Field Notes | Page 8 of 10 | The Filson Journal

Old growth pine forest with lush green undergrowth and moss covered tree trunks

Spend 4 Days Exploring the Shores of Maine by Canoe with Rhon Bell

Outdoor writer Rhon Bell of Backwoods Plaid explores the history-ridden shores of Maine by canoe. Twenty two miles long and up to four miles wide. The third-largest body of water in a state with over 3,400 lakes. Maine is where it’s at and this is where our adventure takes place. For the next four days my

man in denim shirt and flat-brimmed hat works on hood of classic car

Field Notes

Left of West: Forest Woodward Explores the American West

Photographer Forest Woodward sets out in a recently purchased — and barely running — ’77 International Scout to discover what’s left of the pioneering spirit in the American West. Along the route, a long stretch of highway from Southern Utah to Northwest Montana, Forest and his co-pilot Jessica Lowe are privy to roadside breakdowns, run-ins with remnants of the real West, and incredible scenery awash with history.

river valley with low-lying mountains separating bifurcating tributary

Field Notes

Can Fly Fishing Save the World with Mongolia River Outfitters

Can fly fishing save the world? Mongolia River Outfitters’ owner Mark Johnstad thinks so, and after working with him for the past eight years, writer, editor, and fly fishing guide Peter Fong, believes he may be on to something.

Nick Flows, obscured by sawdust cuts a large log in half with a chainsaw

Field Notes

Nick Stevens and the Washington Conservation Corps

Nick Stevens grew up in Seattle, Washington making art, exploring the city, and venturing into the abundant wilderness areas surrounding Puget Sound. In 2012 he graduated from Seattle University with a BFA in Photography and moved to Port Angeles, Washington to work for the Washington Conservation Corps and live closer to the mountains and the

vista of pine-covered rolling hills with large meandering river disappearing into horizon

Field Notes

7 Days of Salmon and Camping with Evan Lane

Evan Lane is a photographer and director based out of Los Angeles. Last week, Evan and his girlfriend Kayla set out on a road trip across Vancouver Island. The plan? To spend 7 days traveling, eating what they were able to catch along the lakes and oceanfront, and camping wherever their Jeep Wrangler (complete with

house in desolate desert landscape with large mountains in background and big open sky

Field Notes

Getting in to Wild Cutthroat in Durango with Justin Meyer

Join Justin Salem Meyer — a fly-fishing enthusiast, photographer, and web designer based in Des Moines, Iowa — on a trip to Southern Colorado in search of wild Cutthroats. I made my way to southern Colorado in search of wild Cutthroat trout. My friend Andy, from Duranglers took us out to one of his favorite

fire tower on top of rocky ridge at sunset

Field Notes

Washington State Fire Lookout Project with Kyle Johnson

Kyle Johnson is a 29 year old editorial and commercial photographer hailing from the Pacific Northwest. He strives to create images that are intriguing and classically executed. Kyle’s aesthetic pairs textured natural settings with a distinct photographic perspective. This project is an exploration of the 92 lookout towers that remain standing in Washington State. Shot

9 Min

bee keeper in green hat with net holds a wooden hive insert with thousands of bees

Field Notes

Beekeeping Benefits with Peter Patenaude

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. Today, Peter details the benefits of beekeeping.

hand lifts bass fish out of pond topped with green plant matter

Field Notes

Farm Ponds with Judith O’Keefe

I live in the country and I could fill a page on the many reasons why I’ve chosen this lifestyle, but the first one that comes to mind this summer afternoon, is the pond. Like many ponds it is full of large mouth bass and bluegill, eager to take a damselfly imitation if there are

rushing river water with large central rock

Field Notes

Summer in Vermont with Mikael Kennedy

As a talented photographer, Mikael Kennedy is always on the go, escaping from the clamor of New York City to calmer ground with his Filson gear and camera. In his latest post, Mikael revisits the countryside of his childhood with a week long trip to Vermont.

12 Min

Man dwarfed by large rock face stands at foot of reflective pond gazing upward

Field Notes

From The Archives: Man of the Woods, 1951

Photo and Story courtesy of Sam McJunkin. “My father, Samuel McJunkin, in 1951 after a forest fire fighting effort in the Cascade mountain range in Washington State. He worked for the Forest Service during the summers to help pay for college. He’s now 83 – still swings an axe – heats his house with wood.

Tim Rose, of Bend, OR, on a hunt in Central California.

Field Notes

Hollister Hog Hunting with Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis is the host of Adventure Journal and author of John Nosler – Going Ballistic, Black Bear Hunting, Hunting Oregon and other titles. Join him on a hog hunt through Central California in this latest adventure. You don’t have to hunt for very long before people start telling you about great hunting places. These

Field Notes

Revisiting Red River with George Barnett

George Barnett’s Polaroid photographs recount tales as timeless and storied as the woods themselves. At only 20 years old, the Kentucky native offers furtive glimpses of not only the mystery found in nature, but also the inherent maturity. Over the last 6 years of captured memories, Filson has become George’s weathered travel partner; a central

1 Min

Field Notes

Get Away at a Moment’s Notice with David Lewis

Even if you live in a city, don’t discount your local waterways for great weekday fishing By David S. Lewis After a friend tipped me off to a yard sale “canoe” they had seen, I rushed over and found my new boat, a Cajun-style pirogue, and for a clean $30, put it in my truck

dog leaps for pheasant as hunter takes aim

How-To's

Opening Day Preparation by George Hickox

For over two decades, George Hickox has shown all levels of owners how to train great bird dogs. Today, George outlines pre-season preparation for your hunting partner so that you both can be ready for opening day. The kaleidoscope of autumn’s palette will soon be soaked in by hunters awaiting the opening of this year’s

Three generations of hunters stand with their pheasants in filson hunting gear

Field Notes

The Real Meaning of Memorial Day

Scott Sneer CEO of Alpha Ecological, Owner of Blaze Outdoor Adventures, and part-owner of Fikkes Outdoor Innovations, is one of the founders of Hunting with Heroes and other events to honor veterans. Scott’s family heritage runs deep in the military and he offers his perspective on what Memorial Day is to him. Memorial Day through

Field Notes

Fishing the Driftless in Iowa with Badowers

When I was 19 I fell in love with Iowa. It stopped just being the place I was born, where I’m from, where I live. This is part of a series highlighting the people, places and products that make Des Moines, and Iowa, special.

3 Min

Jim Klug - Alaskan vista with large mountains in background and river opening up to large lake

Field Notes

Help Protect Bristol Bay

Photos courtesy of Jim Klug. “Imagine an open pit mine in the remote wild lands of Alaska that covers an area 50 percent larger than Manhattan, with dams the height of Hoover Dam, and the potential to hold more than 7 billion tons of waste. That is exactly what could happen if foreign-owned companies are

four story abandoned old brick structures stand in front of pine tree forest

Field Notes

Up a Creek in Wallace, Idaho by Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis is the host of Adventure Journal and author of John Nosler – Going Ballistic, Black Bear Hunting, Hunting Oregon and other titles. They took out the stoplight on I-90 in 1991 and the townsfolk in Wallace, Idaho, their feelings hurt by the freeway bypass, proclaimed a manhole cover the Center of the Universe.

Beige Filson Padded Computer Bag with brown leather straps

Field Notes

In Your Words: Tough as Nails

‘In Your Words’ explores the incredible stories we’ve received from Filson fans across the globe. Send us your own experiences with our clothing or product here for a chance to be featured on the Filson Life blog. Matt from Seattle describes the versatility of his Padded Computer Bag. There’s not much that can be said about

Field Notes

In Your Words: Shelter Cloth Jacket Travels 2 Million Miles

‘In Your Words’ explores the incredible stories we’ve received from Filson fans across the globe. Send us your own experiences with our clothing or product here for a chance to be featured on the Filson Life blog. David C., an over-road trucker with 22 years of experience, wrote us regarding his Filson jacket which has faithfully served him

Harley Davidson - Motorcycle - Tyler Sharp

Field Notes

6,000 Miles in the Saddle by Tyler Sharp

Tyler Sharp is a documentary photographer, writer, and filmmaker based out of Dallas, Texas. Traveling extensively on assignment, he has filmed and photographed a myriad of cultures and landscapes, and slept under the stars in some of the most remote regions of the world. Spend 6,000 miles in the saddle with Tyler as he details

Filson Luggage on asphalt street in Black and White

Field Notes

In Your Words: Ralph, 12 Years Later

‘In Your Words’ explores the incredible stories we’ve received from Filson fans across the globe. Send us your own experiences with our clothing or product here for a chance to be featured on the Filson Life blog. Ralph from Switzerland discovered Filson products over 12 years ago and continues to rely on our product. During my

Filson two toned green Trucker Jacket on mannequin

Field Notes

From The Archives: The Trucker Jacket

After four years of constant use, intrepid excursions around the world, and endless encounters with the bottom of truck beds, duffle bags, and carry-ons, this trucker jacket speaks for itself. Displayed next to a brand-new trucker — fresh from the factory floor — the beauty and character of age is made distinct and compelling. The oil

Field Notes

In Your Words: Anthony, After a Decade of Use

‘In Your Words’ explores the incredible stories we’ve received from Filson fans across the globe. Send us your own experiences with our clothing or product here for a chance to be featured on the Filson Life blog. Anthony, the editorial director at Field and Stream, spent more than ten years with his Filson briefcase before needing

David Coggins in grey coat standing in front of stone fireplace holding fly fishing rod

Field Notes

Improbable Optimist: Fishing’s Opening Day

This Saturday marks Fishing’s Opening Day in Vermont. As the day of reckoning for countless unsuspecting trout draws near, New York City writer, editor and veteran angler David Coggins weighs in on a day he’s had marked on his calendar since fishing season ended last October. Serious anglers are known for a sense of imagination

George Barnett; filson bags on black cobbles in front of wooden door

Field Notes

One Week in Antigua with George Barnett

George Barnett’s Polaroid photographs recount tales as timeless and storied as the woods themselves. At only 20 years old, the Kentucky native offers furtive glimpses of not only the mystery found in nature, but also the inherent maturity. Over the last 6 years of captured memories, Filson has become George’s weathered travel partner; a central subject in

extreme close-up of the detail of an opalescent purple and blue fish fin

Field Notes

A Closer Look with Louis Cahill

Louis Cahill is an advertising photographer with over thirty years experience, and about as many holding a fly rod, Louis has spent his life looking through the lens. He’s not interested in what everyone else sees. Find more of Louis’ incredible photography and writing at Gink and Gasoline. Study the stream bed, brown and green. Through ripples and

Beige filson bag hangs on a tree branch in snowy forest

Field Notes

In Your Words: My Father’s Briefcase

‘In Your Words’ explores the incredible stories we’ve received from Filson fans across the globe. Send us your own experiences with our clothing or product here for a chance to be featured on the Filson Life blog. Scott, a photographer from Texas, spent time in the snow in New Hampshire and shot these photos of his

partially ripped tin cloth motorcycle jacket shows the results of a crash

Field Notes

In Your Words: Saved From a 60MPH Slide

‘In Your Words’ explores the incredible stories we’ve received from Filson fans across the globe. Send us your own experiences with our clothing or product here for a chance to be featured on the Filson Life blog. We’re thankful that Brett — who works at Filson retailer Proof Lab — was able to share this story. Here’s to

Grit: Marc Warnke’s Pack Goats

Spend 4 Days Exploring the Shores of Maine by Canoe with Rhon Bell

Left of West: Forest Woodward Explores the American West

Can Fly Fishing Save the World with Mongolia River Outfitters

Nick Stevens and the Washington Conservation Corps

7 Days of Salmon and Camping with Evan Lane

Getting in to Wild Cutthroat in Durango with Justin Meyer

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Washington State Fire Lookout Project with Kyle Johnson

Beekeeping Benefits with Peter Patenaude

Farm Ponds with Judith O’Keefe

Summer in Vermont with Mikael Kennedy

From The Archives: Man of the Woods, 1951

Hollister Hog Hunting with Gary Lewis

Revisiting Red River with George Barnett

Get Away at a Moment’s Notice with David Lewis

Opening Day Preparation by George Hickox

The Real Meaning of Memorial Day

Fishing the Driftless in Iowa with Badowers

Help Protect Bristol Bay

Up a Creek in Wallace, Idaho by Gary Lewis

In Your Words: Tough as Nails

In Your Words: Shelter Cloth Jacket Travels 2 Million Miles

6,000 Miles in the Saddle by Tyler Sharp

In Your Words: Ralph, 12 Years Later

From The Archives: The Trucker Jacket

In Your Words: Anthony, After a Decade of Use

Improbable Optimist: Fishing’s Opening Day

One Week in Antigua with George Barnett

A Closer Look with Louis Cahill

In Your Words: My Father’s Briefcase

In Your Words: Saved From a 60MPH Slide