Page 5 - Outdoor

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 about One Lure: The Shad Challenge

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 about Nucanoe: Get a Billion Butts in Boats

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 about Simms: From Bozeman to Your Local Fly Shop

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 about Lamiglas Fishing NWSS Rods Review: Northwest Steelhead Salmon Series Rods

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 about Mountain Hardwear for Outdoor Gear & Apparel?

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 about Brand Identity: What You Stand For

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 about Why do you need wool socks?

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 about How do you Notch Logs for Shelters?

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 about When to Wear Sock Liners

Camping & Backpacking Myths: Budget, Tons of Time & Fitness Le... Read more about Camping & Backpacking Myths: Budget, Tons of Time & Fitness Level

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 about Hardwater Traditions

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 about How to Clean & Waterproof Leather Boots