Profiles | Page 12 of 12 | The Filson Journal

The Filson Journal

fire lookout tower

Between Hell & Heaven: Burley Mountain Fire Lookout Restoration  

In part of our continuing partnership with the NFF, each year, a team of our staff helps renovate a historic fire lookout. Last year we headed out to an 88-year-old lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. (Written firsthand by our own Nick Wojtasik)

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river runs from large snowy mountains through pine and scrub forest

In Search of Arctic Grayling

Krystin Bablinskas is an environmental engineer with a penchant for adventure and travel writing. Her life partner, Bixler McClure, is a Geographic Information Systems analyst and amateur photographer. Always together, the duo explores Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula from their home base in Seward, whether on foot or by sailboat. They detail their wild tales on their

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shotgun shells on ground between two lines of reeds

Remembering the Duck Season Opener with John Ludlam

John Ludlam is a medium format photographer currently residing in Denver, Colorado. Two years ago, he started processing and printing his own photos in the darkroom and hasn’t gone back to digital since. Follow along as John recounts the waterfowl season opener in Colorado. The much awaited opening day of any season brings back the

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A snowy landscape along a treeline where a herd of bison are huddled together

Of Mountains and Mist: Surveying the Big Sky Winter with Brian Merriam, Part 2

Brian Merriam’s photographs offer an earnest and eager appreciation for the outdoors. Each image acting as both an inviting adventure and a dramatic call to action, providing the necessary inspiration to phone in that vacation time and get lost in the beauty of the vast American landscape. Follow along on the second half of Brian’s

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canyon with sheer red rock cliffs and sage brush

Bounty in the Big Empty: Chukar Hunting in Nevada with Larry McKurtis

Larry McKurtis is a writer living in Northern Nevada. He’s an avid cyclist, hunter, and fly fisherman – all of which give him an excuse to travel and explore all over the west and North America. His blog Red Legged Devils covers his relationship with the American West. Desolation is a frightening word to the

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bison among red and yellow foliage in rolling hills

Of Mountains and Mist: Surveying the Big Sky Winter with Brian Merriam

Brian Merriam’s photographs offer an earnest and eager appreciation for the outdoors. Each image acting as both an inviting adventure and a dramatic call to action, providing the necessary inspiration to phone in that vacation time and get lost in the beauty of the vast American landscape. Follow Brian through the frozen plains and forests

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amewin witch sticks kindling

December on the Wind: Welcoming Winter in the North Atlantic

In the latest Filson Life, Jonathan Levitt and Muwin Collective ramble along the North Atlantic coastline preparing for the upcoming cold season. Nov 10 The garden is covered in straw and seaweed. It gets dark so early we cook, we bring in wood, we ramble, and we scout Chores are done. It is warm inside,

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stark high Andean desert with severe brown mountain peaks

In Your Words: Filson in the Central Andes

‘In Your Words’ explores the incredible stories we’ve received from Filson fans across the globe, and it’s safe to say that Dale Burns has become a Filson fan for life. After subjecting his Filson garments to the extreme conditions of fieldwork in the Central Andes, Dale felt compelled to share his thoughts on our durable

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camper van lit by the light of fire with the moon in the sky

Upland Bird Hunting in Eastern Washington with Elias Carlson

Elias Carlson is a 31 year old freelance photographer, graphic designer, and videographer from Seattle, Washington. He has a thing for mountains, road-trips, and his wife Theresa. He is easily distracted by moving water of any kind, especially the sort with fish in it. When he’s not outdoors with a camera, he makes some pretty

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hand holding hawk

Fishing for Hawks: Trapping Raptors with Adam Baz

Adam Baz is a bird biologist, photographer, and outdoorsman based in Portland, OR. His fieldwork studying bird populations takes him throughout the mountains of the west. The photo essay below takes us through a day on the job, trapping hawks on the slopes of Mt. Hood.

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Sheep standing in a group in a pasture

Sheep Shearing in Western Washington with Nich Hance McElroy

Nich Hance McElroy is a photographer based in Vancouver, BC. Since 2010 he’s owned and operated a small scale sheep shearing business in Western Washington, which takes him – along with his sheepdog, Finn — from the Canadian Border to the Key Peninsula, and from the San Juan Islands to the crest of the Cascades.

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Man in black vest and german shepherd stand on driftwood on beach looking at the water

In Your Words: Matthew Graham’s Mackinaw Cruiser

‘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. Matthew Graham remembers his family story with the help of a Filson Mackinaw Cruiser. “What kind of jacket should

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man stands upriver in rushing water among large rocks

On the Banks with John Ludlam

John Ludlam is a medium format analog photographer currently residing in Denver, Colorado. Two years ago, he started processing and printing his own photos in the darkroom and hasn’t gone back to digital since. He loves photographing anything and everything, but especially those people who enjoy traditional or artisan processes. Ever since I can remember,

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black and white image of silhouettes of trees

Depth in the Field: From the Mountains to the Ocean with Photographer Bryan Bowie

Bryan Bowie has a rare talent for making the overly photographed look foreign and new. Through his camera, a simple shoreline image is wrought with feeling, a barren landscape breathes; the wind and waves more dynamic in his captured black and white format than they were in person. The Southeast Virginian native has spent his

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Jerry Cohen, Owner of Ebbets Field Flannels

Ebbets Field Flannels has been a Pioneer Square mainstay for over 25 years. The iconic Seattle company manufactures historically inspired athletic apparel, ranging from wool baseball flannels to 8-panel caps, right here in America. Filson had a chance to catch up with owner Jerry Cohen and find out what separates Ebbets from the rest.

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Fire Crew in Tin Cloth

Trade Stories: Aaron Fields, Firefighter

Aaron Fields has been a firefighter for over 13 years, 6 of which have been spent training others in the state fire academy. After a close call in his first fire due to incomplete training, he has devoted his days to perfecting a hybrid fire hose handling method called Nozzle Forward. Now, Aaron can be

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Trees in Olympic National Forest

Ringing in the Pacific Northwest Summer with Jordan Butcher

Jordan Butcher is a designer and artworker living and working in Seattle. Originally from West Virginia, he grew up in the misty hills of the North Central area of the Mountain State, but has called Seattle his home since 2005. When not found exploring cities up and down the West Coast, or around a campfire,

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Search for South Pine - Justin Meyer

The Legend of South Pine Stream with Justin Meyer

Join Justin Salem Meyer — a fly-fishing enthusiast, photographer, and web designer based in Des Moines, Iowa — on a search for brook trout on the legendary South Pine stream. There is only one stream in Northeast Iowa that maintains an undisturbed population of Iowa’s only surviving native trout. These trout are genetically distinct from

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Matt Blodget foggy asphalt road disappears to the tree-lined horizon

Matt Blodgett: Feet on the Ground and Hands in the Work

Matt Blodgett is a full-time construction worker with a penchant for observation. A collection of disposable cameras stowed in his tool belt, jacket, and truck provide the means in which he documents his life experiences in rural Massachusetts. It’s been coming to me more and more lately. Usually between 6 and 6:30AM when I’m nearing

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Coyote Outside Death Valley

Alone Together, Part 2: Brian Merriam Faces Death Valley

Brian Merriam is an artist and musician, currently devoting the majority of his time to film photography. Originally from upstate New York, he has resided in Brooklyn for the last 8 years. Brian and his girlfriend set out to get lost in America in their first Filson Life post. Be careful what you wish for. The

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woman sits looking at sheer rock faces of black canyon

Alone Together: Brian Merriam Travels the Loneliest Road in America

Brian Merriam is an artist and musician, currently devoting the majority of his time to film photography. Originally from upstate New York, he has resided in Brooklyn for the last 8 years. Join Brian and his girlfriend on a trip west across the loneliest road in America. “You can call me the breeze, I

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Trade Stories: Zeph, the Proletariat Butcher puts his arm on a large section of meat on a prep table

Trade Stories: Zeph, the Proletariat Butcher

In a society where many people are far removed from the processes put in to food preparation, professional butchers like Zeph have taken the age-old craft in to their own hands. The 31 year-old Portland, Oregon resident has spent the last 6 years developing and espousing an unique approach to butchery focusing on positive stewardship

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Hands hold Flybox full of fly-fishing flies - Judith O'Keefe

Lunch With a Living Legend

Words and photos by Judith O’Keefe The weather was dreary, a typical March day on the North Umpqua River. A friend and I made the five hour drive over the mountains to meet up with John, a well known author, fly tier, longtime friend and — most importantly — frequent visitor to this legendary and

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man with red bandanna denim shirt and green jacket stands in front of train cars

Justin Chatwin: Border Run

Justin Chatwin is a Canadian actor with the heart of an American adventurer. He took time off from the set of Shameless and embarked on a Southwestern road trip with little more than a motorcycle, a good friend, some Filson and a pair of long johns. Below, his road letter from north of the border… Dear Filson, Thank you

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hand holds axe with leather axe blade cover

Trade Stories: Andy Gregory of NW Axe Co.

The history of the axe in America is ubiquitous. Trees as tall as Bunyan were felled with these sharpened glints of steel. Cities and towns across the nation were born of them. Great men and women were made by them. Now, men like Andy Gregory of NW Axe Co. are taking this time-honored tradition in

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Trade Stories: Mike at Kenmore Air works on drill press at workbench in factory

Trade Stories: Mike Smith of Kenmore Air

Kenmore is our kind of airline. Family owned and operated out of Washington State since 1946, no one knows their way around a bush plane better. We sat down with machinist Mike Smith, a Kenmore veteran of 11 years, to talk welding, banjos, and bird dogs. What’s your trade? I make and repair airplane parts, tools

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Jason Ramos in black coat in vehicle

Trade Stories: Jason Ramos, Smokejumper

Jason Ramos has devoted 25 years of his life to the fire service. Now a full-fledged smokejumper working out of Winthrop, Washington, Jason has learned to expect the unexpected everyday. On a clouded and cool afternoon, Filson caught up with Jason aboard his ‘home away from home,’ a custom camper Sportsmobile. How did you

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man in baker boy hat and buttondown shirt stands at leather goods workbench

Trade Stories: Matt Pierce of Wood & Faulk

Photos courtesy of Wood&Faulk. Matt Pierce is a modern day jack of all trades. Born in Kansas, the tinkerer’s interests in carpentry and mechanics were honed through interactions with close friends and family. Eight years ago, Matt gathered the gumption to uproot, leave Kansas, and relocate to Portland, Oregon. Currently, he runs a blog entitled

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Depth in the Field: Photographer Lee Kjos Invites Filson In

Q&A with Lee Kjos: outdoor photographer & ducks unlimited ambassador.
Lee’s photographs drip with a distinctive style. Born and raised in minnesota, kjos has spent a majority of his life in the outdoors, and his appreciation of the perfect day in the field is palpable. Ever since his first photograph—which he remembers vividly—lee has aimed to capture the best possible image of his subject; it’s been a tireless pursuit that has certainly paid off.

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George barnett black and white polaroid of man standing in front of woodland lake

George Barnett’s Surreal Wilderness Photography

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

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Filson in the Field: Bob’s Sustainable Ranching in Wyoming Story

Bob’s Sustainable Ranching Story – Filson in the Field Video, Wyoming from Filson on Vimeo. Bob Taylor, with the help of his wife Maggie and their daughter, Marisa, raise organic, grass fed, Black Angus beef cattle on Lonetree Ranch in Lonetree, Wyoming. An accomplished veterinarian (and one time host and focus of Animal Planet’s Emergency

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