99 Articles
How To's
How To Select and Care for a Stetson Hat
Filson’s own Clark Gilbert walks you through the choice of buying a new Stetson hat and how to properly care for it depending on your choice and the life you...
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How To's
How to Make a Pole Spear
Just under the surface of the frigid ocean is a bounty of saltwater fish to be foraged. Many an outdoors person would agree that, in a survival scenario, the ocean...
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How To's
Dos and Don'ts of Traveling in Rattlesnake Country
Local outdoors expert & lifelong Texan, Cory Emerson, helped us navigate the desolate limestone hills and canyons of Texas Hill County to put our new gear to the test. The...
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How To's
DIY 3 Legged Camp Stool
One of the best items to have on any outdoor excursion is a good seat. A seat can help keep you dry in wet weather, provide a spot to rest...
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How To's
DIY Wooden Landing Net
A wooden landing net is not only one of the angler’s best tools to ensure the swift catch—and, where necessary, release—of a fish, but also a durable part of the...
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How To's
DIY: Ammo Can Panniers
The objective of this build is to come up with a low-cost solution to the more expensive factory-produced or aftermarket panniers used on adventure touring bikes. Most factory-produced pannier racks...
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How To's
How to Ice Fish: learn from fishing guide Walleye Dan
Walleye Dan has been ice fishing for more than 40 years. He’s seen the sport change dramatically from his early days out on Round Lake in Minnesota, trying his luck...
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How To's
Filson Fundamentals: Field Chainsaw Maintenance
Whether felling, bucking and limbing, or cutting up logs for firewood, it doesn't take long to burn through a tank of fuel when running a saw at full throttle. A...
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How To's
Winter Upland Hunting Guide + 5 Game Birds
Many game-bird seasons in the Northwest, Midwest, and Northeast extend well into winter— those cold, even icy days can be great times to hunt. Upland birds often fall into fairly...
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How To's, Signature Materials
Recommended Care for Mackinaw Wool
Mackinaw Wool has been our most-trusted cold-weather protection for over a century, and these easy-maintenance tips will ensure yours provides reliable service for years to come.
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How To's
How to Train Your Dog to Pull a Sled
Luna Lobos Dog Sledding is a family-owned dog sledding operation based in Peoa, Utah. Owners Fernando and Dana Ramirez believe that dog sledding is a work of art, and that...
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How To's
How to Build Your Own Cross-Country Skis
The journey of making your own skis begins with a tree. Where and at what point you begin your engagement with it depends on what resources you have available. Ideally,...
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How To's
How to Pack a Mule with a Diamond Hitch & What to Bring
“May your loads ride straight” is the universal blessing packers give one another when leaving the pack station or meeting on a high mountain trail. Taking time when assembling the...
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How To's
How to Make a Canvas Bedroll
Bedrolls are the original bivy and have been used for centuries to keep their occupants warm and dry after a long day of travel. If you’re not concerned about a...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
How to Make Farmer’s Cheese
If cheesemaking sounds a little outside of your wheelhouse, rest assured that we’ve got the perfect way to get started. Farmer’s Cheese is widely enjoyed across Europe and can be...
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How To's
DIY: Car Jack Cider Press
Nothing says autumn like some fresh pressed apple cider in the orchard. Apple presses come in all shapes and sizes and can get very expensive and complex. Here is one...
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How To's
DIY Stock Tank Hot Tub
In this how-to, we show you how to make your very own wood-fired hot tub with simple materials you can get right at the hardware store. You’ll be up and...
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How To's
How to Build a Backyard Sawmill
My family comes from a proud tradition of loggers and woodworkers. My great-grandfather left his home in Norway and emigrated to Washington to work as a logger. My grandfather followed...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
How to Kill, Cook, & Eat Dungeness Crab
One of the best seafood the West Coast has to offer is without a doubt Dungeness crab, and when it comes to seafood, fresh is always best. This recipe isn’t...
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How To's
DIY Yarrow Bug Repellent
Yarrow is an herb found throughout the northern hemisphere with an impressive range of uses. Also referred to as “soldier’s woundwort” and "blood wort”, yarrow’s effectiveness in first aid applications...
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How To's
How to Carve a Paddle
Carving your own wooden paddle is rewarding beyond the satisfaction that comes from making something that will last a lifetime with your own hands. "seeing a paddle emerge from a...
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How To's
How to Take Care of Your Catch
The ethos of the Leave No Trace philosophy has always struck a chord with fishers like me. From leaving our campsite looking as though no one was there, to gently...
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How To's
How to Make Stinging Nettle Cordage
As one of the most prolific plants in the pacific northwest, nettles get a bad rap due to their tendency to sting. But if you can get over a couple...
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How To's
How to Make a Backwoods Steam Tent
Life outdoors is taxing on the body. In this very barebones demo, we'll run through how to recover with a DIY steam tent.
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Basic Cut, Carve, & Processing Techniques
There are a few ingredients that every home cook should know how to properly prepare. Today professional chef Connor Gabott walks us through how to cut, carve, and process each....
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How To's
How to Throw a Tomahawk
It’s dangerous, but if you have the time and space for a lot of practice, being able to throw a tomahawk and hit your target is a pretty satisfying skill...
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How To's
How to Build a Survival Shelter in the Wilderness
Dan Wowak is the owner and instructor at Coalcracker Bushcraft and the Appalachian Bushman School. He’s been an avid outdoorsman since childhood. His passion for the outdoors began while fishing...
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How To's
Filson 101: How to Care For Your Leather Boots
Every now and then, your trusty boots will need a little TLC to keep them ready for any weather. This is not the fanciest method, but it’s simple, straightforward, and...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Elk Heart Tacos with Mojo de Ajo
Heart is without a doubt the most underappreciated cut of meat in any game animal. The specific game animal makes no difference; from mallard duck to Shiras moose, I would...
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How To's
Filson Food: Field to Table Morel Mushroom & Ricotta Appetizer
As snow melts off mountain peaks, and yellow balsamroot bloom in valleys below, it’s time to take to the woods where an elusive delicacy of the season awaits. Introducing the...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Santa Maria Venison Sirloin
When we think of American BBQ, we tend to think of Southern BBQ: slow-cooked brisket, pulled pork, pit beans, coleslaw, etc., but there are a lot of other BBQs to...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Roasted Pheasant Jalapeño Poppers with Bourbon Red Pepper Jelly
A version of this recipe can most likely be found in every single hunter’s recipe rolodex from the Florida Panhandle to the Olympic Peninsula and everywhere in between. It is...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Whole Salt Crusted Fish with Horseradish Cream
Cooking in a salt crust is essentially a method of steaming, but instead of using water to steam, the salt crust holds in the natural moisture from the fish to...
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How To's
How to Filson's Guide to Conifers of the Cascades
Washington’s forests are home to more than 25 unique species of trees. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to quickly identify the 5 key varieties in the North...
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How To's
How to Avoid Attacks in Bear & Cougar Territory
Consciously or unconsciously, humans, bears, and mountain lions, along with many other large mammals, all speak the same language with their bodies. The body language of an unleashed dog on...
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How To's
Filson Food: Squirrel Carnitas
Hunting squirrels is no easy task. However, if you are lucky enough to catch one of these elusive creatures, these carnitas will prove that it’s well worth the effort. This...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: West Coast Seafood Chowder
Chowder is a dish that can be found up and down both coasts of the United States and each regional interpretation has its own unique local style. Regardless of the...
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How To's
How to Repair a Ripped Sail at Sea
You hear a sound you shouldn’t. Standing at the helm, getting a good look forward is tricky through rigging, mast, and mainsail. But that long ripping sound was not a...
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How To's
How to Preserve Your Catch
Winter brings slower days and time to cook – and a freezer full of fish after a summer of harvest. Nourishing and delicious protein, wild salmon brings brightness to the...
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How To's
How to Build Backcountry Snowshoes
Traveling into the backcountry can be filled with fun, excitement, and adventure; however, it can also be very dangerous. Mother Nature can quickly turn an enjoyable afternoon hike into a...
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How To's
How to Tie 5 Sailing Knots Recommended by US Sailing
“Tie me a figure 8”, “grab that cleat hitch”, “fasten a bowline” – next time you’re aboard or at the docks, make yourself useful to the captain and crew and...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Duck Cassoulet
Some of the best things in life require the most time and effort to do them right. This recipe is one of those things.
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How To's
How to Stay Safe in Avalanche Terrain - Tips from NWAC
Every year in the mountains of North America, avalanches kill an average of 45 people and injure many more. Nearly all these incidents involve people recreating. If you’re planning to...
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How To's
How to Read a Navigational Chart (the basics)
A map will show you where to go. A nautical chart will help you plan your trip, tell you where (and where not) to go, tell you when to go...
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How To's
How to Stack Firewood
Follow these easy 5 steps for proper stacking and storage of firewood. This easy guide will provide a safe location to protect your wood from the elements while keeping out...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Fire Baked Mac & Cheese with Boar Bacon Burnt Ends
Here is a grown-up version of a dish we all loved as kids—and some of us never really grew out of. With the addition of a few spices, aged Gruyere...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Apple Braised Pork
This Pork Shoulder recipe is sure to never disappoint. Make this in the cooler months and make sure to make extra—it gets better as the flavors have time to hang...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: The Perfect Cast Iron Steak
There are many ways to cook an amazing steak, but none beat the simplicity of a cast-iron seared steak basted in herbed brown butter. Try it once and you will...
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How To's
How to Become a Ski Patroller
Ski patrollers are responsible for maintaining and promoting skier safety, providing first-aid assistance to accident victims on the hill, and transporting injured skiers. They play a huge part in what...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Beef Carpaccio with Horseradish Sauce and Kale Salad
All meat is a reflection of the land the animal was raised on, genetics, and, of course, the feed they ate. To truly appreciate the complexities of a great cut...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Apple Galette with Salted Bourbon Caramel
A simple riff on an American classic. This galette is both super simple and looks great on the table. The more rustic-looking, the better, so don’t spend a lot of...
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How To's
How to Process an Upland Bird
Steven Joyce of Reds Hunting, a renowned hunting and fly-fishing guide outfit in Eastern Washington, joined us at Filson’s annual Sportsman’s Expo to demonstrate how to harvest the meat from...
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How To's
How to Prevent Disaster by Righting a Capsized Canoe
Canoeing is a great group activity and going with others is both a fun and easy way to make sure that you remain safe on the river in case of...
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How To's
How to Build a Swedish Fire Log
When the Swedish army jumped into the Thirty Years War to invade the Holy Roman Empire, the soldiers developed a highly efficient campfire that required only a single log, commonly...
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How To's
How to Tap A Maple Tree
Maple syrup was first collected by the native people of North America. While there are no verified accounts of how maple syrup production began, one popular legend suggests maple sap...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
Filson Food: Beer Brats
The German roots run deep in this dish, but you don’t have to wait for Octoberfest to enjoy it. The next time you are hosting a group of people and...
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How To's
Snakebite Prevention and First Aid
While snakebites are a relatively rare occurrence, knowing how to prevent or treat one is a potentially lifesaving skill. This is especially true for those of us who spend a...
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How To's
Guest Blog: Peter Patenaude's Maine Bird Hunting Tips
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...
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How To's
GUEST BLOG: Ben Smith, Prepare For Out-of-State Fishing Trips
While we all have wonderful fishing holes, rivers and lakes in our hometown states, but sometimes it's nice to get out and see what else is out there. And we...
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How To's
5 Tips to Maple Sugaring
You do not need to invest a lot of money to make maple syrup. Tap spouts, pails, an old cooking pan and a fire pit are all you need to...
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How To's
4 Tips To Tying Flies
As we prepare for spring fly fishing season we turn to Ben Smith of Arizona Wanderings for the expert tips on tying flies. We're ready to get out on the...
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How To's
5 Ice Fishing Tips from Rhon Bell
Rhon Bell of Backwoods Plaid, treats every cold morning in Maine with the same excitement and enthusiasm as Christmas morning. He knows that with the company of a good friend,...
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How To's
Shed Hunting Tips for Bone-Heads!
Oh, the excitement that deer season brings with it each and every year, isn’t it great? Peter Fiduccia of Woods N’ Water Press knows it all too well, and do...
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How To's
How to Rent a Forest Service Cabin
If you’re looking for a vacation rental that is slightly more adventurous than usual, it’s worth looking into renting one of the USFS fire lookout towers or backcountry cabins. Learn...
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How To's
How to Build a Tarp Shelter
With a simple tarp and a few lengths of 550 cord, you can make a quick shelter to ride out a storm should the weather turn bad on your next...
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How To's
What to Pack for a Backpack Fly Fishing Trip
Backpacking is a great way to re-familiarize yourself with the often-elusive feeling of spare time. With a little extra planning, you can turn a backpacking trip into a fly-fishing trip....
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How To's
3 tips for Backcountry Preparedness with Coalcracker Bushcraft
Outdoor recreation provides an opportunity for people to learn and explore. It allows people to spend time with family and friends, view wildlife, and experience nature. These experiences however, could...
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How To's
How to Make a European Mount
If you’re fortunate enough to harvest an antlered animal for the freezer this fall, a European mount is a tasteful way to display the antlers in your home or garage....
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How To's
How to Fillet a Fish
Whether you fish your local river, the lake the next state over, or the ocean on the other side of the world, knowing how to properly filet your catch is...
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How To's, Food & Recipes
How to Open an Oyster without a Shucking Knife
While a shucking knife is always recommended to open oysters, it's not the only way. If a fresh bivalve opportunity presents itself while you're without a shucking knife, you might...
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How To's
Sheds, Snow, and Steeps: A First-Timer's Notes on Shed Hunting
I grew up in the hardwood forests of the southeastern U.S. hunting whitetail deer with my grandfather. Much of what I consider valuable I learned from him, about life and...
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How To's
Filson x Smokey: Campfire Safety
According to the USFS, 63,546 human-caused wildfires burned nearly 5 million acres across the U.S. in 2017. It is important to remember that no precaution is too small when it...
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