Pflueger May Bug Lure The Pflueger May Bug Lure was introduced in the late 1880’s. The May Bug is one of the early quintessential Pflueger, or Enterprise Manufacturing Company Lure made in Akron Ohio. The lure was produced for around 3 decades or thirty years until 1916. The May Bug was made to be fished […]
Category Archives: 19th Century Fishing Lures
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fishing For History, Voices from the Past
Voices from the Past James Grant
Voices from the Past James Grant There is nothing more delightful than coming across a reference to a fishing tackle maker in an unexpected place. In my “other job” as a history professor I try to keep up on recent research. A fairly recent book I picked up called Gwen Raverat: Friends, Family and Affections […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Fishing For History
Yankee Doodle: The American Humorist’s Take on Victorian Angling
Yankee Doodle: The American Humorist’s Take on Victorian Angling When I was working on my dissertation (which dealt with the überexciting subject of British travel writing in the Balkans), I would consistently be distracted by the British humor journal Punch. Punch was a legendary satirical political journal that took swipes at all aspects of British […]
JD Allen Antique Lure Fish Spoon This JD Allen Antique Lure Fish Spoon is kind of a 19th Century fishing lure head scratcher for me. These spoons are marked JD Allen, South Otselic, NY and a size number 4. One of the main mysteries Ive never been able to resolve is, in Arlan’s book, JD Allen […]
Paragon Minnow Lure From across the pond harkens this glass eyed beauty, a very desirable and tough to find Allcocks, Paragon Minnow lure. The Paragon was first introduced in the 1890’s and made through the Teens. This metal minnow is 3″ in length with a red yarn covered single trailing treble. The lure has “Tiffany” […]
William Delany Fishing Lure Like many in their day William Delany Fishing Lure maker began his trade as a Jeweler in the 1800’s. Many in the Delany line of Cobourg, Onatario made their livelihood in similar fields. While many know that William and William Jr were involved in Jewelry and Fishing lures, William Sr’s brother […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures
Syracuse Split Bamboo Fish Rod Company
Syracuse Split Bamboo Fish Rod Company This Syracuse Split Bamboo Fish Rod Company, Henry Loftie catalog is a great early pre 1900’s Catalog. Circa 1889, this cover has made it over a century protected for it to be enjoyed by collectors and American Fishing Historians a century later. I’ve always been fond of Antique Paper […]
Pflueger St Clair Double Spoon Lure The Pflueger St Clair Double Spoon Lure is truly a beauty. This antique fancy metal Pflueger, Enterprise Manufacturing Company fishing lure was made in Akron, Ohio. The Saint Clair was a model 691 and was the Non Luminous Tandem Spoon, its counter-part the St. Lawrence, model 690, was the […]
Joliet Spinner Lure The Joliet Spinner Lure was introduced around 1902.The Joliet Spinner would end up being made by both G. Bruton of Joliet, Illinois and later by New Jersey Aluminum Co. This metal spiral antique fishing lure is a simple twisting piece of metal that was offered in multiple sizes and had the patent […]
Pflueger Governor Lure The Pflueger Governor Lure was first introduced around 1892. This antique fishing lure was made by the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, of Akron Ohio. This fancy Pflueger Metal Spoon and minnow was given a series 792. The “Governor” was the Luminous version to its non luminous counterpart, “The Admiral”. These lures were offered in […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday Mount Everest
Tight Lines Tuesday Mount Everest Tight Lines Tuesday Mount Everest by John Etchieson – In the early 1920s (1921 – 1924) several expeditions were undertaken by different parties of men to ascend to the top of Mount Everest, the worlds tallest mountain at 29,035 feet above sea level which is located midway between Tibet and […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Fly Fishing, Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Joe Pepper Big Four Lure Card
Joe Pepper Big Four Lure Card Here is a great Joe Pepper Big Four Lure Card assortment. These rare cards are seldom seen especially in this new old stock condition. The item dates to the turn of the century or a few years after. The lures and flies are carefully tied on the reverse of […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Harpers Weekly April 1872
Harpers Weekly April 1872 In this edition of Harpers Weekly April 1872 we get a glimpse in to some of the lifes work for a man who’s name and work are embedded in fish-lore, fly fishing and sporting. Mr Seth Green in no an uncommon name to read when doing any type of research into […]
Charles Hibbard Antique Lure Heart Shaped Spoon This is an early Charles Hibbard Antique Lure. Charles A Hibbard of Grand Rapids Michigan was one of the pre 1900’s antique lure makers. This heart shaped spinner or spoon bears the stamp Hibbard, Pat March 25, 84. Hibbard became part of the L.S. Hill Company in 1879 […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
JB McHarg Civil War Token
JB McHarg Civil War Token This great example of a JB McHarg Civil War Token is a prime example of what drives me to collect. Looking off the beaten path for neat items to compliment both my or other lure collections is something I’ve always enjoyed. This drive or niche, or thinking outside the proverbial lure box […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Orvis Fly Fishing Catalog
Orvis Fly Fishing Catalog This Orvis Fly Fishing Catalog is a piscatorial visual treasure. I’ve always had a passion for the covers on 19th Century Fishing Tackle Companies, and this early early 1883 Orvis catalog does not disappoint. There are many fisherman through there lives make their way up to the Green Mountains of Vermont […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing Cabinet Card
Fly Fishing Cabinet Card Here is a great early 19th Century Fly Fishing Cabinet Card. The astute gentleman posing with his large green heart rod and what looks to be a larger Salmon type reel. Leaning upon the rock as well is a early landing gaff, single tine. Im not sure what I envy more […]
Comstock Flying Helgramite Lure The Comstock Flying Helgramite Lure was made by Harry Comstock, Fulton, New York. Circa 1883. This is considered one of if not the first glass eyed antique fishing lures produced. The inventor Harry Comstock was not only a lure maker but at the time a noted gun enthusiast, salesman, inventor and […]
Chautauqua Trolling Minnow The Chautauqua Trolling Minnow although looking the part is not a pre 1900’s lure. Ive grouped it in there, as if to suggest while in truth it was made in 1909, if fits better with it the Pre 1900 friends made by Chapman, Buel, Mann Loftie and the slew of others. This […]
Joseph Meatyard Pocket Watch From John Mann This piece a Joseph Meatyard Pocket Watch From John Mann has always been one of my favorite things in my antique lure collection. Yes, Yes I know its not a lure, but it is to me an equal to most every lure in my collection. Ive always been […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Sam the Black Bass Man Part I Sunday Sounds
Sam Sam the Black Bass Man Part I In introducing Sam the Black Bass Man, I must digress back a bit, and say thanks for all the views , likes comments, emails and texts I’ve received. The last 12 Months with Fin and Flame has been fun. I have even bigger expectations and plans for […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog
Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog This Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog is from 1893. Its one of my favorite antique fishing lure and reel catalogs. The company playing a major role in the outdoor sporting fields both hunting, fishing, and fly fishing for many decades. Acting as a major jobber and distributor of fishing tackle […]
John Mann Tandem Improved Trolling Spoon The John Mann Tandem Improved Trolling Spoon is an early Pre 1900’s or 19th Century fishing Lure. The John H Mann Company of Syracuse NY is one of the most successful grocery, sundries, dry good and fishing tackle store central New York would ever have. Most don’t know Mr. […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Izaak Walton Colored Print
Izaak Walton Colored Print This Izaak Walton Colored Print is one of my favorites. I posted the other week a Currier and Ives Colored Trout photo and got good reception, so I thought another piece of art was apropos. This dates to the mid 1800’s and was published by Dean and Company. There are as […]
Harlow Casting Spoon Lure The Harlow Casting Spoon Lure was patented in 1888. This Pre 1900’s fishing lure was made by John H Harlow, of auburn New York. The patent was for the use of the retractable hook and spoon. There isn’t very much info out there about Harlow.There are lures out there stamped with […]
John Mann Trolling Spoons This John Mann Trolling Spoons Ad dates to 1883. American Angler magazine gives us some great ads and stories. Im pretty partial to John Mann as I’ve collected his lures and miscellaneous items like tea tins from his general store, personal artifacts, and business items such as trade cards for over […]
Pflueger Fish Scaler This Pflueger Fish Scaler ad comes from 1892. The Chicago Journal of Commerce printed or show cased this new to market Pflueger Enterprise Manufacturing Company item. Many people think Pflueger’s reach ended at lures and reels, however Pflueger was trying to create a end to end fishing tackle company that could provide […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Buel Arrowhead Spinner Antique Lure
Buel Arrowhead Spinner Antique Lure The Buel Arrowhead Spinner Antique Lure was originally shown in the 1852 patent. There were a few changes over time to the shape and make of the lure. In 1893 Buel re brands his arrowhead with a convenience feature. This antique lure has a deeper notch between the bottom arrows […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Woods Lollacapop
Woods Lollacapop This tin of Woods Lollacapop is one of those things people can find to ad depth or character to their antique lure collection. Those that know me well know that I love a good story, and a ancillary item such as this as much as I love the antique fishing lures themselves. This […]
Pflueger Pine Cone Scale Spinner Lure The Pflueger Pine Cone Scale Spinner lure can date all the way back to the late 1800’s. One of the keys to Pflueger’s success (no pun intended) in the fishing lure arena has always been tied to its sale of metal spoons. A concept which was due to being […]
Abbey Imbrie Ghost Lure The Abbey Imbrie Ghost Lure comes from one of the larger jobbers in American fishing history was Abbey and Imbrie. Although its roots are decades deeper the company itself was founded in 1875 via merger, Abbey and Imbrie’s reach into the various facets of the fishing tackle history would run long […]
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