If you have chickens, or if you are thinking about starting your own chicken coop this year, there's one aspect you might have overlooked, and that's the value of chickens and organic refuse. Chickens are one of the best natural composters you can own, and it's not only easy, but better for your chickens if you can harness this composting power. All you need to do is switch up your chicken run game, aka lay down a bale of straw (which is a high carbon base) over which you pile your old broccoli, your salad scraps, trimmings from your garden and etc. The chickens will mix this with the sand from your coop. Do you know the hidden uses of chickens? Nitrogen and Chicken Poop: Garden Food The best part of this equation? Chicken poop is high-nitrogen. So not only are the chickens turning over the organic matter and mixing it with the high-carbo...

Missouri River Fly Fishers and North 40 Outfitters teamed up with Eagle Mount of Great Falls to host a fishing event Thursday (July16) at Wadsworth Pond. Eagle Mount participants of all ages got a chance to learn about local warm and cold water fish, experience fly tying, and take a crack at fly fishing. North 40 assistant manager Wayne Jordan teaches the basics of fly tying and knots to some eager participants. Some extra large hooks, yarn and colorful feathers made these behemoth flies real pieces of art. Even some one-of-a-kind handmade tenkara rods appeared out of the arts and crafts. Next was the fun and games. Kids even got firsthand experience of what it is like to be a fish chasing after worms on a line. Remember no hands allowed.   After all of the fun and games, the fishing commenced. Terry Jenner, Dutch Erkenbrack, an...

Denver's on the vise tying a muddler style steelhead pattern this week. Denver Uses this versatile little swing pattern for summer/winter steelhead in the inland Northwest. Works as a great trout fly as well. Materials: Gamakatsu P10 Size 6 (4-10) Senyo's laser dub black Lady Amherst tippets: Red and black Gold Tinsel Medium Size Black Deer Belly From Sam: Denver designed this steelhead skater specifically for the Grande Ronde outside of Lewiston Idaho- Denver says they #sookitdown

After our recent publication of our Horse's Year on Zoetis, I got to chat with a local Montana vet about real world things you can do to help prevent your horses from coming down with the deadly virus. Dr. Jack Newman was able to give me some pretty straight forward advice as to "best practices" when acting against West Nile. Check out the article we wrote with Dr. Newman on how to deworm your horse. Like the recent controversy over human vaccinations, the horse world has its own share of West Nile experts and social media "epidemics." Here are a few I've come across: 1. "Don't inoculate against West Nile because it causes arthritis in the left hock." 2.  Vaccines "dry up the joints." 3. "Vaccines cause kidney failure." These types of concerns exist, and if you have serious concerns regarding such issues, it's always best to consult...

N40 media team is on the road this week visiting our Coeur d’Alene store gathering local content as we prepare for our grand opening event. This store team has been hard at it for several months, and they are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. The changes are very evident from the last time I was here, and this store is looking sharp. The North 40 Fly Shop, an expanded selection of clothing and footwear it’s all coming along together nicely, and they are putting the finishing touches on the new archery shop. We have to commend this store team for really pushing through some long days, and also to our CDA customers for their patience on this remodel as we continue to work toward becoming a more diversified product solution center for the Coeur d’Alene market. Today we went out fly-fishing the CDA River and shot some fo...

This is a simple, yet effective, damsel pattern tied with minimal materials. Fish it primarily is still water, like lakes or slow moving river currents. Recipe: Ribbing: Medium Black Mono Nymph Eyes Body: Marabou Blood Quills Golden Olive Hook: 4x Streamer 8 - 10 Thread: Green Ultra Thread

Brandon Miller recently purchased an Echo Glass 3wt. He was looking for something small and light for creek fishing. I suggested the Echo Glass. So far, I’ve heard nothing but good things from anglers who are fishing them. Brandon came in to the shop today raving about the fun he is having on his new Echo Glass. He’s trying to convince one of his fishing buddies to get one. I love hearing from happy customers about the fun they are having with purchases from our store. Fly fishing is supposed to be fun and we are here to help outfit your work and play. In the fly shop, we are way into the play side. The 3 weight Echo Glass is a perfect fit for small stream trout fishing. It’s a spot-on match for the 8-14" fish that are commonly found. Rumor has it Brandon also landed a 20" Brown from a small creek on his new Echo Glass. He was ple...

My name is Bryden Martinez.  I'm 10 years old.  My Dad took me to North 40 for some car parts and he let me buy some hiking socks for my birthday.  He says everyone needs socks for their birthday.  Smartwool was the name, in pink or blue.  I picked blue.  When we got home I tried them on and felt like I was in heaven!  They felt warm and I had a perfect amount of room for my toes to move. My friend and I went camping for my birthday, and I got to try them outside with my hiking shoes.  I felt like they were better to hike in than any other sock.  I tried them with my Keens too, and got them wet when we were making a pool in the creek next to our fort.  It was so hot out, so I just let my socks dry in the trees like my Dad sometimes does with his stuff.  They were dry pretty fast and I used them again at night to keep my feet ...

It seems like I have tried my hand at a little of everything in my short 21 years. Growing up, I had a deep love for animals and I searched for anything that meant I could spend more time in the barn and less time in the house. From choosing the correct tack for my performance horses to winning Grand Champion with my barn cat at the county fair, I've always been involved in livestock and shows. I'm the daughter of an outfitter, which means that hunting and fishing is a way of life. In the spring, I love to fly fish and hike. I could spend every day on the river catching trout... or attempting to. When I don't have my crown on as Miss Rodeo Montana, you can find me working as a dental lab technician in scrubs of many colors. Stay tuned to yourlocal40.com for more blogs and write ups as North 40 helps promote the Western culture alongsi...