Willis "Kubie" Brown

Willis "Kubie" Brown Willis "Kubie" Brown is a writer for the Loadout Room as well as a freelance writer for several small publications. He also works as professional fishing and hunting guide working primarily in Southwestern Montana. Kubie's love of the outdoors has led him to explore much of North and South America, where he spends most of his time driving and sleeping in beat-up Toyota 4 runner, in-between long jaunts of hiking, camping, hunting, and perhaps his greatest passion, fly fishing. Kubie attended Southern Vermont College where he mostly played rugby and studied literature before receiving his B.A in Creative Writing. When he's not out in the field doing what he loves, Kubie spends most of his free time tying flies, sketching, rock climbing, cross country skiing, and sampling different varieties of whiskey. He runs his own fly fishing blog called Fertile Waters Media which can be found at www.fertilewatersmedia.com. His Instagram is also available at kubiebrown_fertilewaters.

Wilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire

Fire is life. It’s cooks our food, it keeps us warm, it drives away the darkness in which we sometimes find ourselves. There’s something incredibly calming, almost meditative, about sitting in front of a crackling blaze. We stare at it intently, slowly getting lost in the flames. Fire connects us, with each other, with ourselves, […]

‘Man, you got the life!’ — The truth about being a wilderness guide

“Man you got the life,” my client said as he stared out at the river. He walked out to the bank and started to slap the water with his rod tip, while his fly line piled up three feet in front of him. “Stop your rod tip a bit higher on the forward cast,” I […]

Opening Day: A holiday for fishermen everywhere

I always set the alarm. I didn’t need the alarm, but I still set it because it was tradition. I didn’t need to though, since I was always awake well before it actually went off. I’d sit in my bed, staring at the glowing face of the clock, counting down the seconds. I’d finally leap […]

What would John Wayne do? Finding the warrior spirit in fly fishing

I grew up watching John Wayne movies and idolizing his no-holds barred ‘kick open the saloon doors, knock out the bad guy, and kiss the lady before anyone know what the hell is going on’ way of doing things. John Wayne was more than an actor, more than an icon, he was a state of […]

Op-Ed: You should be eating wild game meat. Here’s why (and how)

I always have trouble grocery shopping. When I’m wandering down the refrigerator section, staring at what seems to be an endless supply of meat, trying to decide if I want a t-bone or a ribeye for dinner, I start to feel anxious. I stare at and sort through the meat menagerie, each piece wrapped in […]

Stop ‘glamping’ and get back to basics with these minimalist camping tips from a wilderness survival expert

I grew up camping. Some of my happiest childhood memories are of being curled up in a sleeping bag and a pup tent, reading comics by flashlight. I always assumed everyone grew up that way, loving and appreciating the outdoors by visiting it every now and again. So, you can imagine my shock and utter […]

Bear mace and singing songs: Expert wildlife guide explains how to survive life in Grizzly country

Human beings have always had a fascination with big predators. They are a part of our culture. We visit them in zoos where we’re safe. They show up as mascots of sports teams. Their images are plastered on t-shirts, posters, and hats. We can’t get enough of them. Predators even show up as the protagonists […]

The right booze for the catch of the day: Expert angler breaks down the right drink for whatever you’re fishing for

The steelhead slid from my hands back into the dark cold of the river. He hung for a moment on the edge of the clear shallows, giving me one last glance at a bright rose-colored cheek before turning his nose and lunging hard back into the current. That fish had been hard earned. I had […]