Dennis Lynch has been around the outdoors his entire life and understands what gear you need for your favorite outdoor activity. But in this addition to Filson Life, Dennis explains how he creates his Christmas List that includes a bounty of Filson gear.

Planning your Christmas shopping list can drive you crazy. Especially when your hoping to get your spouse that special something and ask, “What would you like for Christmas” only to get the responses, ” Oh, can’t think of a thing,” “Got everything I need,” or the dreaded, “Whatever.” And if you actually got them nothing, it’s sure to land you in the dog house.

I make this matter so simple for my beloved. I have a time tested system that has produced a bounty of great Christmas gifts and makes it easy for my wife.

The System 

At the beginning of the year, I’ll find the Filson winter catalogue in my mailbox. I do a quick browse through and then go through it again for a more detailed inspection. When I see an item that looks perfect for my favorite outdoor activity, I put a star on the photo. If the item is “to die for” it gets a maximum of three stars. After doing my due diligence, I see what pages have the “three star” prospects and unceremoniously rip that page from the catalogue and place it in my side table drawer. As the new Filson catalogues arrive throughout the year, I religiously follow the same procedure and by late fall I have several pages of “great” Christmas gift ideas. All ranked by the star system and then rated from top to bottom by page order. Then, of course, Santa (my wife) has to calculate how good or not good one has been throughout the year in order to make a decision. And, of course, budgetary constraints come into play.

Over the many years, this system has worked out great and has enabled me to gather a bounty of Filson products. When I returned from a recent hunting trip to South Dakota, my Filson bag was a venerable cornucopia of upland gear. I took an inventory and it seemed like everything I wore or used was one of my Filson practical and long wearing items.

Shirts, sweaters, boots, jackets duffle bags, Tin Cloth dog bowl, chaps, field pants, socks, vest, etc., –All these items and more where from my annual Christmas harvest– courtesy of Santa via my wonderful wife, Susan.

Filson is truly timeless.

Merry Christmas and have a Filson New Year!

The List

1.  iPhone Case

2.  Money Clip Card Holder

3.  Mackinaw Tin Cloth Vest

4.  Filson Slubbed T-Shirt

5.  Feather Cloth Fly Fishing Shirt

6.  Dry Finish Fishing Waist Pack

7.  Tin Cloth 505 Pants

8.  And of course, a Bridle Leather Belt, in size 32.

Maine-based Rhon Bell of Backwoods Plaid, takes Filson along for a trip through the backwoods of Northern Maine and the sights you see along the way. 

Growing up in the woods of Northern Maine, like most wild states, hunting was a family occasion. Like the hunting land we’ll tramp across today, the skills of game scouting have been passed down from my Grandfather. Keeping the tradition alive, I’m heading out with my cousin, Shawn, in search of hopeful signs that Whitetail Deer are present this season.

Our old map leads us, on foot, down a narrow woods path. The destination lies a couple hundred yards east of a power line and just West of several ridges. Three miles in and mid-way up a small hollow we sit down to take a breather. Shawn slips off the 30-30 that has been handed down through the family, and rests the rifle at his side. Morning temperatures hover above freezing and cause heavy steam to rise from our Thermos. Coffee always tastes better in the field.  Our talking immediately hushes as we hear heavy steps coming from the exposed field to our right. A cow and her calf appear from beyond the back side of a knoll and within a few short moments the two are in clear view; their silhouettes boldly standing out against the blue skyline.

The bustling of opening my day pack and grabbing my camera quickly draw their stare. Side by side they peer down at me across the opening. I rush to adjust the camera settings in hopes of a perfect exposure and begin snapping away. I grew up in this area and have seen many a moose, but this was special. As a young man, it wasn’t uncommon to see 30 moose in a single field, grazing on the frozen stems of a harvested broccoli field.

It is apparent with each step the cow takes that her front right leg had been injured. Perhaps the injury occurred while defending herself, or her calf, against a small pack of coyotes. No matter how it happened, the limping makes you feel for the wild beast as she tenders it with every step forward. The two soon ignore our presence and continue onward toward their rightful destination. I feel lucky to have been in the right place at the right time.

We gather our gear and press ahead ourselves. Scavenging the area, we find multiple early scrapes. It’s not far and we find a daytime resting area where these deer are bedding down. Judging by the size of the droppings nearby, we have a large deer on our hands, possibly a mature buck. We’ll be looking forward to opening day. You simply never realize the joys you’ll encounter in the out-of-doors until you put yourself there.

Peter Patenaude, a registered Maine guide, has been a Filson advocate for over six years. His blog Boot & Canoe, focuses on traditional skills and Maine’s outdoor heritage. Peter shares some more tips for a successful partridge hunt. 

Partridge hunting can be a difficult thing. Chasing those small brown and tan chickens through the woods is sometimes a very frustrating experience, even if you have fully prepared for, and researched, the hunt. When starting out, a dog spoiled me by letting me know when a grouse was nearby. She was a great companion that taught me many lessons and will surely never be replaced– I think her last lesson was to teach me how to find small game on my own. Over many seasons spent in the woods, with both successful and unsuccessful trips, I have come to realize certain patterns and tricks for finding birds.

1. Habitat- Look in wet places; I will often jump multiple grouse after originally only spotting one, so be ready.

2. Trees- Do not only look on the ground. Partridge will often sit up in trees and you can commonly see groups of 4 or 5 of them in the same one.

3. Listen- I cannot count how many birds I have found by hearing them walk in the leaves.

4. Time and Temperature- Pay attention to both of these. You will start to notice a pattern of when certain roads and areas “turn on.”

5. Stop- When walking, a bird will hold up and wait for you to pass by. If you stop, it will get nervous and bust, giving you your shot.

6. Look- Let yourself take everything in and your eyes will pick up on movement– usually the neck and head.

7. Search- It is very easy to lose a bird after it has been shot. If possible, they will always find fallen trees or brush to bury themselves under, so take your time and search these areas and you will usually walk out with one in hand.

Judith O’Keefe loves the great outdoors whether she’s out in the field or on the river she enjoys share it with her dogs, Cooper, Skeeter, and Bug. These loyal companions are as at home in the outdoors as they are by the fireplace. In August she added another addition to her furry family, Blitzen. 

This past summer I had no intention, none what so ever, of taking on a puppy.  I have three dogs.  My beloved Pudelpointer, Cooper, a small and easygoing Havanese named Skeeter, and a mixed-breed rescue we call Bug.  Already too many dirty paws and wagging tails, not to mention the noise and commotion that takes place when the UPS delivery person knocks on the door.

However I believe, one of the saddest truths in life is that dogs do not live long enough.  Somewhere along the line, we learn some things in life are just not fair.  Well, this sorry fact is at the top of my list.  All three of my dogs are in good health, but have reached senior status.

Cooper, who some have referred to as, “a hunting machine”, was also blessed with a big heart and wonderful disposition.  So when Bob Farris, owner of Cedarwood Gun Dogs, emailed this June to say that one of his bitches had just had a litter of pups, I was interested, but my practical side quickly took hold.  Then Bob mentioned that the stud that sired the litter was the same that sired the litter Cooper came from . . . and this would be his last.  All reason went out the window; my last chance to have a dog that would be so directly related to Cooper.  When do I pick her up?

August was sweltering with temperatures reaching into the triple digits as I found myself driving across eastern Oregon’s High Desert to Boise, Idaho.   Bob knew I wanted, not only a great companion, but also a dog that would hunt like a champ; a dog with beauty, natural ability, and a heart of gold.   A tall order, but Cedarwood had come through before.

Blitzen, named after my favorite river in the southeast corner of Oregon, is now five months old, and I have to admit, I’ve mouthed the words, “What was I thinking” many times.  She’s a puppy, and in her zeal to explore and learn, she can make a real mess.  She’s tortured the older dogs incessantly, treating them like chew toys, and if I’d let her, she would consume enough dog food to make a Great Dane fat.

There are those who have suggested that my decision to get her was somewhat impulsive, but I have never doubted that decision.  I know that with a firm and loving hand, she is going to grow into one extraordinary dog.  And did I mention . . . she can point?

Eaglerock Kennels has been breeding some of the finest English Setters ever to point a bird for over 38 years. These loyal companions are as at home in the outdoors as they are by the fireplace. Filson pro-staffer and manager of Eaglerock Kennels, Michael Thompson can thank his trusted Filson gear and good bloodlines for continued successful hunts in the field. 

We at Eaglerock Setters pride ourselves in a rich heritage of breeding, trialing, training, and hunting some of the finest English Setters available; the Eaglerock Setter.  Founded by the late John Yates and now continued by myself and my wife Tammy we have refined and refined again many of the finest bloodlines to produce the Eaglerock Setter; a companion gundog steeped in tradition and sure to please even the most discriminating upland gunner.

It was our goal to not only carry on the tradition of having fine dogs but also to make owning an Eaglerock an unique experience for our clients. Just as we have painstakingly researched and bred to provide an exceptional dog we are as particular in placing our dogs in homes where they will excel in all they do.  From birth until the puppy goes home clients are kept updated and informed on the pups progress. It is always exciting when they get their first bath, have a collar placed on them, walk on a lead, and of course point.  The interaction lends itself to clients who become friends.

Friday and Saturday November 2- 3, 2012 was our first Puppy Luncheon.  Clients traveled in from as far away as Maine and Michigan to participate.

On Friday I took the guys hunting over the of father of this litter and another couple of our setters.  We had a great hunt and it gave them the opportunity to see not only how our dogs hunted but also what gear we used.  This is my full time job so my suit of choice is Filson.  It can get pretty nasty in here in PA between the multi-floral roses and the weather so these guys got to see where their gear fell short.  Needless to say they borrowed Tin Chaps and Gamebags in an attempt to keep up.

Saturday was the luncheon which was a smashing success.  Clients got to visit and get to know each other, swap hunting and dog stories, and have a question and answer time all while playing with their new pups and enjoying a catered lunch.  There was a demo table set up with some of my new Filson gear, RST shotshells, and some training books from my predecessor John Yates.  At the close of the day the Purina sent everyone home with a tote bag filled with food samples, bowls, towels, and a Purina hat.  

This was yet the beginning of another tradition for us at Eaglerock.  Reputation is everything especially in this business and we stake ours on providing fine companion gundogs to great people, a task we could never accomplish without the help of companies like Filson, RST, and Purina.  They carry on and help us carry on the tradition of excellence in the field.

Growing up in a family of hunters & fishermen has lead Kristen Monroe of OutdoorNews.com to have passion for the outdoors. When she was young she loved waking up at the crack of dawn to go fishing with her older brother and dad. Although she was only allowed to fish for bluegills as a young girl she couldn’t wait until she was old enough to cast for her first bass. Now she and her husband are looking forward to taking their own children fishing and sharing passion for the outdoors with them.

Standing at the edge of a stream on a sunny fall day is breathtaking in Wisconsin. Early October salmon begin staging in the Sheboygan Harbor and the spawning run begins up the river.  Mike Wehmeier from Wolf Pack Adventures led our group of anglers to a long stretch of river that was loaded with gigantic spawning salmon.  What an ironic sight, watching the lifeless zombie salmon at the end of their life cycle and observing the females spread their eggs. After a Chinook spawns, it usually dies within two weeks.  I stepped into the river to test my waders and felt the pressure from the water surround my leg.  Oh good, no leaks just a brisk chill from the river.  Wading in the stream is fun to begin with.  Just add a fly rod to the mix on a beautiful fall day and another awesome outdoor memory is created.

I persistently dangled my line in the same spot over an hour trying to gain interest from an energetic king salmon.  There lay a group of seven salmon, surly one of them would bite.  To fight a healthy thirty pound king salmon with a fly rod would certainly be exciting.  Every once in a while I would catch a glimpse of a brown or a steelhead making its way up the river.  I switched between pink spawn sacks and assorted flies putting forth my best effort to entice them.  I tried everything, landing the fly so it had enough time to sink into the strike zone and drift down stream perfectly in front of their eyes.   I began roll casting like a mad woman trying to engage one of the spunky silver fish to bite while evading the zombie fish.  It’s illegal to catch one by a snag and defiantly not something to be proud of.

Since the fish have low appetites this time of year getting the salmon to strike is not easy.  The key to success- agitate them.  Sight fishing for kings is as frustrating as it is fun. It’s maddening because they are right there, practically close enough to grab.  Yet, most would not respond to my taunts.  Finally, after many casts over a two day stretch I fought a king right into the Frabill net.  It’s important to let monster fish run when they need to.   I made the mistake of reeling to fast the day before and saw my line snap.  Yes, I was the one who told the story of the thirty pound fish that got away around the dinner table.  Lesson learned; always let a big fish run when it wants to, no matter how anxious you are.

Visit www.wolfpackadventures.com for fishing and hunting adventures in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

As a talented photographer from New York City, Mikael Kennedy, is always on the go, escaping from the city to calmer ground with his Filson tote and camera. This time Mikael takes you along on the journey of his Filson gear and behind the lens of his camera.

Tin Cruiser – Prince St. NYC

Pocket Detail of Tin Cruiser – Prince St. NYC

Medium Duffle + 300SD Turbo, Vermont

Extra Large Duffle at El Cosmico Hotel, Marfa, TX

Medium Duffle at Nava Studios, Putney, VT

Drying the Field Coat, Brooklyn, NY

Field Coat, Brooklyn, NY

Brian McGeehan leads annual hosted trips to Patagonia and is the owner and outfitter of Montana Angler Fly Fishing in Bozeman, MT.  He has been guiding fly fishing trips in Montana and Colorado for 18 seasons.  Montana Angler offers trips to both Chile and Argentina and works with a variety of lodges in South America.

When you have a conversation with an avid angler that has travelled the globe in search of wild trout a few locations quickly surface: Montana, Alaska, Kamchatka, New Zealand and Patagonia.  Each destination has its own allure and I have had the good fortune of visiting all of them and make my home in Montana as a fly fishing guide and outfitter.  Of the locations listed above Montana has some of the most diverse fishing conditions on the planet with a density of big float rivers, technical spring creeks, tailwaters, trophy stillwaters and productive small streams that is hard to match.  Montana is also relatively easy to get to for North American Anglers so we also see our fair share of visiting fisherman on public waters.  Of the international destinations that I have visited, Patagonia is the region that offers the unique blend of different waters similar to the Northern Rockies with far fewer anglers.  On my trips to Argentina and Chile I often feel that I am stepping back in time and experiencing what Montana was like 50 or 75 years ago.  My favorite region to target on trips to Patagonia is the central region which receives less fishing pressure than the more famous northern area where fly fishing in Argentina was first developed.

Where is Patagonia?
Patagonia simply refers to the Southern Andes and overlaps both Chile and Western Argentina.  We can loosely break up Patagonia into three distinct sections: North, Central and South.  Northern Patagonia is home to the most famous South American trout rivers including the Chimehuin, Collan Cura, Alumine, Malleo, Limay and Traful.  In the North the vast majority of the fishing is on private estancias.  Some of the rivers can also be accessed by bridges on float trips.  This region of Patagonia sees more anglers than any other but is still magnificent with some of the world’s classic trout rivers.  Southern Patagonia is most famous for its sea run brown trout in Tierra del Fuego and the Santa Cruz province.  Rivers like the Rio Grande must be fished by booking a week at one of the lodges on the estancias that have access to the legendary fishery where the average trout weighs twelve pounds.  Fishing in the South generally means that you will be fishing a single river on the entire trip in very windy conditions for some of the biggest brown trout in the world.  The topic of this post is Central Patagonia which provides a great variety of classic trout fishing.  This is my personal favorite portion of Patagonia to fish because of the variety that it offers and the lack of pressure.

Getting to Central Patagonia

One of the reasons that Central Patagonia receives less anglers than in the North is because it is a bit harder to get to.  Most anglers fishing in the North fly into Bariloche which receives about 8 flights a day from Buenos Aires.  The fishing in the central part of Patagonia is anywhere from 3-8 hours from Bariloche by vehicle so it is best to fly into Esquel which only receives one flight a day on just 4 days of the week.  If you are targeting the Argentine side of Patagonia and the Futaleufu region of Chile you fly into Buenos Aires.  Generally you leave the US on an evening flight and arrive the next morning.  Because the airport for domestic flights to Esquel is on the other side of Buenos Aires it is best to spend one night in the capital city and then leave for Esquel the next day.  There are a few good outfitters and lodges within an hour and a half of Esquel as well as some independent guides.

Lodges, Independent Guides and DIY
I have had some friends visit Argentina and do all of their fishing on their own and they had a great trip with mixed success on the fishing side of the equation.  While there are some fisheries that you can access from bridges a lot of the best fishing is on private estancias or big rivers that are floated.  If you are up for an adventure and don’t mind burning some days on wild goose chases that don’t pan out then this can be a fun option since Patagonia is easy to travel around with a rental car and relatively safe.  There are also independent guides based in Esquel that can take you onto some of the public waters and National Park waters if they have the correct permits.  On the Chilean side lodges are the main option and DIY is very difficult.  Lodges on both sides of the border are a great option since most have access to private estancias that they lease and have permission on but of course they are the most expensive option.  In general on my trips I am hosting a group of anglers and we always stay at lodges.

The Rivers and Lakes
The landscape varies dramatically in Central Patagonia depending on how close to the Pacific Ocean you are.  In general on the Chilean side it is very wet with rugged fjiords and resembles coastal Washington in climate.  The rivers on the Chilean side get big fast due to the amount of moisture in the region.  In Chile it takes much more effort to travel from one river system to the next because of the rugged topography so you will generally focus on just a handful of river systems when fishing out of the few lodges in Central Patagonia on the Chilean side.  On the Argentine side the landscape varies from timbered Montana like scenery to very dry scenery like that near central Wyoming.  Travelling from river to river in Argentina is much easier since the topography is more open east of the Andes.  The fisheries offer incredible variety ranging from huge rivers like the Futeleufu/Yelcho system in Chile to small and intimate spring creeks in Argentina.  My favorite aspect of a Central Patagonia trip is that you can see a wide variety of rivers, streams and lakes and often fish a different river, stream or lake each day.  I also enjoy the option of combining both Chile and Argentina on the same trip.  The Futaleufu River system is just inside of the Chilean border and one of our favorite partners is the Futa Lodge which is run by my friend Brian McKnight.  Futa is easily accessed from Esquel, Argentina and it is really nice to spend a few days in Chile fishing the Futaleufu River, the Yelcho and Lago Yelcho and then head back into Argentina for the great diversity that is offered there.  The perk of fishing on the Chilean side is that there is so little pressure even on the big rivers.  The advantage on the Argentine side is that it is much easier to go from river to river and see a wide diversity.  If you are fishing the smaller estancia waters in Argentina you can also expect very limited pressure.

On Patagonia trips I rarely find the need to nymph fish since the dry fly and streamer fishing is so good.  Much of the fishing is sight casting to rainbows in the 19-20” range.  Some of the browns go much larger and they often succumb to streamer fishing.  There are some lakes in both Chile and Argentina that hold some massive fish that easily go over ten pounds such as those in the Rio Pico region of Argentina or Lago Yelcho in Chile.

Tackle
We use the same equipment in Patagonia that we use in Montana.  I normally bring a 5,6 and 7 weight rod with me along with floating lines.  On my seven weight I also have a 200 grain sink tip for streamer fishing on the bigger rivers like the Futaleufu.  Leaders in the 7.5-9’ range are perfect and you never need to fish anything lighter than 4x even in clear waters and often 1x and 0x is preferred for streamer fishing to hang onto large fish.  Fly patterns depend on the fishery, but a good selection of beetles, attractor foam dry flies and some smaller dries like adams in 16s and 20s should be good along with a lot of big streamers in blacks, whites and olive seems to do the trick.

When to go
The seasons in South America are opposite of those in North America so the Patagonian spring starts in October which is the equivalent of April and April is similar to October north of the equator.  January, February and March are peak months for travelling anglers.  Although rivers can get high in the early season from melting snows, they often remain clear due to the many lake systems that filter out the sediment.  The fishing can be great at any point in the season but if you are going to some waters that see more pressure than others that are public it is nice to go earlier in the summer like December or January before the fish see more flies.  Many of the fisheries see very little pressure so they can fish great all summer and into the fall.  I have been in both January and March and had great fishing.

   

Filson’s own, Jack Duggan, gives a first-hand account of the 2012 Duck Season Opener.

Every year around spring time I get the itch, the excitement of knowing that Duck Season is getting closer and closer.  Throughout the summer and fall anticipation of the upcoming season begins to consume my thoughts; day dreaming of the 4 am wake-up, layering up in my gear, and setting out for the breezy wetlands of the Pacific Northwest. I go through the mental checklist of what gear I have, what gear I need, what spots we will hunt, and I meticulously study the latest copies of Ducks Unlimited. All of this preparation leads up to opening weekend, and the day which so many people like myself long for.

I have vivid memories of being a young boy, sitting with my dad in the cattails of the Columbia Basin, watching our chocolate lab retrieve Mallards in the frigid waters of Eastern Washington. Like many future duck hunters my dad bought me a Red Rider BB Gun to carry with me to the blind. I remember sitting in the blind next to my dad, holding my BB Gun, while he held his Ithaca and reached for his duck call’s that are strung with silver bands. The experience was wonderful and I recall the desire and excitement to one day sit side by side with my dad hunting as an equal.

The 2012 Duck Season opener was October 13^th, and, once again I am happy to say that I hunted with my dad, along with my best buddy and our Chocolate Lab Annie. This year we set up on a plot of private land located on the Columbia River. The weather called for blue sunny skies, 15 mph wind gusts and 65 degrees. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Although I was hopeful, I didn’t want to make any predictions.  After arriving at the blind, my buddy and I waded out into the crystal clear water and began to set our decoys, the jerk line, and spinners.  My dad positioned the boat around the corner, set up our stools and hunkered down with Annie. With 40 deeks set and the jerk line rigged-up we waited for the birds to start bombing in on us, or so we hoped.

Within 15 minutes we had all taken multiple pass shots which shook the cobwebs off and helped us get back into the swing of things. By 10 am we had multiple groups of Mallards, Pintails and Redheads committed and dropping into our spread. Annie made many impressive retrieves and she refused to take her big brown eyes off of the sky.  Opening morning turned out to be a great success resulting in my leather strap to be strung full of birds.

The next morning my buddy and I set out for a new spot to hunt along a smaller river. We arrived late, around 9 am, due to a disappointing attempt at the Steelhead opener. Shaking off the funk of coming up dry for Steelhead, we set our deeks and huddled into the cat tails without stools or a dog. It was much warmer than it had been the day before so we decided to lose some of our outer layers; we made sure to wear our face masks to block the shining sun.  Almost immediately the birds started pouring in. From left, right, up high, fast and low the ducks were everywhere. With cupped wings soaring in, mallards made passes around our back sides and long lean pintails screamed by directly in front of us. Geese honked their way in from miles out and landed right in our spread.  Before we knew it, we had our limits.

The opening weekend of the 2012-2013 Duck Season was a great one. By far, the highlight of my opening weekend was a triple that I bagged on that second morning – three ducks with three shots in succession. I waded out deep into the water to retrieve the birds. I picked up one, a Pintail, and then the second, a Drake Mallard. But the best part of this year’s opening hunt came when I had finally trudged out to the last bird, a big Pintail, and pulled it from the water. I held the bird up and saw that it was a banded duck, a perfect ending to my 2012 Duck opener.

Peter Patenaude, a registered Maine guide, has been a Filson advocate for over six years. His blog Boot & Canoe, focuses on traditional skills and Maine’s outdoor heritage. Peter shares six tips to a successful partridge hunt. 

Peter Patenaude’s Maine Bird Hunting

It is partridge hunting season here in Maine– Ruffed Grouse for the rest of you. I look forward to October all year, not just for the attractive hunting scenery, but because it has always been my opinion that a better tasting white meat does not exist. This woods chicken can be enjoyed sliced, breaded and fried in a cast iron, or slow cooked in a batch of baked beans to name a few of my favorites.

I cannot think of a more fair way to harvest an animal than in the thick woods of Maine. It is exciting to hear the thunder sound of the bird’s wings as it busts out from under you, but equally disappointing when you attempt to raise your gun and are held down by all of the branches.

Because of the bird’s nature to fly and run, it can be easy to become turned around. Here are a few things that I try to have on me every time I go in after a partridge:

1. Bubble compass- I pin it onto my suspenders so it is always on me, and can be easily accessed before walking into the woods for a back bearing.
2. Whistle- It does not take up any room in my pocket, and is much louder than my voice.
3. Lighter- What would you pay for a 99 cent lighter if you were lost and needed one?
4. Knife- It is a great all-purpose tool in the woods.
5. Extra shells- They are great to have if you spot more birds, or if necessary, they can be used for signaling if you are in distress.
6. Eye protection- Admittedly, this is something that I do not do, but realize I should; the most common serious injury in the woods is a stick in the eye.

Good luck to everyone this season!