Brett Ward was first introduced to Filson with a pair of Double Tin Pants from his father when he was 13 years old and his father continues to pass along the tradition.

My father bought a Mackinaw Cruiser 12 years ago to this day. I was mentioning to him that I was going to purchase one and he said he had just ordered a new one and I could have his. This garmet has never been dry cleaned, has all the buttons and shows absolutley no signs of wear! He has been buying Filson clothing for over 30 years and I plan to carry on the tradition.

Always Bet on the Underdog

Ten lessons from the pheasant camp that is actually a dog camp

Photo Credit: Grayson Schaffer

Photo credit: Grayson Schaffer

Photo credit: Grayson Schaffer

Photo credit: Grayson Schaffer

Some people have Burning Man. For the last two years, I’ve cleared my schedule and made the 17-hour drive north to a certain repurposed mine-foreman’s house in North Dakota. On the agenda for the week: pheasants. My editor recently asked me if I was really taking a vacation and driving cross-country just to kill things—again. To be fair, chasing ditch parrots, as the Nodakkers call them, makes at least as much sense as driving to a place that’s good for riding bicycles, kayaking down a freezing rocky river where you could drown, or any of the other things we do for fun.

The simple explanation, for the uninitiated,  is that bird hunting is not about birds but dogs—British Labradors for most of us. Here’s an animal endowed by nature to run faster, jump higher, and smell more acutely than any human. And through years of selective breeding, patience, reinforcement, and, who are we kidding, the occasional profane outburst, a good Lab will put those inhuman abilities to work for the handler. Occasionally, when everything aligns perfectly—bird and gun and scent and dog—it can seem like the connection between retriever and handler is as plain as English.

It’s that connection that brings this same crew—most of them from Alaska—together ever year. We all have dogs out of Mike Stewart’s Wildrose Kennels in Oxford, Mississippi, and we all do our best to train using the low-force, positive-reinforcement ethic that Stewart promotes. Getting together means getting a lot of good dogs together. When you turn 15 dogs loose in the same pheasant field, there’s either chaos or there isn’t. Mostly, there isn’t.

Here, then, are the (unofficial) rules of dog etiquette for people who take their gun dogs seriously—but not too seriously.

1. You might have the best dog in the field back home, but that likelihood lessens with each mile driven.

2. Undersell your dog—always. He’s a better shower than you are a teller.

3. Everytime you’re about to brag about your dog, stop yourself and complement another dog’s fine retrieve from the day, instead. Don’t worry, this is not a selfless act because… (see number five)

4. Only the underdog can overachieve. The best the overdog can do is meet expectations.

5. If your dog breaks and steals a retrieve from another dog, you must berate your dog loudly. This is for the benefit of the other hunter and will have no effect on your dog’s behavior whatsoever.

6. OK, now put a leash on him.

7. Never give another guy a hard time about his dog. Believe me, he knows.

8. Instead, refer to number 3: Acceptable: “That dog sure has the eye of the tiger.”

9. When your dog honors, then makes a long retrieve through heavy cover, and returns with a lightly wounded bird, you’d better sound at least as happy as an eight-year-old girl who’s been given a pony for Christmas. (Not saying my dog has ever made a retrieve like this. But man, Jay, Duke sure makes those long falls look easy, don’t he?)

10. When your dog leans against you, it either means that he’s trying to dominate you or that he has an itch he’d like you to scratch. Your call.

Peter Fiduccia, aka the Deer Doctor, is truly an expert in the field when it comes to hunting. In his first blog with Filson Life, Peter explains a vital aspect to having a successful hunt and how he stays warm in the field, and his eyes on the prize, even in the most extreme conditions.

The most important elements to a successful hunt include accurate shooting skills, cutting edge tactics, and maximizing time afield. Without the complete combination of these basic strategies, hunting success declines considerably.

For example, on a recent hunt in Newfoundland my guide and I were forced to sit for hours at the edge of a bog in a small group of Tuckamore trees waiting for a bull moose to get up from its bed. Occasionally, we could see his huge antlers as he moved his head. It motivated us to remain in the uncomfortable conditions of sitting on wet, soggy, ground in frigid, bone chilling winds and freezing rain and snow.

Several times my guide began to shiver badly as he was severely underdressed. I knew if the bull didn’t get up soon we could lose the opportunity to get a shot. Minutes later the bull stood up and went to the edge of the bog to drink. I placed the crosshairs on his chest, flipped the safety off, and with one clean well-placed shot the bull dropped in his tracks.

The point is to maximize opportunities to take big game; a hunter has to remain focused on the hunt and not on trying to stay warm. This is particularly crucial when the weather conditions are miserable and uncomfortable. In other words, to take full advantage of hunting prospects always go afield dressed to kill!

I have stalked all types of big game throughout North America over the last 47 years, many times in severe weather conditions. I learned early on that dressing properly was not only the key to taking game, or keeping warm – but it was also an important element to staying alive – especially when hunting at 7,000 to 10,000 feet.

My choice in hunting clothing has always been quality wool products. Most savvy big game hunters are ardent about having a variety of wool clothing in their closet. Wool clothing keeps the body warm and comfortable even in the most hostile weather conditions or bitterly cold temperatures (unlike materials made of polyester that don’t absorb heat from the body). No other material can absorb moisture or keep you as warm as quality wool. Wool is also one of the most durable materials made and will last for many years. It is also ultra quiet which helps hunters get close to game.

A few years ago, on a deer hunt in Saskatchewan, I sat for eight hours each day in a deer blind in temperatures that never climbed above minus 35 degrees! I realized if I was going to get a chance at a Boone and Crockett buck, I had to stay ultra warm in order to maximize my hunting time. Luckily, I was dressed for the extreme conditions.

Each morning I put on my Merino Wool Socks, top and bottom long johns, and a Mackinaw Bib to help keep both my chest and kidneys warm. I also wore an Alaskan Guide shirt and with a heavyweight Double Mackinaw Cruiser jacket. I covered my head (the most crucial body part to keep warm) in a Double Mackinaw Cap and wore Merino Wool Gloves.

This combo of wool clothing protected me from the extreme frigid temperatures and winds that constantly blasted in from the north. On the last hour of legal daylight on the last day of the hunt, I shot a 16-point buck that green scored 207” and netted 198 6/8” Boone and Crockett. Without being able to stay warm on stand, the odds of me remaining afield to see a trophy class buck would have been slim to none! Take my word for it, dressing to kill puts meat in the freezer and trophies on the wall!

Steve Chase tells the story of one cold duck hunting day when his Filson kept him warm and dry while his friends hung their clothes to dry for hours.

During the last days of duck hunting season in NC, my buddies and I headed into the Pamlico Sound. The weather was bad – blowing hard, raining/snowing sideways, and COLD. All the newest technical gear was out, and as usual, I took a ribbing for being a Filson poster child, wearing “old” technology. My waterfowl coat, waterfowl sweater and double hunting bibs have been a mainstay for hunting out of a boat for years. As the day progressed I listened to radio chatter about packing it in due to being soaked. The other hunters in our boat weren’t enjoying the day, shivering, wet and thinking more about going in than shooting ducks. When we returned to camp, everyone had their outerwear, clothes and long johns hanging to dry. As I walked in, I took off my jacket, totally dry and warm, and watched the mouths drop. My Filson gear had out-performed the latest and greatest, kept me dry, kept me warm, and was ready to go again. I smile as I see more and more Filson show up on our hunts. While there’s often a new material, latest fabric, or amazing technology in camp, I continue to see Filson gear pulled out of the truck when it’s time to go. I still get ribbed about being the Filson poster child, but when the weather turns, and it’s rain, wind, snow and ice, the lesson learned is that Filson weathers the storm….

Brian is a native of Michigan and has lived in Kentucky for over 16 years. He is an avid hunter, angler, and shooter. He has recently become quite the outdoor blogger and has inspired us to get out, explore and learn something new every day. Today he helps us capture our proudest moments out on the hunt through the lens.

Part of enjoying the outdoors is taking photos to preserve our memories and share them with others. As hunters and anglers, we like to take photos of our game and fish. Here are some simple tips to help you get the most out of your “trophy” pictures.

1. Fill The Frame

It’s important to fill the frame with the subject. Get in close and eliminate distracting objects and backgrounds. Make the hunter or angler and their game or fish the primary focus of the photo. It’s okay to take pictures at various distances, but make sure to get those close-in shots. It’s no fun to have someone take your picture with that nice buck only to find out they stood so far away that you end up as a small part of the photo.

2. Use The Flash

Many of us don’t think to use flash outside. Bright, sunny days provide lots of light, but they can also cause harsh shadows, especially in the woods. If the subject’s face or the animal seems dark, take some shots with the flash to eliminate shadows and brighten the scene. Most sportsmen wear hats and those can cast shadows on the face. The flash can remove those shadows and show detail. Try experimenting with the flash and compare results.

Photo with flash

Photo without flash

3. Check The Focus

Even with today’s auto focus cameras, sharp focus is not guaranteed. Take a moment and make sure the camera has properly focused on your subject and not something else in the scene. Bad focus will ruin a photo even when everything else is right. If you have a dSLR camera and are having trouble getting proper focus, switch to manual focus to get what you want.

4. Change It Up

Another habit we have is taking all of our shots from the same position or angle. Don’t be afraid to move around and take pictures from various angles. Don’t take all the shots standing up if your subject is kneeling. Get down to eye level where you will gain a different perspective. If possible, have your subject move and get different elements in the scene.

These are basic things that can greatly improve your outdoor pictures and give you shots that you can cherish for a lifetime.

Filson Fan, Ben Pentecost, shares a neat picture with us of his most recent sheep hunting trip. Check out those Filson gloves he used to stay warm!

Christian Miner takes us on an incredible and scary journey off the Oregon coast. After being taken downstream in a river current, he was able to get back on the bank dry out his Filson waders and stay warm to fish a couple hours longer.

During a steelhead fishing expedition at the Oregon coast in the late winter of 2010 I found myself crossing a rather angry river bend. The late winter/early spring snow melt was sending water down the river with a constant roar. The water and air temperatures matched at a few degrees above freezing, after all it was early march in the Cascade Mountains a few miles from the coast. With each step I took to get closer to the bank, the river current got faster and faster until it began to carry me away. Before falling under and launched downstream, I lunged forward at the last moment and grabbed the root of a tree on the opposite bank. I lost my grip. I grabbed another, and yet another as the river carried me away. Suddenly my Filson Waders began to fill with water, and I knew I was in trouble. With my hand firmly grasping the final root of the tree, exposed by an eroding bank, and laying almost perfectly horizontal from the force of the river pulling me downstream, waders completely filled, I managed one last burst of energy to pull me onto the bank. At last, I felt safe as I managed to trade my last burst of energy for a safe seat on the bank, out of the roaring river flow just below me. But now my worst fear set in, it was near freezing, I was completely soaked, and my truck was miles away. I took my Filson waders off, emptied them and put them back on, and prepared for the chill…the chill that never came. Throughout the entire event my Filson Waders kept me comfortably warm, even completely drenched with near freezing river water. I was able to continue fishing and after a few hours, I was dry….never cold! I’d wear them to work if I could!

Photo credit: Bill Buckley

For over 2 decades, George Hickox has shown all levels of dog owners how to train bird dogs. He believes that no dog is too old to become a good hunter and that no dog is too young to learn correct habits. George knows everything from A-Z when it comes to bird dogs and with a new season on the horizon, George’s guide to a bird dog’s safety is the latest addition to Filson Life.

Heat is a big deal when it comes to a dog’s safety.  When it comes to heat preventative medicine is the best approach.  Keep the dog’s body temperature low and do not let the dog over heat.  Do not feed the working dog in the morning.  Feeding in the morning raises the dog’s temperature.  Also it requires water to digest the food which increases the possibility of dehydration.  Dogs receive their nutritional benefits from a feeding sixteen to twenty hours after feeding so an am he man breakfast is only detrimental to the working dog.

Whenever I am traveling I put my dogs on FortiFlora from Purina three days before traveling and keep the dogs on FortiFlora throughout the trip.  FortiFlora is a probiotic and helps the dog’s intestinal tract aiding in preventing diarrhea.  Diarrhea causes dehydration.  Many hunts have been ruined because a dog has become dehydrated.  More information regarding FortiFlora can be found at www.fortiflora.com.

Keep the dog well hydrated, do not feed in the morning, use FortiFlora, feed a premium performance food in the 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat range (Fat cools and carbohydrates heat.), and give your dog frequent breaks.  The opening day of the bird season is not the time to start getting your dog in shape.  A top tier diet and early season conditioning will help put more birds in the bag.

George Hickox conducts dog training schools for owners and their dogs across North America.  For more information, training tips, and published articles visit www.georgehickox.com.

As outdoorsmen and fisherman, Filson is proud to support the Save Bristol Bay road show. We’re thrilled that they began their tour right here in our home city. If you couldn’t make it to the event, the organization has provided us with a informative recap of the event.

The Save Bristol Bay Road Show had an auspicious start in Seattle Monday night at the Leif Erikson hall in Ballard. Nearly 300 Washington residents including fishermen, Alaska Natives, and sportsmen turned out to watch the award-winning film Red Gold and get engaged in the campaign to stop Pebble mine.

Most of the people in the crowd signed thank you letters to Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray for their support of the fishing industry.  Those letters were then used during a drawing for some great gear giveaways, including three $50 gift cards to The Fly Shop and an Orvis fly rod and reel worth $500.

Snopac Products, a family-owned, Seattle-based fish processing company showed up with three generations of family members in tow, and they donated the Bristol Bay sockeye that was prepared as delicious salmon chunks by Christine Keff of Flying Fish and as salmon cakes by Wayne Johnson of Andaluca. There was also a lot of appreciation for the four delicious beers from Pike Brewery Co.

The crowd was also wowed by angler extraordinaire, Kate Taylor, of Rogue Angels blog fame. Kate literally flew in from four months of guiding fly fishing trips in Bristol Bay, hopped in a cab at the Seattle airport and came to the event to speak out on behalf of lodge owners and fishermen whose jobs depend on Bristol Bay.

At the very same time this group gathered in Seattle to talk about the importance of Bristol Bay to the Washington state economy and way of life – Alaskans celebrated as the Lake and Peninsula Borough in Bristol Bay announced the results of a recent ballot initiative that gives local people a say in how large mines in Bristol Bay will be developed.

On the lighter side, people enjoyed posing at a fun photo booth, with props ranging from feather boats to fishing waders and a net. Plenty of No Pebble stickers went home with the crowd and should be making appearances all over Seattle.

The Save Bristol Bay Road Show continues in Portland, Corvallis, San Francisco, Santa Fe, and Denver this month, spreading the word about the proposed Pebble Mine. Learn more or RSVP at:

www.savebristolbay.org/roadshow

Photo Credit: Judith O'Keefe

Judith O’Keefe started off her fall with a fishing trip in Southeast Oregon. Her passion for fishing has developed over the years. Here she tells us about when she escaped to find a little fishing hole to call her own.

When I hear the phrase, wide-open spaces, I think of southeast Oregon.  I’ve had an on going love affair with the region for quite some time.  The land is truly Big Sky Country with the majestic Steens Mountain, abundant wildlife, and a healthy watershed, which is one of the reasons why it is a major fly-way for many migratory bird species . . . and there are few people. In fact, Harney county boasts of having just one person for every square mile of ground.  Did I mention that some of my favorite days have been spent wading though the area’s beautiful rivers and streams?

I just happen to have had one of those days last week.

It was the first day of autumn and the weather was perfect.  Perfect for throwing hopper flies into the river.   I’d arrived the night before to have dinner with friends who were vacationing in the area.  The next day I set off solo, to fish one of my favorite stretches of river.  It was going to be a ninety degree day and this is the time of year when I wouldn’t think of climbing into a pair of waders anyway, breathable or not.   Wet wading is great once you’re in the water, but it’s getting there that can leave a few scars.  So I did a bit of bushwhacking – ouch – then slid myself into the river just below a bridge.  Immediately I spotted a couple of fish rising downstream, just under that bridge, so I decided to send a fly down in the hope of hooking what seemed to be the biggest of them.  One pass, nothing.  A second, and dang – I was too slow on the hook set.

I knew I’d missed my chance and had better start my wade up stream.  The next few hours were spent blissfully fishing from pool to pool.  I landed a dozen or more rainbow trout in the 14 – 16 inch range, using a couple of different hopper patterns, with Yeager’s Hopper being the most productive.  At about three o’clock I decided it was time get out of the river and start my hike back to the car.  I still had a three-hour drive before I was home. But that stretch of water just up ahead looked so good, so you know how the story goes . . .just one last cast.  As soon as the fly hit the surface of the water the fish had it.  It was one of those heart-stopping takes.  Boom!  This was one aggressive fish.  You know when a fish dives deep, taking line off the reel and shaking it’s head, it’s got to be a big one.  After a short fight, I landed the biggest trout I’d ever seen in that stretch of the river.  It was too big to hold in one hand for a photo, so I quickly measured it against my arm before slipping it back into the water.  I was stunned and elated!  It would have been a great day without this fish, but now it was practically a perfect day.  Just one think left to cross off my list – that trout under the bridge.  I hiked back down stream, and finding  the spot where I first got into the water, I carefully eased my way into the river, and stood there,  barely breathing.  Yes, he was still feeding.  I checked my leader for nicks and decided to use the same lucky fly, now showing some wear.  I cast it just up stream from the fish, let it drift down, and YES, he takes it.   After releasing the fish, it’s a short walk to my car and back to the cabin to find that tape measure.