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The Filson Journal

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Filson x META: Extraordinarily Present

Thor Drake is the founder & owner of Portland, Oregon’s esteemed SEE SEE Motorcycles and the One Moto trade show. Widely-respected in the Pacific Northwest motorcycle community, Thor was an obvious choice when it came time to field-testing the 2021 Filson Alcan Moto Collection on the washington backcountry discovery route. below he shares a perspective from the trip and makes a strong case for venturing beyond your comfort zone.

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Filson Live

Like it or not, we’ve had to spend a lot more time at home this year. So rather than twiddle our thumbs, we got straight to work on a new series of how-to’s, music performances, and plenty more from Filson—with the help of a few friends. Introducing Filson Live, beamed straight from us to wherever you’re currently holed up.

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Ford Bronco x Filson Wildland Fire Rig

As far back as the 1940s, Filson Cruiser jackets were the official Class A attire of the U.S. Forest Service, and many still see the iconic green U.S. Forest Service-badged Broncos out in the wild. That rich history comes through to today’s Bronco + Filson Wildland Fire Rig Concept. Based on a 2021 Bronco four-door SUV, the concept vehicle blends advanced off-road capabilities with rugged design details, using Filson materials and a full firefighting skid built into the back.

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The Jackie Robinson of Car Design: McKinley Thompson Jr.

McKinley Thompson Jr., a Ford designer who helped pen the first-generation Bronco, was the first African American designer hired at Ford Motor Company after graduating from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California with a degree in transportation design in 1956. “McKinley was a man who followed his dreams and wound up making history. He not only broke through the color barrier in the world of automotive design, but he helped create some of the most iconic consumer products ever…designs that are not only timeless but have been studied by generations of designers.”

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Something Worth Saving: Fire Lookout Restored by Logging Town Community

As you climb up the tower steps, layers of jagged peaks within Washington’s Cascade Range emerge in every direction. Below, wild river valleys carve through the sea of forests around the small town of Darrington. The million-dollar view from the historic North Mountain Lookout was once used by the Forest Service to spot fires, but the structure fell into disrepair once technology and other fire detection methods took its place. Now a small group of dedicated locals are on a mission to restore the abandoned piece of history sitting on top of North Mountain.

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Filson Stands In Solidarity Against Racism

We stand in solidarity against racism. We don’t claim to have all the answers. We know there’s plenty of work to be done, and that’s something we’ve never shied away from. Silence is no longer an option. Standing together and lifting our voices against hate is just the first step of a long road to bring about change.

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Original Alaska Outfitter Since 1897 | The Filson Story

Since 1897 we’ve had the same mission: To create best-in-class products that outsmart the elements, outperform expectations, and outlast you. Our Founder, Clinton C. Filson put it best, “Your satisfaction is the sole purpose of our transaction.” Read about our legacy and history on the Filson Journal.

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Trail running in uncertain times with Justin Helvik

Justin Helvick is an asst. high school principle, avid outdoorsman, mountaineer, and trail runner. We reached out to him to find out how his time outdoors makes him a better teacher, what he looks for in gear, and how getting outside can help folks deal with the COVID-19 virus.

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Lael Johnson – Olympic Peninsula Fly Guide

Lael Johnson is a fly fisherman and guide on the Olympic Peninsula. His passion for the anadromous fish of Washington’s coastal rivers is contagious. He loves these fish, these rivers, and the people he is lucky enough to experience them with. Filson Contributor Ben Matthews spent a few days on the river with Lael to ask a few questions about guiding, steelhead, and life in general. If you’re interested in heading out on the river with Lael yourself, check out his website and book a trip. You won’t regret it.

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Shmulik Avital & Spiegel – The Hub of NYC’s Moto Community

Shmulik Avital seems to know everyone who rides a motorcycle in New York City. His restaurant, Spiegel, has become the hub of the city’s adventure motorcycling community.

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You Take What You Can Get: Or Suffer the Consequences

The stampede for gold into the Klondike of the Yukon territory reached a peak in 1898. In that same year, 1,200 other miners set out for other regions of the far north, including to the Koyukuk and Chandalar river drainages in the remote Alaska Territory interior, in a desperate search for similar riches. This region is situated in the northwestern part of Alaska, with the Koyukuk River flowing through it from the borders of the Arctic Ocean to where it enters the Yukon at Nulato.

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Filson Moto Collection

Whenever you set out into the wild, be it the icy hell of Alaska or the rocky forests of the Pacific Northwest, you can’t do better than to have a Filson Garment on your back. That’s the way it’s been for over 120 years.

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The Filson Restoration Department & Workshop

We’ve taken pride in the quality of our craftsmanship for over a century, and in keeping with that tradition, the Filson Restoration Department and Filson Workshop were formed. We caught up with Jeremy Bennett, Jon Duce, and Marissa Barnard from the workshop team to find out what goes into restoring a Filson original and creating a one-of-a-kind piece from salvaged resources.

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a top down view of a dark wood table with various tools and materials to make a shoe, including a hammer, scissors, wax and thread

Signature Materials

Keeping Handmade Traditions Alive in the Northeast: Filson & Quoddy

Jack and Anne Spiegel originally started Quoddy in Maine in 1947. Their unique footwear was all made with moccasin construction to be flexible, durable, and repairable. At one point, Quoddy had a fleet of stores, many along the well-traveled Route 1 where summer visitors stocked up on other home-grown Maine brands like Hathaway, GH Bass, and LL Bean.

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Filson Adventure Comic

Filson Adventures, an original comic series based in Alaska circa 1933.

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The Need for Wild Places

Founded in 2004, BHA is a nonpartisan group of sportsmen and -women who “seek to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters.”

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Plant a Tree, Grow a Forest

Greg Peters is the Communications Director for the National Forest Foundation. This year they have launched an initiative to replant 50 million trees in areas that have been burned or affected by insect infestations, disease or other natural causes. Here, he shares a story of a recent trip into the hills and a first-hand encounter

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PNW Workers: Force/Collide

Located in Seattle WA, Force/Collide is driven by owner Chelsea Gaddy’s distinct style that blends geometry, minimalism, and the raw characteristics of metals into high-end furniture and architecture. “The creative process behind fabrication is the most meaningful part of my work – it’s what forms the personality of the piece. And metal is my favorite

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PNW Workers: Laura Burkhart

Laura Burkhart drew inspiration from the Pacific Northwest’s mountains, lakes, and trees – and used it to develop a refreshing, unique style of artwork. “Woodwork is such a physically demanding medium, forcing me to fully immerse myself in the process. This particular style came to fruition a few years ago when I was asked to

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PNW Workers: Meridian Forge

Located in Eatonville, WA, Meridian Forge was founded by Darryl Nelson who has spent 45 years breathing new life into the ancient art of blacksmithing. His trademark animal sculptures can be seen on the doors to Filson’s Flagship Seattle store, along with much of the ironwork at Oregon’s Timberline Lodge. “There are so many different

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PNW Workers: Dovetail General Contractors

Located in Seattle, WA, Dovetail General Contractors specializes in bringing clients’ visions to life by immersing themselves in every aspect of a project – from Japanese joinery to large-scale foundation work. Carpenter Lucas Trautman embodies this as much as anyone. “The residence we just finished on Whidbey Island is a sanctuary, personally and professionally. I

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Secret of the Sandhills: The Niobrara National Scenic River

Growing up in Nebraska, I quickly became privy to the longstanding joke that my home state offered nothing more than cornfields and pivots. Like clockwork, anytime I ventured outside the state line I was met with a tongue-in-cheek comment about Nebraska’s landscape or lack thereof. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I began to buy

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fisherman holding large fish kneeling in river wearing red and white flannel and green trucker hat

Brown Trout of New Zealand

Jack Kos is a self-described Kiwi trout bum. What began as a passion for fishing soon developed into a desire to know more about the fish he sought. That pursuit led Jack to dive deep into the rivers and the history books as he wrote his dissertation and earned a PhD in history on the

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Garrett sitting on the fence ready to ride a bull

Come by It Honestly: Born into Bull Riding

Rodeo culture is often synonymous with small-town America: Everyone knows everyone, a strong work ethic is the norm, and more often than not, children pursue the same profession as their parents. The more time spent around the bucking chutes, the more apparent it becomes that bull riding is as vital to a family’s lineage as

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man in a canoe on the Yukon river, a large mountain in the distance

Wilderness, a River, and My Old Man

Peter Hall and his father set out on a Yukon Moose hunt, by way of canoe, into the remote reaches of the Alaskan wilderness. The time they shared on the river reminded them both that the glory of adventure is found far beyond the kill. At one in the morning the aurora fills the sky.

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portrait of Larry Ford, owner of Blue Heron Lodge

Blue Heron Lodge: Forks, WA

“I love teaching folks how to appreciate the water; the ruggedness and beauty of the river are something special. I like to share with people a means by which they can experience these places. A drift boat and a fly rod are just my preferred means. Passing on some of my knowledge to my clients,

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A Fool’s Errand

At times, shed hunting can seem a fool’s errand. It can make you wonder why in the hell you’d ever thought it was a reasonable idea. Other times it is quite the opposite; miles hiked and time spent behind glass equate handsomely to fresh brown elk antlers. This trip would lean harshly to the fool’s-errand

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Shed Hunting: Tips and Tactics

Last week we shared a beginner’s perspective on springtime shed hunting and what you might encounter when heading into the hills for your first time in search of antlers. This week, we hear from Sam Averett, a seasoned western hunter, who shares a few more detailed tips and tactics on the search for spring sheds.

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andrew miller steelhead man in river with rocky riverbed

Solitude and Steelhead

Many a man has felt the pace and stress of life wash from his soul while standing mid-river, fly rod in hand. Solitude is perhaps the thing most often sought by the seasoned fly-fishermen; the thrill of landing a fish is a welcome addition to an already fine experience. Read along as we follow once

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Family At Sea

Morgan Lohrey has been sailing for as long as she can remember. Suppose it to say that a sailing life has not been an unlikely outcome given that her father is a boat captain himself. Together, they have restored the Dirigo II and now can be found at sea, amidst the winds both fair and

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