Bender & Flynn Darter Antique Lure

This Bender & Flynn Darter Antique Lure was created in and around 1945. This creation made by Albert Bender & E.C. Flynn of Pinellas Park, Florida. Albert Bender a Wood Worker, E.C. Flynn and artist combined talents the year that ended the great war and together created and produced lures for the Florida fisherman. The Darter both straight and jointed is said to have been as a direct reflection of the popular Creek Chub Darter. While their partnership would only last a year, after which Albert’s nephew would assume the artistry role and Flynn would be gone it was just long enough for B&F to create a few finishes that are their hallmark of their darter.

We have a Rare and Wonderfully painted Darter in on Consignment this week, click below to view.
Bender & Flynn Most Beautiful Darter Ever

The one piece Darter was given a model series number 22. This wooden lure measured 4″ in length and topped the scales at around 5/8 oz. The Darter lure would only ever be made with painted eyes sitting just below the single forward line tie. The lure would have and use 3 standard sized treble hooks to secure its catch. Bender & Flynn would use a traditional cup style rigging to attach these to its wooden body. Its written in a wonderful series of books put together by Bill Stuart that the Darter can be dated as the B&F duo only used a few finishes the first year while Flynn was there. One of these finishes being the super example shown below. This is the only one I’ve ever been able to hold in this color, and let me tell you its a very neat paint pattern. The signature of Flynn was the 4 hand painted gills. that can be seen on this lure coined “The Most Beautiful Darter Ever”. With lures like this it is very easy to see how someone can get “Hooked” on collecting Florida made antique fishing lures.