It was the Fall turkey hunt in Wisconsin. November had come upon us all at once – the oaks were speckled with frost and the skies over the North Woods were threatening an Autumn hale flash. The truck was throaty as we navigated the back roads, dusk coming on. Two sons, two daughters and a golden labrador in the bucket seats. My husband, Ed, was at the wheel. I could see his tension through the dark. His hide gloves clutching the stickshift, the collar of his slate Mackinaw pulled high against the chill. I knew what the double breastpockets held – hank of twine, matches, the pearl-handled penknife from his World War II veteran father. That sector of woods is waterfall country. Drops and turns in the rivers lead to crashing walls of whitewater. I was thinking this, just as an icy curtain of mist began to thrash our windows. The kids fell silent. Even Bragg, our lab, had sobered. I knew what Ed was considering. I smiled. “They can make it through the night if we have to.” At that moment the hood growled and I clenched Ed’s arm as he wrangled the wheel to ease us onto the dark road shoulder. Mae, our youngest, had cried out fearfully in the backseat. “We’re alright,” Ed reassured. I grabbed the flashlight as Ed popped the hood. “It’s the serpentine,” I said, taking one look at the mangled belt. The night was in turmoil. Winds and sharp mist beat against our faces and the pine boughs over our heads whipped and snapped. Ed shook his head. “I can’t fix this. Not here.” The road was so dark, the storm so foreboding. But we had blankets, water, and kids with grit. I said so. Ed smiled at my bravado. “I’ll take Bragg and Jike,” he said. “I need you to stay here with the others and a signal light.” We had a terse conference with the kids. Mae whimpered. It was then Ed knelt, and pulled off his Cruiser. He draped it around her shoulders before turning. No one spoke. We waited. We clung to hope. Then we saw a light approaching. Help had returned.

Most folks come to Kalaloch in the beautiful months of July through September, but as a professional forester this is not always the case. In times like these it is always a safe bet to have a Filson on hand. So, on a wet and dreary day on Kalaloch Ridge there I was cruising a timber sale. Thinking nothing of it I grabbed my Mackinaw Cruiser and headed out. The rain was coming down in sheets and the wind was lashing the timber, but for me? I was dry and focused. That’s Filson quality speaking volumes in a lonely place with no room for error. On the coast a Filson is as good as rain gear, and on those fall days I look forward to braving the elements with my Mackinaw.

Share your own memories about your Filson Mackinaw Cruiser. We want to hear who wore it, where it’s been and how it performed for you. You can include photos or not. If you just want to send a photo, that’s OK, too. We will go through all the stories and select the best. The winner will receive a free new Mackinaw Cruiser. Click here to enter.

Tyler Sharp is a writer, photographer and filmmaker based in Austin, TX. He’s currently working to preserve the Chisholm Trail and pass Bill HR2849 which would designate the trail as a National Historic Trail. You can learn more about Tyler and the Chisholm Trail Project at www.tylersharp.com

In 1981, my father and his three best friends traveled to the Paradise Valley area of Montana for business. After their work was done, they spent four days fishing in the Yellowstone River, and were hooked, literally, for life. Despite their busy careers, family lives, and commitments, they all managed to come back every year for the last 30.

Growing up, I remember seeing photos of their annual trips, and being told stories of their adventures and mishaps in the Big Sky Country of Montana; the grandeur of the scenery, the pristine conditions, and the occasional wayward wildlife that came too close for comfort. And though I had been fly fishing before, I had never been on THE fishing trip with them.

After so many years, they all decided it was time to pass on the tradition to the next generation, so my brother and I were invited on the trip this time. But our joining the group had more significance than just passing a tradition on; we were to help them do something they had wanted to do for several years, something of emotional and symbolic significance.

Four years ago, their friend, trip leader, and fishing mentor passed away. To honor his memory, they all vowed to never miss a year of the trip, do what they could to keep the tradition alive, and hold the same reverence for the Paradise Valley that he did. They had talked of doing a ceremony of some kind several times, and approached me to help them carry it out.

I had them all select their favorite photographs of him from their previous fishing trips, and think of their favorite stories and memories to share. Over the course of the trip, I had them share these stories on video, and say anything they didn’t get to say before, knowing the end result would be something they could watch, and remember forever. At the end of the trip, I was to have them burn the photographs, and release the ashes in the Yellowstone River, where their friend truly belonged.

It was such an honor to be able to come on this trip, and even more so to help my dad and his friends find a meaningful outlet for the love and respect they had for this man. And though we have all lost someone dear to us, we have not all taken the time to do something like this.

And so the following videos, in three parts, document something that we should all consider doing, whether they’re living or deceased; to honor a friend.

At Filson, “Might as Well Have the Best” doesn’t stop at the product– we’ve got the most talented team of employees around that live and breathe  Filson in and out of the offices. Today we chat with Brad Beatty, Assistant Store Manager of our Seattle Flagship. If there’s a department you’d like to see interviewed, leave us a comment below!

Brad Beatty, Asst Store Manager

How long have you been with Filson:

10 years

What do you do on a typical work day: 

I try to ensure that the customers that visit the Flagship Store, many of whom have made a special effort to make that visit, have the best possible experience.

What makes working at Filson different than other places:

The people who work at Filson.  Many started answering the phones in Customer Service and are now in management positions.  They truly know the product and the customer.

Brad Beatty, Asst Store Manager

What is your favorite product:

Hard to narrow down.  Merino wool base layers have to be right up there.  The original Wonder Fabric!

What is one of your most memorable stories in your Filson gear: 

On December 1, 2012, my friend and I were driving over Snoqualmie Pass to go upland bird hunting in Central Washington.  We hit a patch of black ice and were involved in a serious roll over accident.  Luckily we, (and the dogs!) were not seriously injured, but we were forced to be outside for hours in the 17 degree conditions waiting for the tow truck and cleaning up the aftermath.  I was head to toe in my Filson hunting gear, starting with those wool base layers, as was my friend, and was comfortable the entire time.  Worrying about hypothermia, which was a definite possibility, was not an additional stress we needed at that time.

Brad Beatty, Asst Store Manager

What’s your favorite thing to do in Seattle or the Pacific Northwest region?

Anything outdoors!  Fly fishing, both fresh and saltwater, is my #1 passion, but I also enjoy upland bird hunting, turkey hunting, hiking and snowshoeing.  My arsenal of Filson gear serves me well in all those pursuits.

What’s coming up at Filson that you’re excited about: 

Expanded Extra Long product selection!  (I am 6’6”.)

Thank you, Brad!

My wife recently suggested that I “trade” in my Filson wool coat and receive $60 off a new one. Why would she suggest such a thing? First of all, I’ve had this coat longer than she’s been my wife and we’ve been married 30 years. Second of all, this coat is in perfect condition. I saved my money in high school and bought this coat in the late 70s. I have worn it every hunting season since. Not only have I worn it, but so has my son and several friends. One friend borrowed it for a “once in a lifetime” hunting trip to Colorado. I have taken excellent care of this coat for many years and it’s taken excellent care of me. A new coat would be nice, but this one will last me a life time and no doubt I will be able to pass it down to one of my four grandsons. Excellent quality, excellent product, no need to replace it, however, I would like to know if you had many takers on trading in their old coats. I kind of doubt it though! Bruce Rose Marble NC

Share your own memories about your Filson Mackinaw Cruiser. We want to hear who wore it, where it’s been and how it performed for you. You can include photos or not. If you just want to send a photo, that’s OK, too. We will go through all the stories and select the best. The winner will receive a free new Mackinaw Cruiser. Click here to enter.

Filson Marketing Team

At Filson, “Might as Well Have the Best” doesn’t stop at the product– we’ve got the most talented team of employees around that live and breathe  Filson in and out of the offices. Today we chat with Amy Terai, our Marketing Manager. If there’s a department you’d like to see interviewed, leave us a comment below!

How long have you been with Filson:

8 years

What do you do on a typical work day:

Well, after I…

“Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen Pour myself a cup of ambition

And yawn and stretch and try to come to life

Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumping

Out on the street the traffic starts jumping
With folks like me on the job from nine to five” –Dolly (my personal favorite)

I usually spend most of the day communicating the good “Filson word” to our PR and Social teams, generate marketing assets to support all our sales channels and keep up to date with all our partners. I also laugh a lot and have fun working with my fellow Filsonites.

What makes working at Filson different than other places:

It’s inspiring to be a part of a brand that shares such strong connections with our customers. Our customers are Filson loyalists and are constantly sharing their amazing stories with us. It’s one big Filson family: passionate customers and passionate co-workers that respect the rich heritage of Filson.

What is your favorite product:

I can’t pick one, so I’ll give you my top five:

Women’s Elliott Bay Jacket: perfect for Seattle rainy day dog walks and tough enough for an outer shell when upland hunting

Women’s Shelter Cloth Brush Pants: no barb wire fence or nasty burr can penetrate these pants

Rugged Twill Tote Bag: great work bag that holds an iPad, magazines, lunch and purse and only gets better with use

Women’s Mackinaw Vest: versatile piece that you can easily layer under a jacket when it’s cold but is stylish enough to wear around town

Rugged Twill Medium Duffle: great travel bag for business trips or a weekend get-away where you have to pack a lot of gear

Amy Dove Hunt 2012

What is one of your most memorable stories in your Filson gear:

I’m pulling this one from my brag book… I was a bit nervous and intimidated to go on my first Mourning Dove hunt. People kept telling me that they are hard to hit since they are small, fast and turn quickly in flight. My hunting partner is pretty much a master shooter and generally doesn’t miss a target. He thought he had dropped a dove in the field and went to retrieve it. When he got close, he discovered the bird wasn’t dead and it took flight. He tried to take another shot but missed. As he was rapidly reloading, I saw the bird crossing in my direction and pulled the trigger and dropped it! I was shocked and my hunting partner was equally shocked and impressed since I was 65 yards away from the bird. It was a proud moment when I was able to back a master shooter in the field and fill my Tin Cloth Shooting Bag’s game pocket with a hard to hit Mourning Dove.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Seattle or the Pacific Northwest region?

There are some many wonderful recreational activities to do in the Pacific Northwest. Some of my favorite activities are mushroom picking with my dad in the mountains and shoot sporting clays at Seattle Skeet and Trap.

What’s coming up at Filson that you’re excited about (volunteer day, product, etc):
I’m super excited to hunt with Scott Linden in Utah this fall and float the Grande Ronde River and learn how to fish for Steelhead with the incredible fly fisher-woman, Judith O’Keefe.

I saw your recent promotion to give $60 trade in my Mackinaw Wool Cruiser. Based on my experience I doubt you will get many takers. My red/black double Mackinaw is about 20 years old and still looks like it just came out of the box. Since I have gained 20lbs in 20 years I can’t bundle up as much underneath it, but with just a wool shirt on it still fits great.

If there were a way to magically turn it from a 48L to a 50L that would be good but there is no way I would trade it in (would be like losing a good friend). If the coat could tell stories it would tell of going to winter Dog Sled School in upper Michigan, a dude ranch in fall in Montana and multiple spring/fall canoe trips in upper Michigan. The coat would tell of the many, many past fine nights at the campfire with friends and with predict of going hiking this fall at the Grand Canyon. It would tell of being regularly selected from among the owner’s other coats due to its comfort/utility (due to time tested design) plus its great looks. It might also mention that it rarely sees another Filson, and maybe that’s because most people can’t recognize the value in high quality and have no experience with the best.

Share your own memories about your Filson Mackinaw Cruiser. We want to hear who wore it, where it’s been and how it performed for you. You can include photos or not. If you just want to send a photo, that’s OK, too. We will go through all the stories and select the best. The winner will receive a free new Mackinaw Cruiser. Click here to enter.

Back in 2007, I bought my Mackinaw used off of an auction website.  I will not mention the name, but it rhymes with fleabay. The coat was in like new condition but a tad bit too big. At this time I was six foot one and 260 lbs!!!! I was a big boy. So after I received my coat I took it to the dry cleaners, had it cleaned and taken in a bit. Now it fit perfect! I wore this coat everywhere! It kept me so warm! I must say I looked very good in this thing!!! So after winter I put it away till next winter.

In the mean time I decided it was time to lose some weight. Not thinking about the impact this might have on my beloved coat, I went on a strict diet and exercise plan. By the very next winter I was down to 180lbs!!! This was great! All except one big problem, my coat was still a little on the big side before, now it was way too big!! I took it back to the cleaners and asked to have it taken in again. They said there was no way unless we did some serous alterations. Even then they didn’t think it would be right, there was just too much to take off. So I decided I would just get a new one. I passed my favorite coat I have ever worn off to a friend in need and decided I would just buy another one. Well it turns out the size I need now is very popular and sells on that same auction website for almost the price of a new one! Life keeps getting in the way and I just can’t seem to get the money together to get a new one. I know my story is not amazing enough to win, but I thought I would share anyway!  Someday I will own another one for sure, and all is not lost. My friend still wears that coat every year so at least it lives on and someone else is happy with it!

Share your own memories about your Filson Mackinaw Cruiser. We want to hear who wore it, where it’s been and how it performed for you. You can include photos or not. If you just want to send a photo, that’s OK, too. We will go through all the stories and select the best. The winner will receive a free new Mackinaw Cruiser. Click here to enter.

Rhon Bell of Backwoods Plaid, shares the feelings and stories that accompany a kayaking trip in Maine.

The best companion

Standing barefoot on a sandy river bank, we peer with anticipation across the deadwater that we’ll soon be paddling to begin our journey.  Our destination is a remote

chain of lakes deep in the heart of the Maine woods that are connected to this river system. Kayaking and exploring will put both our muscles and fortitude to the test over the next four days. This adventure will be different than the others as roped behind my kayak, in a dinghy, will be my 90 lb. English Lab, Casco. I’ve held true to my promise of never kenneling him. He makes for great company.

Filson gear is packed

After packing our boats to the gills with gear, we set out upon our journey. Casco immediately finds comfort by laying his head on my Filson Tin Cloth Duffle that I secured in front of him. Casco watches with intent as we float past the ancient tall pines (survivors from centuries of timber harvests and log drives). These beautifully calm waters hold a crystal clear reflection of tremendous blue morning skies.

Our first evening stay is on a secluded sandy beach. After unloading, we wade out into the warm lake for an evening swim. The only ripples to interfere with the mirror-like finish on the water’s surface are caused by our splashing. This refreshing dip washes away the afternoon sweat. A classic meal of beans and hotdogs is warmed atop a small cook stove for dinner. With full bellies and tuckered-out bodies, we gather firewood. Flint and steel produce a blazing spark which ignites a birch bark tinder bundle. Evening hours are spent sharing stories fireside, under the light of a waxing moon; we soon retire to our respective tents.

This would serve as the first and last pleasant day on the water. A relentless evening rain sets in and lingered for the remainder of our stay. Luckily, my valuable gear was meticulously packed inside my Filson Tin Cloth Duffle and remained dry for the four full days. Each afternoon we hauled our kayaks to shore and sprang beneath a heavy cover of spruce for lunch. I half expected to find my headlamp, clothes, food, camera, and tent soaked; to my surprise the bag was seemingly impenetrable.

Filson gear

Filson Antique Tin Cloth pants did their best to shield me from the downpours. The Vintage Plaid shirts kept me cool and my arms from becoming burnt from sun behind the cloud cover. My Filson gear held up miraculously under some of the worst conditions I’ve been through. The weather doesn’t always cooperate and that’s why we all should require the best gear available. So the slogan goes – “You might as well have the best!”

At Filson, “Might as Well Have the Best” doesn’t stop at the product– we’ve got the most talented team of employees around that live and breathe  Filson in and out of the offices. Today we chat with Nathan Gray, our Portland Store Manager. If there’s a department you’d like to see interviewed, leave us a comment below!

Nathan Gray, Portland Store Manager

How long have you been with Filson:

I’ve worked for Filson for 5 years. I’ve been a customer for about 15 years. I used to spend so much time in the Seattle flagship store trading fishing and hunting stories that David Perry, the Seattle sto

re manager, suggested I just go to work for Filson. About a year later, burnt out in the commission sales world, I asked David for a job. Working for Fils

on has been a great experience so far. It’s amazing how cool it is to go to work when you’re passionate about the products and the company.

What do you do on a typical work day:

Managing a retail store involves some book-keeping and office work, teaching and coaching, as well as visual merchandising and inventory management. But the most rewarding part is being able to help our customers find the perfect product for their needs. The location of our Portland store brings in many customers who are not familiar with the Filson brand, and it’s always fun to be an ambassador for Filson, introducing new customers to our brand.

What makes working at Filson different than other places:

Filson operates with the same values and commitment to quality that we started with back in the Gold Rush. Integrity and doing things right are still important. It’s great to have my personal values reflected in Filson products, and in the way that Filson operates.

What is your favorite product:

I have several favorite products for different tasks. For upland hunting, it’s my Single Tin Pants. My Small Field Bag gets used everyday, but I’d have to say my Jac-Shirt is the most versatile garment I own.

Nathan Gray’s GSP Mahli

What is one of your most memorable stories in your Filson gear:

It was the last day of the pheasant hunting season in Washington, and my GSP was 7 months old. I’d driven about 5 hours and the snow was coming down hard. Mahli hadn’t hunted pheasants in the snow before, and completely lost any semblance of control. For 5 hours she chased every peasant in the county to the horizon, and I don’t think I ever raised my shotgun. When we got back to the truck I had about 3 inches of snow piled up on my Insulated Packer Hat and on the shoulders of my Shelter Cloth Upland Jacket, but I was dry and comfortable. The grin on Mahli’s face told me that bird hunting is more about the great times in the field with your buddy than it is about shooting birds.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Seattle or the Pacific Northwest region?

There’s no place I’d rather be than walking in eastern Oregon or Washington behind a great pointing dog. It used to be that fly-fishing was the activity that I most looked forward to, but now that takes back seat to the upland season each fall.

What’s coming up at Filson that you’re excited about (volunteer day, product, etc):

I’m very excited to see the re-issue of our Forestry Cloth Cruiser this fall. We’ve had so many customers ask about them over the years, so hopefully we can make a lot of people happy.

Anything additional you want to add before we sign off?

I always hear stories about Filson products being handed down from one generation to the next. It’s pretty neat to see that in practice with my father wearing my deceased great uncle’s Mackinaw Cruiser.

Thanks, Nathan!