Category Archives: 19th Century Fishing Lures

19th Century Fishing Line

19th Century Fishing Line 19th Century Fishing Line – Fishing lines came in a variety of packaging styles in the late 1800s besides being wound on wooden spools (which were introduced in the late 1870s). It was very common to find lines sold in “HANKS” (wrapped in elongated coils with the final wraps around the […]

Buel Original Spoon Bait

Buel Original Spoon Bait

Buel Original Spoon Bait This Buel Original Spoon Bait article comes to us from a Hardware trade book Iron Age in 1893. What you will find interesting is that it gives us a date of 1834. In discussing this with a friend, and fellow lover of old metal lures he was aware of the story, […]

Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel

Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel

Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel This great little ad discusses the Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel. This comes to us from 1884, 137 years ago. Early advertising for lures mentioned in here such as the Crystal Minnow, and the Flying Helgramite are hard to come by so enjoy. Pflueger Flying Helramite Vs Chapman […]

WD Chapman Brockville Ontario Lure Ad 1883

WD Chapman Brockville Ontario Lure Ad

WD Chapman Brockville Ontario Lure Ad This great WD Chapman Brockville Ontario Lure Ad comes to us from 1883. While this antique lure ad shows the WD Chapman Allure bait. The ad also gives us some other clues to putting together another of the Antique Fishing Lure Puzzles. We see that it uses the name […]

Chapman Combination Minnow Lure Ad

Chapman Combination Minnow Lure Ad

Chapman Combination Minnow Lure Ad This WD Chapman Combination Minnow Lure Ad is out of Forrest and Stream from January 25th, 1885. Chapman’s Bait Still Ahead The “New Combination,” Just Out. See Cut In Three Sizes for Pike, Pickerel, Bass, Trout & Muskellunge Read the Testimonials: W.D. Chapman and Son, Theresa, New York: As an […]

Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888

Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888

Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888 This Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888 ad is one of those that I found off the beaten path. Recording media has been done since the beginning of time, its just the mode, methods and the medium for transmission have change. I found this great old Pflueger Antique Fly Fishing lure […]

Grover Cleveland Fisherman President

Grover Cleveland Fisherman President

Grover Cleveland Fisherman President What do Grover Cleveland Fisherman President and Joseph Decatur, Dr Kassen Gibson and the small town I grew up in in Upstate NY have in common? Grover Cleveland, who in my opinion was one of our best presidents was arguably one of the better fisherman and outdoors sportsmen presidents of all time. […]

Pflueger May Bug Lure Ad 1904

Pflueger May Bug Lure Ad

Pflueger May Bug Lure Ad This Pflueger May Bug Lure Ad comes to us from a vintage 1904 Enterprise Manufacturing Company; Pflueger Lure and Reel Catalog. The May Bug spoon itself dates back into the 1800’s and can be fished bait casting as well as skittering. The May Bug has always been a favorite among […]

Fowler Reel Ad Abbey Imbrie 1884

Fowler Reel Ad 1884

Fowler Reel Ad Abbey Imbrie 1884 This Fowler Reel Ad comes to us from a Abbey Imbrie antique fishing tackle catalog. The antique lure and reel catalog was published in 1884 and provides for us this great ad. Enough cant be said about vintage or antique advertising giving us glimpses into the past from which the […]

Chapman Gut Fishing Leader

Chapman Gut Fishing Leader

Chapman Gut Fishing Leader This Chapman Gut Fishing Leader ad was published May 28th, 1889 and is features in the Chapman in the News Section. This article shows in part the breadth that Chapman played in the Fishing Tackle Industry. From the line, to the lure, the reels, rods and even the swivels, WD was […]

Chapman Letter to Huntsmen

Chapman Letter to Huntsmen

Chapman Letter to Huntsmen This Chapman Letter to Huntsmen was published October 6th, 1889 and is featured in Chapman In the News Headquarters For Sporting Goods in Rochester  An Open Letter to Huntsmen This season we have made special purchases for your benefit in the way of Hunting Outfits nd accoutrements. We are handling the Stevens, […]

WD Chapman Christmas Questions

WD Chapman Christmas Questions

WD Chapman Christmas Questions WD Chapman Christmas Questions was published December 19th, 1892, and is part of the Chapman in the News Series. What Shall I get My Husband? What Shall I Get My Son?  What Shall I get My Brother? What Shall I Get My Lover? These are the Questions Which Will Be  Asked […]

Chapman Electric Bait Ad

Chapman Electric Bait Ad

Chapman Electric Bait Ad This WD Chapman & Son & Company Electric Bait Ad was published June 16th, 1889 and is part of our Chapman in the News Page. W.D. Chapman, Son & Co. 121 State Street  The Weather is warm: Our Business is Hot! But we are loaded with goods which you want for […]

WD Chapman Minnow Propeller Definition

WD Chapman Minnow Propeller Definition

WD Chapman Minnow Propeller Definition This WD Chapman Minnow Propeller Definition is a pretty unique advertisement. It lends itself or proves that life was simpler back then in the 19th century. In a day and age where everything seems to be complicated from our fishing boats to the equipment installed upon them, we have come […]

Chapman Mascot Lure Ad

Chapman Mascot Lure Ad

Chapman Mascot Lure Ad This Chapman Mascot Lure Ad was published May 28th 1892, featuring its New Mascot Bait. Get Your Fishing Tackle and Sporting Goods at Chapmans, 121 State Street, Rochester N.Y. The Largest Assortment of any House in the United States. Chapman’s New Mascot Baits, in Seven Sizes. DECORATION DAY IS HERE, AND […]

Antique Lure History Collage

Antique Lure History Collage

Antique Lure History Collage While this Antique Lure History Collage isn’t very old all being published in 1986, the author took great care in inserting some wonderful “Easter Eggs” to find. This photo was taken from an article in 1986, from “The Florida Today” newspaper. How many can you find? The Heddon Slope Nose or […]

Pflueger Joseph Spoon Lure

Pflueger Joseph Spoon Lure

Pflueger Joseph Spoon Lure The Pflueger Joseph Spoon was said to have been introduced around the late 1880’s. Pflueger, the Enterprise Manufacturing Company of Akron, Ohio expanded their metal spinner and lure offering through innovations, patent purchases, mergers and aquisitions as well as making things very much like other companies. This antique fishing lure was […]

Pflueger Propeller Antique Lure

Pflueger Propeller Antique Lure

Pflueger Propeller Antique Lure The Pflueger Propeller Antique Lure is great piece of 19th Century metal. This antique lure was first made made by the Enterprise Manufacturing Company of Akron Ohio around 1886. There were two different versions available in the catalog. The “Propeller” was given a model 691, and was the non-luminous version, and […]

Pflueger Angle Worm Lure

Pflueger Angle Worm Lure

Pflueger Angle Worm Lure The Pflueger Angle Worm Lure was first introduced in 1894. While the Angle Worm would be new, making rubber lures was not a new thing for the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, Pflueger, of Akron Ohio. I’ve said for a before that I believe Pflueger’s choice of rubber as a antique lure medium […]

Pflueger American Spinner Lure

Pflueger American Spinner Lure

Pflueger American Spinner Lure The Pflueger American Spinner Lure was first introduced around 1894. The Enterprise Manufacturing Company of Akron, Ohio would not be the only one to make this lure. A very similar with notable differences was produced and patented by John B. McHarg in 1896 as well as The Hedryx Bait Company. With […]

Pflueger Puritan Beaded Egg Bait

Pflueger Puritan Beaded Egg Bait

Pflueger Puritan Beaded Egg Bait The Pflueger Puritan Beaded Egg Bait fishing lure was introduced some time after 1886. The Enterprise manufacturing Company of Akron Ohio is said to have purchased the patent rights to a lure. The antique lure called the Hamilton, originally made by the Nye Creaser Company. This antique lure can be […]

Pflueger Antique Lure 1893 Sportsman Directory

Pflueger Antique Lure 1893 Sportsman Directory

Pflueger Antique Lure 1893 Sportsman Directory In this Pflueger Antique Lure 1893 Sportsman Directory advertisement we see the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, Pflueger advertise its luminous lures. The Enterprise Manufacturing Co., out of Akron, Ohio had just a year earlier come out with the Success Spinner. The advertisement recants an anglers success and experiences with one of […]

1888 Thomas Conroy Billhead

1888 Thomas Conroy Billhead

1888 Thomas Conroy Billhead This 1888 Thomas Conroy Billhead is a great piece of Ephemera. Paper goods from the previous century provide us large cookie crumbs along our way to finding out some of the riddles. If for nothing else the Bill head, and envelope provide a picture or window into business names during certain […]

Brush Trolling Spoon 1880 Ad

Brush Trolling Spoon 1880 Ad

Brush Trolling Spoon 1880 Ad Here is a great Brush Trolling Spoon 1880 Ad. Taken from Forest and Stream the May 20th 1880 weekly edition. The ad actually uses the patent drawing in its advertisement illustration. Don’t Catch Weeds and Logs But Catch Fish Brush’s Patent Trolling Spoons entirely overcome the defects heretofore found in […]

Andrew Clerk Company

Andrew Clerk Company 1885

Andrew Clerk Company This Andrew Clerk Company ad comes out of book published in 1885. One of the benefits of insomnia is I get to stay up reading and get rewarded by running across great early ads such as below. Through mergers, acquisitions name changes, and more the Andrew Clerk Company was around for more […]

Skinner Turkey Wing Ad 1884

Skinner Turkey Wing Ad 1884

Skinner Turkey Wing Ad Since today’s motif is Turkey, I found  this apropos. This Skinner Turkey Wing Ad came from 1884. The Hibbard Spencer and Bartlett Company was a large seller of many items fishing tackle included. GM Skinner Clayton NY Silver Plated Oval and Kidney Pattern. These Baits are noted for superior workmanship and […]

WD Chapman Photo

WD Chapman Photo

WD Chapman Photo This WD Chapman Photo is truly a great piece of history. In speaking to a local historian in Theresa New York Jefferson County she said she had a photo of the antique lure maker and would make a copy of her copy and mail it to me. Little nuggets of history come […]

Hawks Ogilvy 1889 Fishing Tackle Catalog

Hawks Ogilvy 1889 Fishing Tackle Catalog

Hawks Ogilvy 1889 Fishing Tackle Catalog Here we have a Hawks Ogilvy 1889 Fishing Tackle Catalog cover. I had posted another early Henry Loftie Catalog cover and I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the others. I’ve always enjoyed being able to look back in time, to see the American Fishing Industries roots being […]

Antique Fishing Attire 1875

Antique Fishing Attire 1875

Antique Fishing Attire 1875 There have been may discussion over Antique Fishing attire in as much as the ability of the common layman to be able to afford to fish as a leisure or pleasure hobby. Simply put many people in early 19th Century America fished for food not for pleasure. In the span of […]

Hastings Frog Antique Lure

Hastings Frog Antique Lure

Hastings Frog Antique Lure The Hastings Frog Antique Lure was originally made by James T Hastings, of Chicago, Illinois. He patented his version of the fly eater, August 24th, 1895. However, this version of the antique frog lure was made by smiling Bill Jamison, also of Chicago, Illinois. Jamison acquired the rights to this patent somewhere […]

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby was Born and raised in Philips Maine in 1854. Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby was a writer, fly fisher, hunter, and outdoor enthusiast who worked for the Maine Central Railroad promoting the sporting life in Maine at the turn of the century. She held the first Maine Guide […]

Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant

Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant

Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant This great Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant article comes to us from November 10th, 1900. The article found in the trade rag, Hardware; A Review of the American Hardware Market. The article discusses the growth and transition through acquisition of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, Pflueger. Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing […]

Scorpaena Volitans

Scorpaena Volitans The Scorpaena Volitans whose name is an indication of its seductive & deadly beauty. I love old color plates, and this plate is almost 2 centuries ago, published in 1833. Plates exhibit a lost art and craft akin to some of the subjects of focus itself.  It’s habitat, the Coast of Ceylon, has […]

Acanthurus Vittatus

Acanthurus Vittatus

Acanthurus Vittatus The Acanthurus Vittatus a name nearly as eloquent as its striped & colored beauty. This plate is almost 2 centuries ago, published in 1833. Plates exhibit a lost art and craft akin to some of the subjects of focus itself. It’s habitat, the Coast of Ceylon, has been since renamed a more familiar, […]

Sparus Decussatus

Sparus Decussatus The Sparus Decussatus looks like it belongs off the movie Tron in it geometrical color-scape. I love old color plates, and this plate is almost 2 centuries ago, published in 1833. Plates exhibit a lost art and craft akin to some of the subjects of focus itself. It’s habitat, the Coast of Ceylon, […]

Byron Chapman Photo

Byron Chapman Photo

Byron Chapman Photo This Byron Chapman Photo has been recently identified by the Historical arm of the Town of Theresa NY, specifically the Theresa Free Library. From its originally finding decades ago, this picture or photo was misidentified as antique fishing lure maker WD Chapman and his muskie catch off Indian River, in upstate NY. […]

Chapman Fishing Lure Bazaar

Chapman Fishing Lure Bazaar

Chapman Fishing Lure Bazaar This Chapman Fishing Lure Bazaar photo is truly a gem. A bazaar is a interesting name to use and is one of those words that been usurped and replaced by more familiar references of the American marketplace. If you asked what a Bazaar is technically many would actually draw towards its […]

Chapman Lure Trading Cards

Chapman Lure Trading Cards

Chapman Lure Trading Cards Chapman Lure Trading Cards are some of my favorite things that go along with Antique Fishing Lures. I’ve got quite a collection of 19th Century Lure trading cards from other makers such as Henry Loftie, L&B Bait Company and John Mann. Back in the 1800’s companies used these as an early […]

Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives

Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives

Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives This Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives is part of a series of lithographs I’ve always enjoyed. Currier and Ives created over 7500 different titled lithographs. They were made between 1834 to 1907. Some of their fly fishing and fishing series even appearing on calendars. The annals of American […]

Holzwarth Expert Minnow Lure Ad 1901

Holzwarth Expert Minnow Lure 1901

Holzwarth Expert Minnow Lure This Holzwarth Expert Minnow Lure Ad dates to 1901 and was found in a Wisconsin Naturalist Magazine. Really a strange place to advertise the ad for his Expert Minnow lure so far away from Ohio. I say this as there is not much information out there about Holzwarth in general and […]

Reuben Wood Forrest Stream

Reuben Wood Forrest Stream

Reuben Wood Forrest Stream In this Reuben Wood Forrest Stream article from 1896 Vol. 47 we see an account from Mr Fred Mather about fishing with Reuben Wood. One of my favorite pieces that Ill share from later is a 1897 catalog from his fishing tackle company, its a bit worse for wear on the […]

Pflueger Muskellunge Minnow Ad 1904

Pflueger Muskellunge Minnow Ad 1904

Pflueger Muskellunge Minnow Ad This Pflueger Muskellunge Minnow Ad is brought to you from 1904. The Ad itself is out of the 1904 Pflueger or Enterprise manufacturing Company from Akron Ohio. I’ve always loved this giant lure and had wished I had kept my example of this giant rubber minnow. The ad is a really […]

W D Chapman Lure Article Closure 1893

W D Chapman Lure Article Closure 1893

W D Chapman Lure Article Closure 1893 In this W D Chapman Lure Article Closure 1893 we see WD Chapman Lure Company say adieu to the fishing tackle industry in a Jewelers trade rag in 1893. Sorry for the blurry article. A lot of the older magazines and paper articles don’t scan well. Fishing Tackle […]

Pflueger Trory Minnow Lure Ad

Pflueger Trory Minnow Lure

Pflueger Trory Minnow Lure Ad This Pflueger Trory Minnow Lure Ad comes to us from a 1904 catalog. The Pflueger Enterprise Manufacturing Company Claims to have created the first artificial minnow production with its Crystal Minnow then on to the Flying Helgramite then to the Trory. Its hard to argue with them. The Trory minnow […]

Pflueger Luminous Lure Ad 1885

Pflueger Luminous Ad

Pflueger Luminous Lure Ad 1885 This Pflueger Luminous Lure Ad came out in 1885. This makes it 131 years old and a treat to still be able to see. Finding advertising that is this old is certainly a high point for those out there like myself that love old paper that has to do with […]

Spalding Pneumatic Sporting Boat

A.G. Spalding Pneumatic Sporting Boat

Spalding Pneumatic Sporting Boat This A.G. Spalding Pneumatic Sporting Boat is a classic example of a early float tube. I’ve always really enjoyed the old ads and find many of them amusing when your pursuing through an old catalog and you stumble upon certain one that make you wonder what the artist print block maker […]

Skinner Gananoque Antique Lure Story

Skinner Gananoque Antique Lure Story

Skinner Gananoque Antique Lure Story This Skinner Gananoque Antique Lure Story is borrowed from; A souvenir of the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence River. by John Haddock, and was written in 1895. We see another famed antique lure maker referenced, WD Chapman of Theresa NY. The old articles are great to be able to associate the […]

Antique Fishing Photo Sam Wallace CDV

Antique Fishing Photo

Antique Fishing Photo Sam Wallace CDV This a great Antique Fishing Photo Sam Wallace CDV. CDV or Carte De Viste is a photography format or medium like we a few have discussed before with Samuel Tisdale the Black bass Man. The Carte De Viste CDV was invented and patented by France by photographer André Adolphe […]