Undercover Shop Visit: Filson Edition

Upon learning that Seattle, Washington based Filson opened up a store just down the street from the FlyfishMagazine HQ, I really couldn't help dropping by and snapping a few pictures inside the newly opened temple to tincloth and flannel.  The new shop is located in the upscale Legacy West area of Plano, TX.  In the same vein as our "Undercover Fly Shop visits", we kept our presence under wraps and luckily didn't get shown the door by security.

The Rustic Exterior

Lots of wood, antlers, and even a pair of original Filson Pants add to the decor.

The clothes are nice but the luggage / packs are awesome.

The location seemed to carry a fairly complete representation of the Filson line of products including clothing, luggage, hats and packs.  Service was excellent with a staff member making sure I got a look at all the fishing related offerings.

The thing to know about Filson is, that while you will pay a premium for their gear, (their simplest fly fishing vest is $225), the products are so well made that you will probably never have to purchase it again in this, or possibly even your grandchildren's, lifetimes.  About eight years ago Filson sent me a fly fishing bag.  I have carried it all over the country and it remains so new looking that it makes me worry that folks will think I am some sort of yuppie who never gets his line in the water.  I didn't make a purchase today, but I do have my eye on a $45 ball cap should I ever find myself in the store without The Editorial Trophy Wife in tow.

For the Christmas List: Orvis 1954 Airstream Flying Cloud

It looks like the Orvis PR Department has finally decided to sell off their weekend retreat. Orvis is acutioning off a fully restored 1954 Airstream Flying cloud. Current bid is $76,000.

From the auction listing:
An American icon restored to its former glory. Originally used as a hunting and fishing lodge near Goose Lake, Oregon, this one-of-a-kind classic has been meticulously restored by Timeless Travel Trailers, the premiere custom travel-trailer builder in North America. Procured specifically for Orvis, this trailer was transported to the company's facility in Denver, Colorado, for a complete artisan rebuild. No detail was overlooked during the ground-up customization, resulting in a trailer that is in better-than-new condition.

The gleaming hand-polished exterior is only the first hint that this trailer is truly special. Inside, the warm and cozy Orvis-inspired cabin is appointed with natural hickory wood, aged oak flooring, copper sheet, and genuine leather. Brand-new running gear has been installed below including a new axle, brakes, suspension, wheels, tires, and coupler. All of the systems have been upgraded to meet or exceed current industry standards. Provisions have been made for adding air conditioning. This trailer is road ready and fully prepared for your next fishing, hunting, or cross-country expedition. For more information and photos, visit Orvis Timeless Airstream

If you win the auction, we call dibs on the top bunk.

All I want for Christmas...

You may have noticed the lack of our traditional holiday gift guide this season. Factors such as everybody else doing one and us having access to some amazing content from Patagonia via @OutsideHilary, made the decision to skip it a no-brainer. We will still be heavy on product features and when it all boils down, anything we feature on FlyfishMagazine.com would make an excellent addition to any angler's stocking foot waders.

However, I could not resist posting this premo holiday gift item when the Editorial Trophy Wife dug up an auction notice for the Diamond Shoals Light Station located 13 miles of the coast of Hatteras in our much beloved North Carolina. I couldn't help but think what a great corporate HQ / offshore casino /fishing lodge/ independent man made island principality, this would be for the FlyfishMagazine crew.

"COMING SPRING 2010. The light station is a steel oil drilling platform, known as a Texas Tower, that has been modified to act as a light station. It is located approximately 13 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras. The platform includes two (2) floors. The subfloor consists of a 5,000 square feet living area. "

Sure we might need a crane or something to hoist @CaptGordon's skiff up top when the weather starts to blow (after all it is the Graveyard of the Atlantic), and we would certainly need to pick up a couple of silkworm missile launchers from China and a few twin .50 cals to keep the Somali Gillnetters off the decks.

Capt. Paul Rose might be convinced that redfish really are the carp of the sea.

Jay Moore might actually get to fish for trout around the pilings. Something that has been lacking for him lately.

Phil Duke could use the isolation to literally write reams of articles about his trip (singular) to the Caney Fork in Tennessee.

The Editorial Trophy Wife and I would simply be happy to own a house in Carolina again.