As a fisherman, there are few things in this world that can be labeled as truth. Bad weather is just over the horizon, the size of the fish is about half what the beer says it was, and a bad day on the water is better for the soul than a good day at work. Life and fishing are difficult enough, creating another obstacle seems outlandish. But in THAT lies the challenge! Great Minds Think Alike March is a special month in a fishing shop. It is a transition period between hard water and open water. Ice houses, augers, and coveralls are stored away for the year and out come the spinning rods, tackle boxes, and bait coolers. It is also the time that new gear starts showing up on the shelves. The "brand new thing" for us here at North 40 are the Kinchou Shads and Minnows from Matzuo. While we were putting the finishing touches on the display, D... Read more

Nucanoe was founded on a simple phrase: "Get a billion butts in boats." We know simplicity works, and this is true for Nucanoe as well. The product does what you would expect it too it is a hybrid between a kayak and a canoe and offers exceptional versatility and customization options. I talked to Blake, the CEO, and he told me no two Nucanoes are alike some people use them to fly fish and strip them down to drift, some people motor them up to get more mobility out of it. A story that really stuck out to me was that of an older customer 75 years and had been kayak fishing for decades. He wrote into Blake and told him until he found Nucanoe, he thought his kayak days were over- getting into and out of a traditional kayak had become too much for him to do, but with the open Nucanoe design, which makes it much easier to use alone, this gent... Read more

The Lamiglas NWSS (Northwest Steelhead Salmon Series) was made by the North 40 crew to mimic the higher end Ti1000 Lamiglas rods, while maintaining a lower price point. Check out our selection of Lamiglas fishing rods online here. Features of the Lamiglas NWSS Fishing Rods We started with a black, G200 series blank, and accented the lower guides with red wraps. The rod features a sanded blank that is left uncoated by resins. This allows the rod to be much lighter in the hand and creates less hand fatigue after long days on the water drifting or casting. The rod also features several extra guides making it a 14 eye rod, in the casting/level wind version. This allows the rod to bend true when placed in a downrigger or fighting a fish. The rod has a traditional cork grip with a composite reel seat similar to the G200. Lamiglas NWSS Spinnin... Read more

It all began standing over a hole in the ice on the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir east of Helena, MT. I was on my first of many ice fishing adventures with my dad (Kit) and my grandpa (Poppy). Although I can't fully remember the entire experience of reeling in my first fish (a big rainbow trout), it somehow instilled a passion into my veins that never left. And when I look at the photo, I can almost remember the feeling I felt..almost. But, what I can remember is having cold toes and a happy heart! Now many years later, my best pal and adventure buddy, Chris Schlenker, and I always take an annual trip to the remote and magical Fort Peck Reservoir. The first few years were a big learning experience being under-geared and uneducated on the massive body of water. Our biggest setback was our old Tecumseh power auger. In fact, it was the... Read more

Every year we head down to Lewiston and fish the Clearwater River for steelhead and salmon.  Each year our intent is to swing flies during the day and pull plugs at night. Night fishing on the Clearwater River and Snake River can be very fun if the conditions are right.  My plug of choice is the Brad's Lighted Wiggler in various colors.  I usually like to run a few different colors to see what they are wanting to eat.  Brad's Magnum Lighted Wiggler also works well. The Clearwater requires barbless hooks, so I prep my plugs before heading out fishing.  I first remove the front treble hook and split ring.  Then I remove the rear treble hook and add a #7 crane swivel to the split ring.  On the back of the crane swivel I add another split ring, a size 4 works fine.  Then I add a Gamakatsu Octopus hook to the split ring.  Having the... Read more

Gina Beck, Clothing Lead  "I've been here since Big R bought D & B Supply-I was a key holder there, a lead, as you call it. It's always a nervous time when companies change hands I mean for employees, you never know what's going to happen, who's going to stay, who's going to go- It wasn't like that when North 40 took the reins. As former D & B Supply employees, we were already 'family.' It was that treatment that really made an impression on me I know Renee from our CDA store, we talked and shared the same experience that feeling that right away, the store and the management, they were all invested in us it really felt like the company was 'our company.'  Now I've been here for 4 years, and I wouldn't want to work anywhere else. With this expansion, I've gone from having 6 employees to 16... and our clothing floor space? Almost... Read more

What are you doing this Father's Day weekend? If you don't have plans, residents and visitors alike will be able to fish for free that weekend so if you don't know, now you know. This statewide tradition has been in effect since 2011, and will continue this Father's Day weekend, June 17th and 18th, 2017. We have equipment for gear fishers here and an entire site dedicated to fly fishing right here. Everyone can fish for free and we have some great employee resources. If you're interested, but haven't tried it out before, come in and ask about a setup to get you out this weekend and check out our #RippleEffect program designed to help new anglers get outfitted without breaking the bank. Remember to follow Montana's state regulations when you're out there. Here's some great waters to try out: Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, Bitterroot and ... Read more

AGM Batteries are a good choice for anyone looking for a new battery to put in their boat.  AGM's are spill proof because the acid absorbs into fine fiberglass crystals inside the battery.  Having a spill proof battery on rough seas and choppy rivers really boosts the confidence of any boater out on the water. You can see our selection of AGM batteries online here. AGM Batteries are a good choice for anyone looking for a new battery to put in their boat.  AGM's are spill proof because the acid absorbs into fine fiberglass crystals inside the battery.  Having a spill proof battery on rough seas and choppy rivers really boosts the confidence of any boater out on the water. Learn more about DuraStart--made in America batteries right here. AGM batteries have a low internal resistance while still maintaining a quick response time with hig... Read more

Berkley Flicker Shad Fishing Lure Review Read more

Below are the latest standings for the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club's Spring K&K Derby. Remember, derby tickets are available at North 40 Fly Shop and the derby lasts until Saturday. Standings as of April 29th Kokanee Ranking Trevor Walkington - Weight: 0.44lbs. - Length: 11.5 inches. Junior Division Ranking Dylan Moore - Weight: 6.06lbs. - Length: 25.25 inches. Joe Kasperson - Weight: 1.14lbs. - Length: 15 inches. Tatum Hartley - Weight: 0.80lbs. - Length: 14 inches. Rainbow Ranking Derek Blanchard - Weight: 21.16lbs. - Length: 34.5 inches. Vern Scott - Weight: 20.5lbs. - Length: 34 inches. Randy Vanderkolk - Weight: 16.66lbs. - Length: 34.75 inches. Kevin Reiber - Weight: 16.42lbs. - Length: 32.5 inches. Cory LaRue - Weight: 15.6lbs. - Length: 33.5 inches. Mackinaw Ranking Edwin Dickson - Weight: 23.58lbs. - Length: 38 inches. B... Read more

Just got my NuCanoe this past week and finally had time to add a seat, fly rod Ram mount and anchor system to it so that I could get it out on the water in proper fly fishing regalia. I purchased the Frontier 12 so that I could add a seat if I wanted to use the boat with my wife, or to use as a mini drifter for some stealthy dry fly rowing in smaller water (hopefully more to come on that). Transporting the NuCanoe to the Water I have a short bed half ton pickup so I was a little worried about transport without a trailer.  However the boat hangs over my tailgate when it's down about 2-3 feet if I put the boat diagonally in the bed to maximize distance.  Since I have the 360 seat the seat bracket, it works perfectly to strap to my truck bed.  One ratchet strap keeps the boat very secure. Need ratchet straps? We have them for sale onlin... Read more

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