Who we are: Ragnar Wesstrom
Ragnar Wesstrom sits in a high school gymnasium, surrounded by photos of Hagglunds. An ex-marine-turned-backwoods tycoon, he’s a retailer for the tracked military vehicles, imported straight from his homeland of Sweden. They’re like little juggernauts – unstoppable, fully amphibious, with power steering and a Mercedes Benz engine. For $60,000 you can get the base model. Pimped-out versions cost up to $350,000.
It sounds crazy, a Northern landscape crawling with miniature tanks. But Wesstrom, who uses one to chug the 30 kilometres between Yellowknife and his real business, Trout Rock Lodge, believes they’re the answer. “I’m a Haggoholic. I’m serious. They’re my babies. They go anywhere. Nothing stops them,” he says with a Swedish lilt. His own personal land-crawler is decked out with satellite radio, drink-holders, ashtrays and a personalized licence plate.
It’s the annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum, and as Wesstrom sits here, relaxed in a blue plaid shirt and Trout Rock jacket, with a black Hagglunds cap on his head, he looks like what he is: one of the North’s shrewdest, most eccentric businessmen.
The phrase “only in the North” is overused, but in Wesstrom’s case, it fits. Known as a rambunctious drinker, smoker, talker and self-promoter, Wesstrom came to the Northwest Territories to fish, but then fell in love – with the place, and with his future wife. Only here could a man so rowdy and rough-around-the-edges build one of Canada’s most successful tourism businesses with his bare hands. Of course, he says, flashing a yellowed grin, it helps that his lodge has the best Pike fishing in the world.
When Wesstrom turned 16, he enlisted in the Swedish marines. As a young boy growing up outside Stockholm, he was keen to see the world. The armed forces, he figured, would be a solid way to do it. “Being on the ship, it’s a good school. You learn responsibility and discipline,” he says. “And then, on the downside, you learn how to drink.”
He sailed around the world, all over Europe, the Philippines, Japan, America. He calls it the best time of his life. And, on nights when he wasn’t hitting the bottle, he was curled in his bunk, reading Jack London. One book had a map of Great Bear and Great Slave lakes, in the Northwest Territories. He remembers that page, and swore at the time that he’d head north to fish, something he’d grown to love as a young boy in northern Sweden.
In the summer of 1986, he made good on that promise. Out of the military and the owner of a courier business, he came to Canada and drove north from Edmonton – a two-day-long, dusty, sweaty trip. When he arrived in Yellowknife, he says, “It was like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. I fell in love with the place right away.”
Still, he might not have stayed if it weren’t for an empty chair at the back of a busy bar. He checked into the Discovery Inn and inquired about where to have fun. “I asked the girl at the front desk, ‘where’s a good place to go party?’ She said, ‘right upstairs, at the bar.’ So I walked up and the place was packed, there were no seats, nothing. I turned around to look for another bar and just before I hit the exit, there were three ladies sitting there and an extra chair at the table. So I said, ‘ah, what the hell,’ and asked if I could sit down. And that’s how I met my wife, the first night.”
Wesstrom and Doreen Drygeese spent an idyllic month canoeing, hiking and exploring the Yellowknife area. “She was very beautiful. And she’s a bush woman,” he says. He returned to Sweden, sold his company and, the next summer, headed back to the Northwest Territories. That’s when Doreen took him to her childhood home, Enodah, an island in Great Slave Lake that once held a cluster of cabins.
They started to fix up what was left of her family’s old place, got an outfitters’ licence and, the following year, began welcoming guests. “We built a tent, one tent. And we started to promote to American fishermen,” he says. “I saw the area and I just knew. I thought, ‘oh my god, more people should see this.’” The second summer, they added another tent, and so on, until 1998, when they decided they had to build real lodgings if they wanted to be competitive.
They’ve come a long way since that lone tent: Now, Trout Rock Lodge has dozens of beds, which Wesstrom fills with American father-son fishermen in the summer and Japanese and Chinese Aurora-watchers in the winter. To lure the latter, every year he goes to a tourism showcase in Japan that he says is like speed dating for travel professionals. He gets 15 minutes each with agents from Japan, China, India and South Korea, trying to sell them on why his Aurora-viewing is the best in the world. Sometimes, he takes it up a notch. One year, he says, he joined some Korean agents in their country’s biggest-ever dance fad, doing the “Gangnam Style” dance.
Among Wesstrom’s summer visitors, he’s developed a loyal following – because of his fishing, and because of his larger-than-life personality. One of his clients, an American Pike-hound named John Kuller, gifted Wesstrom two bottles of Two Buck Chuck, a quick-and-dirty Californian wine, on his second trip to Trout Rock. Wesstrom proceeded to pound the two bottles, says Kuller. “He then disappeared, presumably to bed. Next morning, he showed up late for breakfast, looking like he had lost a fight with a polar bear. His face was all torn and bloody, his foot and leg were all beat up, and he could hardly walk. He claimed that he had fallen out of bed, an unlikely happening for an old merchant seaman. The ladies on the staff were not talking, so who knows what really happened. Maybe he got mixed up with a moose while taking a pee.”
Nowadays, Wesstrom doesn’t drink much – two years ago, he was diagnosed with diabetes and gave up his vices, save for the pack of Players cigarettes that peeks from his jacket pocket. All that’s still visible from his days as a marine are a gold anchor ring and his arm-length “sleeves” of tattoos. “We keep it civilized now,” he says, though the lodge’s popular karaoke machine still makes an appearance once in a while.
But, as is his nature, Wesstrom remains feisty. He jokes about not getting a steady paycheque; he’s cagey about how much cash the lodge pulls in. “Five bucks,” he answers with his toothy grin.
At the Geoscience Forum, an airline executive wanders by the booth. “I saw your machine outside; that was pretty cool,” he says. Wesstrom, ever the salesman, quips: “Gimme a cheque, I’ll give you the keys!”
The man keeps walking. Wesstrom shrugs. “You have to try,” he says.
Related Stories
Intriguing tales from Canada's Northwest Territories
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
Activities
What began as a “part time fishing lodge” has now become a “full time Aurora Wilderness Lodge” open year round......
We are an experienced team in the tourism industry and we provide services in Mandarin, Cantonese, English and other Asian......
Book an adventure with us at Trail Blazer Tours for an unforgettable experience! Your adventure with us will create lasting......
Your Dene Connection in Yellowknife. B. Dene Adventures is a Traditional Dene Culture Camp business which teaches the Dene way......
We are the Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ got’ine. People of the community of Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́, “the place where rivers come together”, in......
Tundra North Travel is an Inuit company based in Inuvik, Northwest Territories that was established with the dream of being......
Red Cliff Adventures has a traditional camp that is located in Lutsel K’e, on the shores of the East Arm,......
Nestled in the Nahanni Range of the Mackenzie Mountains on Cli Lake, is the North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge. It is......
Enodah Wilderness Travel / Trout Rock Lodge/ Enodah Kennel offer high-quality Aurora viewing experiences by night and dogsled tours by......
With over 30 years of living in Yellowknife, we offer a variety of tourism experiences for our guests. We are......
Hearne Lake Lodge is a remote fly-in fishing lodge only 20-minute floatplane ride east of Yellowknife. To serve you better,......
Arctic Adventure & Wildlife viewing on the edge of the tree line of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Lynx Lake 400 km......
Creating Memories for a Lifetime Nonacho Lake Fishing Adventures offers trophy lake trout and northern pike fishing. Wildlife abounds at......
Offering four-hour Aurora tours including the ice road and City of Yellowknife. Pick-up and drop-off available. Small groups. Service in......
Best Northern Road Trip! Now you can drive all the way to the Arctic ocean linking Canada from coast to......
The all new Namushka Lodge! Come enjoy all the new amenities of a fly-in fishing lodge! Located on Harding Lake, 32......
Destination NWT Limited is a tourism operator located in Yellowknife, Canada. DNWT specializes in outdoors adventures, aurora photography, and cultural experiences: Best rated Snowmobile Tour, winter gears included, exciting trail riding Aurora Tour in a Luxurious lakeside Lodge Unique Aurora tour while Ice Fishing indoors Full panoramic moonroof vehicle for Aurora Viewing DNWT’s tours allow […]...
Explore Yellowknife is an adventure tour operator based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.We offer authentic northern tours like no other. Witness......
With us, you will find a unique Northern fishing experience with no distractions. Our amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, standard queen-sized......
DISCOVER A MOMENT THAT LASTS A LIFETIME. Aylmer Lake Lodge is located in Rocknest Bay, which is on the Barren......
Our professional tour guides will take you on amazing Aurora viewing tours, city tours, ice road tours and much more.......
Fly-in fishing lodge located 150 air miles (240 kms) south of Yellowknife. Full American Plan or unguided....
For a Great Northern Experience! Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of day trips ranging from 2 to 10 hours......
Comfortable lodge a 20 minute by floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Guided fishing for Lake Trout (to 34 lb), Arctic Grayling (to......
With Bluefish Outfitting you’ll get an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Bluefish Outfitting offers personalized, guided fishing trips and boat tours on......
We are an Inuvialuit owned and operated family business, run by locals Enoch and Amanda Pokiak, based in Inuvik in the Western......
100% Indigenous owned! We are the world’s first Aurora Hunting tour company, we know Aurora. Learn about Aurora, why Yellowknife is the......
World class dogsled tours! We are one of the largest professional sled dog kennels in Canada. Over 150 happy, healthy......
If are looking for a spectacular weekend retreat nestled in the serenity of the Mackenzie Mountains at Ten Stone Mountain Lodge. North-Wright......
Yellowknife Sportfishing Adventures is a professional fishing charter company with a professional NWT fishing guide looking to help you catch......
Remote private wilderness paradise on Little Doctor Lake, 100 km west of Fort Simpson. Accommodates 20 in cabins. Fishing, swimming,......
Great Slave Lake Tours offers winter and summer trips on Great Slave Lake, the ninth biggest lake in the world......
Come experience world-class Aurora Borealis viewing in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are the only guides in the Northwest Territories......
Join us on an Aurora hunting adventure. Our skilled tour guides know all the best places around Yellowknife to capture......
Come explore more then half a century of marine history under the Aurora!...
Dancing Skies is a new tour operator in Yellowknife, led by an experienced northern lights chaser and photographer with a passion for contemplation. Specializing in private tours and small groups of up to 5 people, we prioritize silent, serene observation and photography of the aurora, far from the crowds. With expertise in Space Weather data, […]...
Fish for Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling and Northern Pike at the remote untouched East Arm of Great Slave Lake, one......
World Class Fishing Within Reach Yet Beyond Belief For 3 generations we have been honing the Kasba experience to be like no-other. Our level of hospitality, dedication to the fishery, and a legendary passion for the experience that permeates through our entire team is undeniably contagious. No matter what you’re looking for in your fishing […]...
We offer winter clothing rentals. Our winter clothing will keep you warm and comfortable for your outdoor fun – ask us......
Arctic Tours Canada is a Yellowknife based tour operating company that offer Aurora Hunting and Viewing tours, Yellowknife sightseeing tours,......
We operate a fully equipped luxury coach and offer City Tours, Aurora Tours and tours to the Nahanni National Park Reserve......
We offer tours such as aurora viewing, dog sledding, snowmobile rides, ice fishing and more. Come experience a once in......
Fish & Explore Thaidene Nëné Frontier Lodge. Over 60 years of legendary fishing on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, at......
Extend your trip to Fort Simpson with a visit to our Dene Camp, K’iyeli. We have options available for an......
“Like No Other Place On Earth” We are the only fly-in lodge located a 50 minute float plane flight from......
Great Bear Lake Lodge is located on the Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake and is home to the biggest......
Northern and Remote Wilderness Adventures Ltd. (NARWAL) is a small, friendly, majority Aboriginal owned and operated family business. Our reputation......
One of the finest Pike and Lake Trout waters in North America, on the 60th Parallel. Enjoy luxurious private cabins......
“Unforgettable remote fishing experience” We are the only lodge located on this fly-in only lake. With only 8 guests per......
Trophy Lodge is a fishing lodge located on the Smith Arm of Great Bear Lake. We are famous for our......
Yellow Dog Lodge is a comfortable lodge with 3 private cabins for our guests. The lodge is a short (15 minute) floatplane ride from Yellowknife. Located on Duncan and Graham Lakes, the lodge is your hub for adventure. Choose from an additional 5 lakes for guided day trip excursions. Each lake is unique and offers unspoiled first class fishing. We are the only lodge that operates guided trips on each of these remote lakes located in the NWT taiga wilderness. Packaged trips feature superb sport fishing and safe outdoor adventure. The lakes and streams offer the finest Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye and Arctic Grayling in the region. As an added bonus, our guests will enjoy the midnight sun and may even catch the northern lights later in the fall or early spring....
We are a local Aboriginal tour company based in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Our focus is on......
2 Seasons Adventures is a family-owned company. Our professional guides boast a lifetime of experience enjoying the unique lifestyle of......
Peterson’s Point Lake Lodge provides you access to known waters teeming with monster lake trout. Their current record is a......
Aurora Village – A Class of Its Own Aurora Village is a unique Aurora-viewing facility situated 25 minutes from downtown......
Create your own story. We offer a variety of services to make your Sahtu adventure a reality! We offer everything from......
Raven Tours is a tour operator in Yellowknife, NT, Canada. We offer Aurora Viewing, Snowshoeing, and Hiking Tours. We hope to......
Guided hunting, community tours of Tuktoyaktuk and much more. Visit a local home to enjoy a unique opportunity to appreciate......
If you are looking for an Aurora Experience of a lifetime in Yellowknife – the best place in the world to......
Book this entire cabin in the remote wilderness of the stunningly breath-taking, Mackenzie Mountains. This cabin is hands down the......
Our goal is to provide unique customized services for high-end customers. We excel at making personalized tours. You can see......
Join us for a fishing trip of a lifetime in the barrenlands of Northern Canada. Experience some of the world’s......
Exceptional fishing on Gordon Lake, 100 km northeast of Yellowknife. Fish for Lake Trout, up to to 56 lbs! Fly in by......
Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is located in the community of Wrigley, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are a Designated Authority in......
Northstar Resort is a remote fishing lodge located on Thekulthili Lake, 95 miles (152 km) northeast of Fort Smith. Operates from......
Boat tours in the wildlife-rich Slave River delta and fishing at Taltson Big Pike Lodge....
Ena Lake Lodge is a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive luxury fishing and outdoors experience in Northern Canada. Come and experience authentic fly-in......
Welcoming and friendly with a rustic charm and all modern conveniences, Grey Goose Lodge immediately catches your eye as you......
For 35 years, Sambaa K’e has offered world-class fishing on Trout Lake just north of the Northwest Territories-British Columbia border.......
Yellowknife Online produces Yellowknife specific articles and content for visitors, residents, and newcomers. Yellowknife Online has recently transferred that knowledge......
Warburton Bay has a magic of its own. Located on the southwest end of Mackay Lake, it is close to......
Chuck Gruben is an active Inuvialuit hunter and trapper very knowledgeable in the Tuktoyaktuk area offering customized tours (hunting, hiking,......
To truly experience the Northwest Territories, take your camping gear for a highway driving adventure! Long ribbons of road without......
Remote naturalist’s lodge snuggled in the Mackenzie Mountains, in the largest mountain wilderness in North America. Located along the Canol......
Fish for Trophy Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling at our all-inclusive lodge located in East Arm, Great Slave Lake. Fly......
Beaufort Sea Adventures is a family-owned and Indigenous-operated business, proudly offering Arctic experiences in Tuktoyaktuk. Our family lives and breathes the North, giving us a unique insight into the hidden gems that make Tuktoyaktuk truly special. We offer guests an authentic cultural immersion, sharing our Inuvialuit heritage, stories, and deep connection to the land and […]...
Born & raised in Inuvik, Northwest Territories our experienced lead guide Jimmy Kalinek is ready to help you discover the......
Outfitter offering sport hunts for trophy Dall’s sheep, Alaska/Yukon Moose, Mountain Caribou. We ensure that every detail of the hunt......
Offering Cultural tours, sport fishing, canoeing and snowmobile tours. Contact us for more information....
Join us on a subarctic adventure! Spend five nights viewing the Northern Lights, enjoying outdoor activities, and experiencing the culture......
We offer Yellowknife daytime and aurora viewing tours. Please contact us for more information!...
An Arctic Barrenlands trophy fishing adventure for the serious sportsman. Located on Lynx Lake (420 km east of Yellowknife) Lynx......
Call us about our exciting year-round packages and experience the best of the Dehcho region and Denendeh....
The Aurora Borealis Experience specializes in exciting, safe and memorable outdoor adventures....
Aurora viewing tours, city tours, and hikes at Cameron Falls. We book all your activities and accommodation....
We offer: Nature and wildlife viewing Snowmobile tours Fishing tours Boat tours Polar bear and muskox hunts. Contact us for......
Outstanding fly-in fishing for northern pike and lake trout. Approximately 75 minutes NE of Fort Smith on Thekulthili Lakes....
We run a small all-inclusive lodge that can handle ten people at a time. From this lodge we organize hunting......
We offer the following: Boat & Fishing tours Community & Cultural tours Dog sled tours Snowmobile / ATV tours Polar......