Recently, Wayne Crawford, of Georgia, made a visit to our Flagship store before his vacation. Wayne needed to fix his travel bag and had some wonderful words to share about our support crew. Thank you, Wayne, for being a long standing customer of ours for 20 years. We’re honored to have you as a part of the family!

While flying into Seattle on 10 June 2011, for an Alaskan Cruise, one of my four Filson travel bags handle was broken in the Atlanta Airport. All things in the south go through Atlanta, even broken bags. The next morning, a Saturday, I took a Taxi to Filson Seattle Headquarters from my hotel with my bag and asked if there was an opportunity to have my pull up handle replaced.  To my great good fortune some of the support team were working Saturday morning and in 30 minutes I had a new handle at no cost.  As always Filson stands by their product and I am delighted that I have been buying their travel bags for 20 years and will continue to do so.  Well done and thanks to the dedicated team who made my day and to your continued exceptional customer service.

Lee Allen has much to be thankful for in his life. During a dangerous accident at work, his arm was stuck between pumping units. Thankfully his arm was saved thanks to his Filson Tin Cruiser jacket. He has been hooked on Filson ever since and recommends it to anyone working in an oil field.

I work in Texas oil field was wearing tin cruiser while working on a pumping unit, the break slipped and my arm was in between pumping unit weights and fly well of engine .If I had not been wearing the tin cruser my arm would have been badly hurt if not broken or worse. Because of the tin cruiser, I was able to get my arm out . It did tear a hole in coat but left me unhurt. I recommend Filson Tin Clothing to all men who start in oil field for winter wear. May cost little more but it keeps you dry and warm. Good safety equipment.

All of us at Filson want to thank everyone who came out for Scott Linden’s “Bird Hunting Boot Camp,” at our Seattle Flagship store, on Saturday. A special thanks to our friend Scott Linden, and his dog Buddy, for hosting the event. If you didn’t get enough lessons from Scott, he has given us a guest blog post to share with all of you. Hopefully it will hold you over until next time.

This observation gets the most nods and smiles at my Bird Hunting Boot Camp. The recent Filson Seattle event was no different. Just think about it for a minute or two and see if you agree.

Buddy works hard to find birds before and after the shot. But let’s be honest. He’d rather take that shot bird and bury it than bring it to me. So how to encourage him to retrieve shot birds to hand, rather than heading for the far horizon?

Let him keep it for a bit.

The ultimate reward for a bird dog … is birds! The savory smell, unique feel, that feathery taste – mmmm good (at least to a dog). If you want him to work for you, give him a suitable reward when he performs to your expectations.

Don’t be so eager to grab the bird or retrieving dummy the moment he arrives. Let him hold it, even a little light play is okay, short of gnawing on it. Let him carry it while he walks at heel. No harm done.

If you need to keep your young dog close, step on his check cord rather than grab his collar. Bend over and reach, even just for his collar, and he’ll run. Turn away or kneel down, and he’ll eventually offer you his treasure willingly.

Keep your hands to yourself so he doesn’t think you’re taking away his favorite source of pleasure. I’ll put my hands in my pockets, or sit down. That less-dominant posture somehow convinces Buddy I’m not after his bird.

Yet.

(You can watch a lot of these insights and observations in video form, at www.scottlindenoutdoors.com – search for “Buddy & Me.”)

Scott Linden is a good friend of Filson and we value his insight and expertise in the hunting industry. You always learn something when you are around him. We invited to guest blog on FilsonLife so you could be a part of his teachings, too.

Some say when I grow a beard I resemble my dog Buddy … too much. Take a look at the photo of us and judge for yourself. Others say I have a face for radio (did that for 20 years), and you might agree.

But Buddy knows that my face can help him become a better hunter, and its one insight I’ll share with you at the upcoming Filson “Bird Hunting Boot Camp” seminar I’m doing at the Seattle store on July 23.

Bird dogs key in on your body’s most visible, brightest component – your face. A cooperative dog will want to move to your front, upwind and where the birds are, keeping your face behind him. So how do you use this to your advantage?

Look in the direction you want your dog to go. To change direction just turn that way.

When you need a strong retrieve direct him with your face, not by walking around in the brush. It keeps your scent out of the area, but still puts him where the bird fell.

And take off those dark glasses. Your eyes are not just the window to your soul, but the key to communicating with your dog.

Like Buddy, your dog may not have the best taste in owners, but if it helps him hunt, your face may be the best thing he’s seen all day.

(You can watch a lot of these insights and observations in video form, at www.scottlindenoutdoors.com – search for “Buddy & Me.”)

Over the weekend we co-sponsored the Oregon Sporting Clays Championship at Cottage Grove, Eugene Sportsmen’s Club. We had an incredible turn out and amazing talent come out and we would like thank all those who participated. There’s no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Take a look.

Our Filson fan got hooked on Filson with the Mackinaw Wool Vest he received as a Christmas present.  For over four years he’s used his vest for every one of his adventures.  His favorite part of Filson? The long lasting durability. He hopes his vest will be around for a long time to come.

My first was the Filson Mackinaw wool vest it’s perfect for the fall matched with a flannel shirt is all you need, no weight all warmth. I was totally impressed on this wonderful; product on Christmas morning 4years ago, and of course if you’re wondering it looks the same since the day I received it. Thanks for such a great product.

Filson Fan GB, of Alaska, shares a remarkable story of how Filson has been part of his family’s life from generation to generation. His coat, originally given to his dad as a graduation present, has withheld weather, abuse and wear and tear for over 30 years during surveying in Alaska. The coat was recently passed down to his son, the original owner’s grandson.  GB believes there are many more years of adventure left in his coat. Who knows, maybe it’ll get passed on to his grandson one day.

My dad was given a Filson coat shortly after he graduated high school by his parents as a parting gift, when he was leaving for forestry school. The coat was used in school and for surveying in Alaska for 30 years give or take. During which time the coat suffered the abuse normally associated with surveying; dense brush, liberal coatings of mosquito repellant and chainsaw gas, sweat and dirt. Nevermind the weather. The coat spent countless years of field use-getting stuffed behind the seat of the pick-up, left in the trucks tool box then ended up in the garage for several years ,where I found it under the work bench. Talk about abuse! I cleaned the coat up and would you believe that all the snaps are intact and functional and there is not a single hole or frayed stitch and as it doesn’t fit me, gave it to my son, the original owners grandson who uses it regularly. The coat has many years left and still repels water. As a parting thought, I did the math-this coat is nearly 50 years old. Well done Filson.

Hey all you anglers out there! How important to you is having roadless areas to fish on? We all know that the key to finding the best catch is off the beaten path. Kirk Deeter, of Field and Stream, will walk for miles to find the spot. Now in Colorado, the United States Department of Agriculture is debating whether to implement more access to these more exclusive areas.  Kirk writes about the opportunities for anglers to bring awareness on how this could affect the quality of fishing in the state. Today is the last day that the public can comment in favor or preserving roadless areas. You can click here  to learn more about roadless issues from Colorado Trout Unlimited.

“This is especially true in Colorado. Here, 12 of the 15 most hunted game management units (the most productive ones) have over 100,000 acres of roadless wilderness. More than 70 percent of Colorado River Cutthroat trout habitat is in roadless areas.”

What do you think?

From the scope of a 12 gauge shotgun, the back of a kayak, or even on top of your four-legged friend – The Go Pro Hero Camera takes our two favorite outdoor sports to a whole new level in this video.

Filson fan Kenneth, of Maine, got hooked on Filson because of the strength and durability of our products. He uses his favorite product of our bunch – the Double Tin Pants – for some of his favorite activities. Hiking, outdoor photography, outdoor work and construction – you name it. His favorite part about Filson? It’s American-made.

I recently purchased a pair of your double tin pants – reason durability and made in the USA! I’m so happy with them, I ordered suspenders also! Thanks for a great American made product. I am willing to pay extra for American made products that last, I used to buy carhartt for work, no more all made in Mexico now. Hopefully you don’t go down that same road!