Thank you, Tim Walker, for the amazing story about the Packer coat durability!

About three winters ago we had a bad refreezing of ice that was affecting a covered stair walk up to the apartment .The only option was to break it loose. When I got to the middle layer, the ice was hitting my coat fairly hard. My mother asked me if I wanted to stop because she was a little concerned that the ice might be painful. That Filson coat protected me like a knight wearing armor. I was tired when I was finished, but elated that coat took the brunt of the flying ice. To the fine folks at Filson, that packer coat is an outstanding product.

Our Web Graphics and Catalog Creative Manager, Anne Smith, takes us behind the scenes on a flight with Kenmore Air, to Lake Isabel in Washington State’s Cascade Mountains

We totally lucked out with the weather for our photo shoot!  In true North West style, it had been raining for a week solid and we slipped in with the only clear day on an otherwise wet, rainy forecast.  It wouldn’t have mattered with all of our bomber wool and oiled cotton Filson gear but we needed visibility for the plane to take off.  Kenmore Air is a local, Seattle company with whom we have a kindred relationship.  They fly folks into all of the wild, wonderful places we like to be, and we outfit their crew and people like ourselves who like to go to those places.  A floatplane trip was a natural idea to photograph a few of our Filson staffers doing their thing and just being themselves taking a trip into a wild, remote alpine lake to set up camp for weekend in the woods hunting and fishing.  Our three “models”, Ben, Andy, and Amy are all Filson longtime staffers and true Filson wearers…walking the walk and talking the talk. Our pilot, Kevin, was a natural….wearing Filson and living “the life.”  Our local photographer, Frank, brought a keen eye and spontaneity to the day capturing angles and ideas that we hadn’t thought of before.  He was everywhere…eye level with boots in sand, up to his armpits in freezing lake water, and bushwacking up thick, dense mountain hillside all in order to help us see Filson and the people who wear our stuff in a new way.  The idea was to convey that this is what our clothes are made for …to live our lives and do everything we love doing in a quality, authentic way.  That’s what we’re all about.  The day was perfect, we caught autumn color in full swing, had a soggy campfire to dry out wet socks, a few good laughs, big crispy, sunny blue skies and frosted mountain tops to boot.  We all wished that everyday in the “office” could be the same.  Check out some snaps from our trip, meet Ben, Andy, Amy and Kevin, and see how it all happened.

PS…Alpine lake water in late autumn is the perfect temperature for keeping a sixer of PBRs the perfect temperature for an end of the day “cheers.”

Photo Credit: Ben Smith

Filson guest blogger Ben Smith, of Arizona Wanderings, takes us on one of his Gambel’s quail hunts and leaves behind some of his expert tips. Read this and you will feel like you are right out in the field with him!

As I scrambled up the side of the wash, the loose rock gave way underneath of me and I slid backwards. Looking up the embankment I could see the bobbing heads of about a dozen Gambel’s quail that were quickly putting some distance between themselves and me, even though their stride was a fraction of mine. The morning sun had quickly warmed the desert, and the cool air, that had greeted me as I opened the truck door an hour earlier, was a far off memory. Sweat poured off my face and soaked my shirt as I willed myself forward, up the hillside in front of me. I crested the top of the rise and, while my chest heaved with deep breathes, the ground erupted in front of me with the thunderous noise of flushing Gambel’s. I raised my gun quickly but the birds were already out of distance. With a few beats of the wing, they have flown across the next canyon and were patiently waiting on the other side for me to give chase. The devastating realization sunk in that, what took these small birds a few seconds to fly across, will take me the better part of twenty minutes to hike to.

Down the other side of the hill, I went and through the bottom of the wash. I turned my back to the briars that choke the sandy arroyo and allowed my vest to take the brunt of the stickers that pulled at the tough fabric. Once clear of the vegetation, I inched my way up the next knoll, pausing often to listen to the clucking and purring of the birds as they fed above me on the desert floor. Gun at the ready, so as not to make the same mistake as earlier, I slowly moved into position when suddenly, the birds fell quiet. I knew they were close and I waited…20 seconds…40 seconds… I fought the urge to take a step forward.  Too frightened to wait, a bird broke from the bush two yards to my right. My gun rose and slammed against my shoulder as the bird crumpled and fell to the rocky desert. The blast from the shotgun echoed through the canyons and 3 birds took flight to the left and, as I swung the gun in time with the last bird, the roar of the twelve gauge filled my ears while my pattern found the mark.

Picking up my quarry, I paused and noted the weight of the birds and the beautiful markings that graced it body, before sliding the quail into my hunting vest. After a swish and swallow of water, I slid two more shells into my grandpa’s old shotgun and look towards where rest of the covey had glided. Readjusting my game bag and cradling the gun in the crook of my arm, I started to pick my way down the other side of the hill, knowing full well, that I would be climbing these hills the rest of the day.

I have been hunting Gambel’s quail since I moved to Arizona 5 years ago. They have taught me many things, but here are a few tips before you head out into the field.

1. Make sure you are in good shape – Gambel’s quail tend to gravitate toward the washes, hills, and canyons of the southwest. The hunter will be walking up and down some intimidating hills to find birds.

2. Bring tons of water – The desert is an unforgiving playground and it is very important to stay hydrated.

3. My two flush theory – Typically, when I find a vocal covey, I will walk up on the birds and they will flush a good ways out. Watch where they land and know that they are going to run at least 40 or 50 yards before holding. Once I walk up on them again, they usually will flush, possibly giving me a shot. After this second flush, Gambel’s will usually pair off and hold a little tighter allowing the hunter to walk up and flush birds within reasonable shooting range. Take your time and stop often, as these birds can hold until almost stepped on.

Filson tries to evaluate each product incident to gage if we should repair/replace items damaged in use.  Some products cannot be repaired; other times, we may be able to repair it for a small cost of labor required to mend it.  In some cases we cannot accept responsibility for repair or replacement (product has been in use for many years, misuse, abuse, etc.).  We tend to err on the side of doing what is right for each customer and the particular circumstances.

I had always held Filson in high esteem for the wonderful line of upland clothing I had seen in catalogs and on “other” hunters. I personally started buying Filson gear regularly when I got into the Outdoor Industry 13 years ago and had them as a client. I had not even had so much of a hiccup with anything I had purchased until one day in Northeast, MT on a winter pheasant hunt about 8 years ago.

A group of 6 friends or so had been scouring the fields outside of Plentywood, MT for a couple of days. On this particular day I was walking an irrigation ditch opposite a soy bean field with my ever present hunting companion, my black lab Drake. As I was looking for a clear area to drop down into the field I became distracted by movement off to my left and while looking (and walking) my next step was into a critter hole. The next thing I knew I was ass over tea kettle rolling down the hill…gun going one direction with shells flying out of my shell pouch everywhere. When I finally came to a stop my dog was standing over me and looked at me like “what the _ _ _ _ !”. Not one of my finer moments in the field.

I got up and brushed myself off, checked myself out, Grabbed my hat and then started to comb through the brush for shells and anything else I may have lost out of my pockets at the time. I picked up my gun checked it over good and again started on my way. As I was walking however I noticed an airy sensation on my backside and upon further inspection discovered that somehow I had torn a rather large hole in my Filson Lightweight Brush Pants. Soon enough my buddies had all caught on to my airy derriere and ribbed me pretty good. I had a second pair of Filson’s on the trip so things would be fine.

Upon my return to Seattle I stopped by the store to see if my pants could be repaired; figuring I would pay them whatever to sew them back up. I had after all apparently caught them on something pretty sharp on my tumble since the tear was in an “L” shape and not on a seam. The person at the counter that listened to my story, chuckled, then said, “This looked to be quite a spill”… I concurred recollecting the event as it unfolded. Then to my surprise he pointed towards the shelf in the back and said, “Go grab a new pair!” without batting an eye. Wow…was all I could think and thanked him immensely. I have been a true Filson believer ever since and have told this story countless times.

It’s this kind of attention to Customer Service and backing up of a quality product that will keep me coming back as a loyal Filson customer for years to come.

Photo credit: Judith O'Keefe

Judith O’Keefe takes us on an O’Keefe family horseback adventure in the small town of  Stehekin, Washington. This cold weather has us daydreaming about late summer outdoor escapes, just like this one.

The O’Keefe family gathers together every August, not so much for a family vacation, but a family adventure.   This year was no exception. My sister-in-law, Jeanette, discovered the tiny town of Stehekin, Washington, while on a horse pack trip with friends.  Stehekin is tucked away at the northwest end of Lake Chelan, and accessible solely by plane, ferry or horseback.  She was so impressed with the natural beauty, abundant wildlife and interesting topography, that she knew she had bring the family.

At eight am, seven humans and three horses started our 22 mile trek from Bridge Creek Trail off of N. Cascades Hwy. It is noteworthy to mention that we ranged in age from 16, my niece Jacqueline, to age 82, my mother-in-law Ann.  Day one was filled with literal ups and downs, on foot and horseback.   We picked huckleberries, bear watched, some of us got lost, and then there were those trusty steeds, prancing down the trail and shuffling their way across creeks and over logs.  But, I’ll save the details for another time.  Suffice it to say, we all arrived safely at stunning Stehekin Valley Ranch, a few hours behind schedule, but before all the pot roast was gone.   Jeanette was right, this trip should be on every outdoor enthusiast’s Bucket List.

While some spent their days riding and hiking the trails around the ranch, those of us drawn to water had the pleasure of fishing the Stehekin River  with local fishing guide, John Wilsey.   The float offers some of the best scenery in the Northwest: crystal, clear water, with some pools, a deep shade of turquoise blue. Wilsey’s pontoon boat was perfect for navigating the river.  Using hoppers and stimulator dry flies, we landed several strong, healthy cutthroat and rainbow trout in the 10 to 17” range.   The river is known for its fall caddis and green drake hatches and some fish in the 20” plus range.

Sometime in the not too distant future, I’ll make my way back to the Stehekin.  The pot roast was great, but it was the river and the fishing that really whet my appetite.

Kristen Monroe lives for the great outdoors and is always seeking to learn something new that will lead her on her next adventure. So with the opportunity to “bust some clays” at a NRA Women on Target shotgun shooting skills class, do you think she’d say no? No chance.

I live by this motto; Get the most out of the great outdoors, learn all you can and teach others what you learn. My quest of becoming a knowledgeable outdoors enthusiast has only just begun. To become a better hunter, I practice shooting when I can, talk to experts and read.  Recently, I decided to hone in on my shotgun shooting skills by taking the NRA Women on Target Shotgun class sponsored by the Illinois State Rifle Association.

Picture fourteen women learning everything one needs to know to effectively shoot a shotgun. We started with a lesson in safety, followed by the mechanics of a shotgun, and shooting fundamentals.    NRA instructor of 25 years, Kevin Monk and Executive Director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, Richard Pearson, added personality to the lessons that kept it interesting. They gave everyone in the room the confidence to shoot a shotgun that day. The fun really began when we were able put our newly learned lessons to the test.

Not only was it a test of our shooting skills, it was also a test of our teachers. Would any of us be able to break clays? Each shooter had their own certified NRA instructor to guide them along the way. The first one up to shoot was Susan Hriljac, she fired the gun with the whole class watching and sure enough the clay broke into pieces.  With cheers from everyone, Sue beamed and was actually shaking from all the excitement. I will never forget the look of accomplishment on her face. Another lady named Diane nudged me and said, “I haven’t done this in twenty -six years, and I am scared to death.” Diane stepped up and broke 4 out of 5 clays.

My shotgun hunting adventures started last year – there were many new things I took from this class. I discovered the shotgun I own doesn’t really fit my properly, it’s also tad long. Pearson explained discovering your length of pull is necessary and determines what size gun stock will fit you best. Bend your arm 90 degrees, then measure from the inside of the elbow, straight down the forearm to the middle of the pad on your trigger finger. Pick up your shotgun, if you can successfully reach the trigger while the butt of the gun is next to the inside of your elbow you have the right size.

I also learned a trick taking care of my cross-dominance.  I am right handed and left eyed dominant. The best way to deal with this problem was to shoot with both eyes open and use adhesive tape on my shooting glasses to cover my left eye. Since the tape blurred the vision in my left eye, my brain was forced to rely on the suppressed right eye for information. Before I took this class I saw nothing wrong with closing my left and squinting a bit. Apparently, when you close one eye you cause your open eye to strain.

Increase your knowledge about the wilderness and shooting and both eyes will open up to the greater things they have to offer.

Photo Credit: Tom Slaughter

When it comes to hunting and fishing, Tom Slaughter understands that a key aspect to a successful trip is detailed preparation. Here Tom explains how he checks and double-checks all of his Filson gear to make sure it is all suitable for his trip. We all know you never want to be stuck in the field with some damaged goods.

One of the best parts going hunting or fishing is actually preparing for the trip. This may involve loading custom ammunition, tying flies, or fine tuning your bow. In my case, as a Filson fan who has acquired many different garments over the years, part of my preparation for any trip involves making sure that all of my Filson gear is ready for use.

Shelter and Tin Cloth

Photo Credit: Tom Slaughter

I use 4-5 Shelter and Tin Cloth Garments every year for 30+ days in the field.  I have a set of hunting pants, a shelter cloth jacket, a wool lined tin cap, etc.  All of the items require annual waxing, but prior to waxing, I inspect the garments’ buttons, snaps and the high wear spots.  This year, all of the buttons and snaps were in proper working order. However, the bottoms of my hunting pants needed a little attention.  There are a few different options available when repairing your Tin products, whether going directly through Filson @ 1-800-123-4567 or going to your local seamstress.*

Photo Credit: Tom Slaughter

Wool

My wool hunting bibs and coat has seen quite a few days in the field. The occasional barbed wire fence has not been very forgiving on the wool. Despite a few minor tears, which I have had repaired, these bibs and coat are incredibly resilient. I would recommend taking the wool garments for dry cleaning at the end of every season, not the beginning. Dry cleaning not only cleans the garments, but also cleans the “pores” of the wool which will maximize the breathability, water repellency, and odor control.

Boots

I have several pairs of Filson shoes and boots. The Highlander boot is by far the best pair of boots I have ever owned. At the beginning of every season, I order a couple bottles of boot oil, a new set of cork insoles, and a new set of laces. I not only oil the boots, but inspect for wear and take the time to replace the shoe laces if they show signs of wear. After all, the last thing you would want is to have a shoe lace break 5 miles from Elk camp. In addition, I keep a set of shoe trees installed in the boot. The shoe trees are a must for travel, helping the boots to keep their shape while being stuffed in a duffle bag.

The process of readying my clothing is just as important as the other preparations I make in anticipation of a hunt or fishing trip. With limited space to pack, limited resources at the hunting and fishing destination, and the potential for unanticipated weather conditions, having clothing that is durable, practical, and comfortable is key. Filson not only meets my needs, but exceeds all of my expectations.

*If you choose to use a local tailor or seamstress for your hemming needs, it is important to make sure that the shop has the capability to sew heavy garments.  Additionally, one idea to keep in mind if you order your garments un-hemmed is that you can ask the seamstress to save the leftovers for future patches. I have learned that not only do my local seamstress and dry cleaner provide great service; the owners of both shops have stated that they are impressed with the quality of my Filson clothing.

Judith O’Keefe loves being on the river and always jumps on her next opportunity to land a “big one.” Yet Judith didn’t even think twice about taking a weekend off to volunteer at a Casting for Recovery Retreat, where she could share her expertise in fly fishing with a few women battling breast cancer.

Two weeks ago, I had the honor and pleasure of volunteering at a Casting for Recovery Retreat. CFR is a nationally recognized, non-profit organization, which was founded in 1996 by a breast cancer reconstructive surgeon and a professional fly fisher.  This organization focuses on wellness by offering free 2 ½ day retreats for women in any stage of breast cancer treatment or recovery.  At the retreat, women learn basic fly fishing skills.  The dynamics of the sport provide a healing connection to the natural world, and fly casting techniques provide gentle exercise for joints and soft tissue.

This particular retreat was held in beautiful Camp Sherman, OR at the picturesque Lake Creek Lodge.  There were fourteen participants and ten volunteer staff in attendance.  I was there to assist with casting instruction and to serve as a photographer.  Except my primary reason for volunteering at this CFR retreat was the opportunity it gave me to meet these courageous women, and if lucky, to get to know a little about who they are, and what inspires them to put one foot in front of the other each day. While every woman at the Camp Sherman retreat was special and brought something unique to the group, one woman in particular stood out.  Heidi was full of joy and determination.  In the world of those who fish often, where frequently the talk turns to – how big or how many – it is rare and refreshing to see someone so intent on just catching a fish.  Saturday was spent learning the basics: equipment, knot tying and flies, casting and entomology. Sunday was reserved for fishing.  On this day, each participant had a “river helper” to give guidance as needed.  The ladies and their helpers circled the stocked pond, found a promising piece of water and fished.  Like the others, Heidi casted her line, retrieved it, and casted again, and again.  The fish weren’t particularly cooperative on this sunny autumn day, but a few fish were caught.  Heidi landed two, and if her delight and enthusiasm could be bottled and distributed, the world would be a better place. Heidi’s son and his wife make their living as fly fishing guides, and now we know where that talent originated.

Photographer and adventurer, Mikael Kennedy, takes us on an insightful journey through his favorite places to photograph in the US. We’re biased to the Oregon coast, of course!

I was asked recently what my 5 favorite places to photograph. The simple answer is anywhere on the road; give me 2 lanes of black top, a camera and a car, but to break it down further here are my 5 favorite places.

In California I tend to shoot up and down the PCH aimlessly. Last time I was west I based out of San Francisco and just rode the coast for days, 100 miles north, 100 miles south, 100 miles north again. Second on the list is easily New Mexico but it could be anywhere in the South West. They say there is something about being dwarfed by the mountains. Living right near the base of them, as many artists have done over the years, you are humbled, given a different vision of the world from their proximity. For years I was in and out of Portland, OR; I almost moved there several times. There is a tunnel in downtown that I swear you enter in the heart of the city and come out in the middle of the rain forest, it transports you completely.  From there hop on Route 26 and ride it straight out to Cannon beach, you will not be disappointed. Number four is based on the fact that I can’t always get as far away as I’d like, so when I can’t fully escape NYC I’ll often take a drive 45 minutes north to Bear Mountain. The road to the top is closed during winter but those few weeks before the snow shuts it down are beautiful. The final place on my list covers both east and west: the islands of the North coasts. In years past I’ve worked the harvest on my friends vineyard on Lopez Island, WA and explored Peaks Island in Maine during the Sacred & Profane art festival. There is something about the Island life on both coasts that is so similar, so wild, and feels so much like home to me.

001. The California Coast:

002. New Mexico

“untitled” from the series ‘The Odysseus’ ©Mikael Kennedy 2007

003. Oregon Coast

“untitled” from the series ‘The Odysseus’ ©Mikael Kennedy 2007

004. Bear Mountain, NY

“peaks island” from the series ‘The Odysseus’ ©Mikael Kennedy 2009

“iceberg point” from the series ‘The Odysseus’ ©Mikael Kennedy 2009