Royal is one of the oldest, still active, fishing guides in Brainerd, Minnesota. He started fishing the Brainerd Lakes at the age of five. An original member of the Nisswa Guides League; Royal worked with other legendary Brainerd fishing guides like; Al Linder, Gary Roach, and Marv Koep at the start of Brainerd, Minnesota's fishing boom. He has been featured in multiple publications over the years including; "Minnesota Explorer", "Legends & Legacies", and Joe Fellegy's classic "Minnesota Fishing Guide Stories". Royal was instrumental in creating the first fishing classes for elementary students in Minnesota and also taught Brainerd community education fishing classes for adults for many years. Few Brainerd fishing guides have given back so much to their sport. Royal was inducted into the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame in 2016 for his numerous contributions to the sport of fishing. Royal still gives fishing guide seminars at several Brainerd resorts. Royal is truly one of the legendary fishing guides in Brainerd, Minnesota.