If you love freshwater fishing, BC Fishing Adventures is the perfect companion. Anglers, photographers, hikers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts will find this publication an indispensable tool when planning and experiencing their next outdoor adventure.

Russell Mussio was born in Trail, BC where he spent his childhood years playing sports and exploring the Great Outdoors. At a time when parents simply called their kids back for dinner, Russell and friends could be found fishing local streams, hiking and biking nearby trails and even chasing grouse and deer around the hills.

His family, in particular his father Sergio and brother Wesley, were instrumental in introducing him to the trials and tribulations of outdoor adventure. From camping throughout the parks and recreation sites of BC to hunting and fishing in the Kootenays it seemed every vacation had an outdoor theme. From these early beginnings, Russell grew a strong appreciation of the outdoors.

Russell attended the University of British Columbia where he explored a few different career options before settling in on a degree in Leisure and Sport Administration. Before graduating he took a year off to travel the world. From this experience Russell developed a passion for outdoor travel, which he was able to develop through his final year at university. Backed by a sponsor professor, he was able to explore two different outdoor recreation business concepts. The guidebook business that he and his brother stumbled across when exploring the wilderness around Vancouver seemed to be the most logical concept. That is where the idea for the Backroad Mapbook series was born.

After graduation Russell, along with Wesley, went about self-publishing their first guidebook called the Backroad and Outdoor Recreation Mapbook: Southwestern BC for a tradeshow in January 1994. By March 1994, the first printing of the book was sold out. But rather than simply reprinting it, they listened to the feedback of the readers and retailers and improved it. This constant desire to create the best book in the most convenient and economical package possible has helped the brothers and their publishing company, Mussio Ventures Ltd., produce over 40 National Bestseller titles. Today, Mussio Ventures, through their signature series Backroad Mapbooks, is Canada's leading outdoor recreation publisher.

Russell now lives in Lake Country, BC with his wife and two children. In addition to helping run the publishing company and family commitments, he is involved with the local park department and outdoors club. Although he spends as much time as he can exploring the backroads of Canada, he always seems to return to the pen to write. He has been published in several different magazines, newspapers and websites across the country including regular contributions to Adventure West magazine, and several articles published in The Province newspaper out of Vancouver, BC.

Russell Mussio's profile page

Wesley Mussio was born in Trail, BC where he spent most of his childhood exploring the Great Outdoors. His family, in particular his father Sergio, was instrumental in introducing him to the wonders of camping,fishing and hunting. He developed a fond appreciation of the outdoors and took it upon himself to lead themany kids in the neighbourhood on adventures ranging from fishing local streams to hiking and bikingnearby trails and even chasing grouse and deer around the hills.

Wesley graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Forestry in 1986. He then went on to become a Registered Professional Forester in 1990. This background helped Wes co-found theBackroad Mapbook/ Fishing Mapbook series with his brother, Russell. It also solidified a strong desire tobe involved in outdoor pursuits.

At the same time, Wes graduated from law school in 1990 and was called to the British Columbia bar in 1991. Since being called to the BC bar as a lawyer, he has worked principally in the area of personal injuryclaims. As a result, Mr. Mussio gained extensive trial experience having been lead counsel in over 100Supreme Court and Court of Appeal trials.

Currently, Wes is working for the plaintiff only firm of Murphy Battista focusing on personal injury claims. However, in his spare time, Wes is still an avid outdoorsman and helps research and write many of theBackroad Mapbooks and Fishing Mapbooks for Western Canada. If Wes is not fighting for a client in Court or working on the publishing side of the mapbook company, he is hiking a backcountry trail, fishing a local hot spot or exploring the backroads of Canada.

Wesley Mussio's profile page