Page 5 - Outdoor

In Episode 13 of AskNorth40, we were asked a question about where Simms clothing came from as some shirts say Bozeman, MT while others say Buy Local. To answer this question, we facetimed Michael White from Simms Fishing about where their products are manufactured. The answer to this question became twofold as Michael addressed Simms manufacturing production as well as their ideology behind the Buy Local shirts.   Simms Factory Tour in Bozeman, Montana As a manufacturer, Simms Fishing has been located in Bozeman, MT, since 1993 when the current owner, K.C. Walsh, acquired the company and relocated it from Jackson, Wyoming. Since then, the company has had a partnership with W.L. Gore & Associates (makers of GORE-TEX® fabric) to develop the breathable, GORE-TEX® Waders that Simms is known for. In 2012, Bozeman became the permane... 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

Mountain Hardwear is a great company with a selection of gear that's ready to take on the craziest of adventures. They've got gear and equipment for everything from skiing to hiking to mountain climbing to camping. And all of it is top notch. They put their best into everything they make to provide the best gear out there for all you crazy adventurers. But that's not all that they do. While they are a top-line outdoor gear company, Mountain Hardwear is also very involved with the community. They support and are a part of a number of outdoor associations to better the communities they serve, seeking to help everyone from the climber to the nature lover. Just to name a few of their associations, they support the US Forest Service, donate to the American Alpine Club (AAC) as well as fund one of their explore grant, and are a member of the A... Read more

Having a brand goes beyond the name. A brand reflexes the values, the passions, the integrity, and more importantly, the people involved with the brand, from the owner to the consumer. A brand should be synonymous with what it stands for as much if not more so than the product or service that they provide. We ourselves went through a change of name, from Big R to North 40 Outfitters, and try our best to maintain and improve our brand. However, this article isn't about us; it's about at brand that we are proud to be associated with, even if we are only a small part of a bigger whole. Mountain Hardwear is more than what their name suggests, though they live up to that name pretty darn well. With a line of products that is designed to endure the craziest of adventures, that really isn't that surprising. But that is the point right there, I ... Read more

Socks: the thing that's ruined a thousand hikes... and a thousand camping trips. For outdoor enthusiasts that have faced the beast of bad socks (and have had the bloody blisters to prove it), you already know how important your socks are to enjoying your time outdoors. For the rest of you, as yet unbroken (or should we say "unblooded"?), outdoor enthusiasts... you may have just stumbled across a blog that saves your feet and your experience outdoors. If you're wondering, "Why are socks so important, and why should I pay so much more for ONE pair... when I can get 4 pairs for under $10?" Then this is EXACTLY where you need to be. Men: Check these socks out to see what I am talking about... and for the ladies, these. Good socks are expensive for a reason--they're built to fit your foot and do a job those "normal," 6-pair-a-pack cotton, wh... Read more

There are many ways to select logs for your cabin, but a great takeaway for this blog: "A man who builds a poplar cabin will die in it." This is an old saying because poplar is renowned for rotting out quickly. If you go with cedar trees, they have a higher acidity which acts as a natural preservative and protects against rot. Another great option is pine because they grow relatively straight. So you have your logs selected and on the premises. Now what? Besides getting started with great hand tools, How do I notch logs for building log homes, shelters or windbreaks for livestock? Butt and go: this is a simple joining technique that needs no scribing, you use a drill and rebar and essentially pin the logs together at the ends. Saddle notch simple joining technique whereby a rounded notch is cut from the bottom face of a log and forms ... Read more

Is a sock liner a vestigial remnant (that means throwback) of a time when hiking socks were made of Brillo pad type wool, or do they have a place in the modern sock era? Wellllllll-- kind of, but not really. That's vague, true, so let's break it down. The Evolution of Wool Socks Wool has come a long way since the old days of Brill-Wool- Merino wool is stock and staple in most hiking socks and hiking/backpacking gear because it often negates the need for wearing sock liners. Check out these socks made with Merino. Plus Merino is even used in base layers like these. The purpose of a sock liner, like Luke says in the video, is to add a hydrophobic layer between your skin and the thicker, insulating layer on the outside. This will allow sweat from your foot to be wicked away from your skin and help prevent "hot spots," blisters or discomfor... Read more

Camping & Backpacking Myths: Budget, Tons of Time & Fitness Le... 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

You did it. Spent hard earn money on a nice pair of Justin's or Tony Lama's. Then it happened: rain, mud, gumbo, pasture land flat tires... or kids, or maybe all that at once. When you want to get your boots back in action and ready for a night out, you need to do it the right way. Want to learn how to stretch your leather boots so they fit perfectly? Below you'll find a North 40 guide to getting your boots shined up like new. Step by Step Instruction on Cleaning Leather Boots 1. Use a damp cloth to remove any mud or residue (you can also use a dry eraser or brush to remove any scuff marks) 2. If your boots become wet or saturated, the first thing you need to do is remove the insole 3. Use an absorbent tissue paper such as a paper towel and dry the boot thoroughly 4. Remember to never put your boots in direct heat as it causes cracking 5... 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

Walk into my garage and do you know what you are met with? A barrage of towering boxes waiting to be unpacked. However, if you side step twice, do a half spin, duck down, then pivot to the right, you will be standing in the ideal place to view my 'wall-o-packs.' So even though my wife's outrageously large coffee mug collection and my favorite morning breakfast toast plate are still boxed up, we did manage to organize the packs that propel our weekend adventures. What can I say? Priorities. Want to check out our selection and colors on the Scrambler 30 by Mountain Hardwear? The latest addition to the 'wall-o-packs' is the Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 Outdry Backpack. Now although the name may seem too long and lack what marketers call "spice", it does virtually tell you everything you need to know about this backpack. How's the Size on ... Read more