Here's a magazine related to the genre:
I do think from Rutnstrut's description above he would fit right in. Flannel shirt, hairy chest.....
I think "rough trade" is like "bear", but with a bit of danger/violence to it.
I had some gay friends who called me "rough trade", I somehow knew what they were joking about. Actually, I'm not very tough and would be more of a bear.