s ours, and we’ve been slowly bringing it back to life.

The truck runs a Ford 300 inline-six. It won’t win any races, but it’s easy to work on and tough as nails. I’m no mechanic, but this truck makes it possible to learn as I go. It’s a beast in the bush and climbs over anything we throw at it. We’ve still got a bit of work to do, including painting the box, but she already turns heads wherever she goes. It might not be perfect, but it makes one heck of an Axeman delivery rig.

Life on the Farm

My wife and kids are the heart of our little farm, so that makes it one of my hobbies too. According to my wife, we have 30 Nigerian Dwarf goats. Personally, I think she’s undercounting. Add in two horses, some chickens, and a couple of rabbits, and it’s a full-time operation. You can follow the fun over at Country Oak Acres on Facebook.

My main job? Free labour. That includes fence repairs, moving hay, and a generous amount of poop shovelling.

Escaping to the Cariboo

We also head up to the Cariboo region when we can, usually to Green Lake near 70 Mile House. That’s where I go to reset — away from phones, emails, and all the noise. Whether I’m riding the ATV, hiking through the bush, or casting a line in the lake, it’s the kind of peace you just can’t buy.

Of course, for the tax man, this is all product testing. So yes, I do write those trips off.

This might not be your typical blog from Axeman.ca, but it’s all part of what makes the Axeman tick. Whether it's fishing, rebuilding old trucks, chasing goats, or cutting trails through the bush, it all connects back to the tools and gear we use — and the life we live.

Happy chopping. See you out there.