Chapman Best Bass Flies This Chapman Best Bass Flies was published April 7th 1889. Get Your Fishing Tackle and Sporting Goods At Headquarters! W.D. Chapman, Son & Co,. 121 State St. Manufacture Of and Dealer Of All Kinds Of Fishing Tackle, Base Ball Goods, Powder, Shot and Ammunition 150 Kinds of Bait! 300 different Styles […]
Category Archives: Antique Lures
Val Lure Val Products Chicago This Val Lure Val Products Chicago made lure is a uniquely made fishing lure. The lure was made by Val Products out of Chicago Illinois, in the early to mid 1930’s. It didn’t last too long and was gone from production a decade later. The lure itself is a jointed […]
Chapman Fishing Hooks Chapman Fishing Hooks was published May 4th, 1889. From Size 7-0 in either treble or double hooks you could get just about anything from Chapmans Rochester store in the late 1800’s. This also give us a good look at the Chapman swivel having 4 sizes and then on down to the standard […]
Wilson Bassmerizer Lure The Wilson Bassmerizer Lure was first introduced in 1917. Wilson or the Hastings Sporting Goods Company out of Hastings, Michigan had been in business for a half dozen years by this point and had produced a handful of lures. The Bassmerizer is a no eyed, wooden lure, with a diving plane at […]
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 Lures, Fly Fishing, Fly Rod Lures, Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Tropical Bait Stormy Petrel Lure
Tropical Bait Stormy Petrel Lure The Tropical Bait Stormy Petrel Lure has always been a favorite with collectors. Ned Danforth of Indianapolis, Indiana was the Owner and inventor of the Stormy Petrel. Ned began making his now famous fishing lures as early as 1935. The Stormy Petrel as it is referred to some as the […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
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 […]
Nichols Jumbo Killer Lure The Nichols Jumbo Killer Lure was first introduced in the early 1940’s. The Jumbo Killer, made by the Nichols Bait Company of Corpus Christi Texas, later to be known by PICO. This lure bears a striking resemblance to most of the top water type lures of the day, the Heddon Lucky […]
Creek Chub Faust Special Lure The Creek Chub Faust Special Lure looks like the cross between a Plunker lure and a Creek Chub Skipper. Dating from the 1940’s to the 1950’s this special order Creek Chub Bait made its appearance. While being made in Garrett Indiana, its written that its destination was not a sporting […]
Pflueger Antique Lure Sign Ad This Pflueger Antique Lure Sign Ad window sign was published in a 1905 Vol. 23 of “The Hardware Magazine”. The ad specifies how dealers in Pflueger’s Fishing Tackle can get one. I will take a dozen please. Finding Point of Sale or store displays for the Antique Lures, Reels and […]
Rainbow Wiggler Lure The Rainbow Wiggler Lure was first introduced in 1949. This antique fishing lure was made by the V.O. Prichard Company out of Springfield, Missouri. This is a plastic lure which measures 2 3/4″ in length. The lure was made of two separate plastic or lucite halves fashioned together with a color section […]
Creek Chub Fly Fishing Lure Pikie The Creek Chub Fly Fishing Lure Pikie was fist introduced in 1924, born in Garrett Indiana. This now almost 100 year old fly rod sized version of the classic Pikie minnow fishing lure, came in both a bass and a trout size as so many of the Creek Chub […]
Creek Chub Baby Wiggle Fish Lure The Creek Chub Baby Wiggle Fish Lure was first introduced in 1925. This antique lure made by Creek Chub of Garrett Indiana was a model series number 2500. This wooden antique fishing lure measures 2 1/2″ in length and is a multi segmented lure weighing only a half ounce. This […]
Heddon Darting Zara The Heddon Darting Zara lure dates back to 1933 if not a little earlier. This straight bodied fishing lure was Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan’s series model number 6600. The wooden, glass eyed lure measure 3 3/8″ inches in length, and had 3 trailing treble hooks. The Frog Spot Zara’s three trebles are secured […]
Paw Paw Musky Pike Lure The Paw Paw Musky Pike Lure from the 1940’s is a lure who history is riddle with confusion, misconceptions, false identification and even patent infringements. This lure had me pulling out my hair for a while trying to figure out what it was. Its body style said Pike, its marked […]
Martin Hotter N Ell Lure The Martin Hotter N Ell Lure falls into its own type category. More in the Hook & Harness and Spring Loaded category. The 1951 lure catalog features two pages on the “Hotter’n’ell”. One of the things I enjoy most about doing Fin and Flame is featuring some of these neat, […]
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 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 Pippin Wobbler Lure The Pflueger Pippin Wobbler Lure was first introduced in 1929. This lure made by Pflueger or Akron, Ohio was given a model series number 6700. The lure was in the Pflueger antique lure line up for roughly a dozen years and was last seen around 1942 in this the largest version. […]
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 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 […]
ORCA Old Reel Collectors Association The ORCA Old Reel Collectors Association is a wonderful group of guys and gals focused on and promoting the History of Sport Fishing Reels. If your not a member, you should be. For the membership fees you are given access to more information, history and research capabilities then one could […]
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 […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Pflueger Lures
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 […]
Shakespeare 43 Underwater Minnow Lure The Shakespeare 43 Underwater Minnow Lure is one of my favorite Shakespeare antique lures. This lure is very similar to the Heddon 175 Heavy Casting Minnow lure. The lure is a 3T or 3 Hook underwater minnow made of wood with glass eyes to props both fore and aft. This […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), NFLCC
Charles Orvis Logo
Charles Orvis Logo The Charles Orvis Logo is something every NFLCC member should familiar with. I’ve always enjoyed the headings on the gazettes and the clubs logo, and thought I would share where the idea and design was taken from.And truth be told I actually am in the process of incorporating these frogs and the T.H […]
Nifty Minne Lure Minnow Tube The Nifty Minne lure, Circa 1913 falls into the minnow tube lure category. I’ve always spelled the name of this antique lure wrong for years Ill admit it. Minnow lure constraint devices vary from tubes to cages to hooks and pins to hold in place the pray to provide the […]
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 […]
South Bend Lunge Oreno Lure The South Bend Lunge Oreno Lure was first introduced in 1932. Produced at 1108 South High Street, South Bend Indiana this antique fishing lure was given a model series 966. The lure was touted by Ivar Hennings the president of the South Bend Bait Company as being the best Muskie […]
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 […]
Shakespeare Kingfish Wobbler Lure The Shakespeare Kingfish Wobbler Lure is a series model number 6535. The antique fishing lure is Circa late 1930s to 1940 for a time frame. The Kingfish Wobbler minnow is 5″ in length made of wood and has pressed painted eyes. The lure has a distinctive keel underneath and is a […]
WD Chapman Son’s Suicide WD Chapman Son’s Suicide is a parent worst nightmare, a spouses life sentence full of questions, and a child’s life long search for answers. Telling the stories of antique fishing lure makers isn’t all about fishing, or all about the hunt for the piscatorial treasures, its about breathing life into the […]
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 […]
Heddon River Runtie Spook Lure The Heddon River Runtie Spook Lure was first introduced in 1937 and was assigned a model 950. This second coming of this Heddon from Dowagiac Michigan fly lure was like many of the other period lures made from plastic. Although first introduced in a wood variation it wouldnt take Heddon […]
Paw Paw Hungry Bass Lure The Paw Paw Hungry Bass Lure was produced roughly around the 1940’s. This lure is listed as a Unknown in the Paw Paw Bait Company Book written both Reed and Scott. They deem it the Hungry Bass so Ill follow their lead. This antique lure made of wood measures 3″ […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Miscellaneous Lure Makers
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 […]
Jamison Winged Mascot Lure No. 2 Jamison Winged Mascot Lure No 2; Today I lost one of my best friends who I traveled across country to lure shows for years with. For two decades Joe and I were friends and my list of memories just as long. So many times, at the end of the […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Chapman Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
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 […]
Jamison Humdinger Lure The Jamison Humdinger Lure was first introduced in 1916. This wooden no eyed fishing lure was made by William J Jamison Company out of Chicago Illinois, know affectionately as “Smilling Bill”. This antique fishing lure measures 3 1/8″ inches in length and is really a larger version of the struggling mouse which […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures
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 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 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 […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Barracuda Brand Antique Lure Line Up
Barracuda Brand Antique Lure Line Up This Barracuda Brand Antique Lure Line Up sheet was part of a catalog sent out to tackle dealers in the 1950’s. The sheet focuses on 12 of its current fishing lure line up and explains to dealers the features, functions, and benefits and packaging of each antique lure. I […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Bomber Bait Company Press Release
Bomber Bait Company Press Release This Bomber Bait Company Press Release and accompanying letter from one of the founders is a neat breadcrumb that I came across in sizable pile of research docs, catalogs, and salesman brochures I had amassed over time. It was hidden behind some papers I had looked at many many times […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Buckeye Bait Mad Minno Lure Color Guide
Buckeye Bait Mad Minno Lure Color Guide This Buckeye Bait Mad Minno Lure Color Guide give us a an example by color Salesman or Dealer Sheet. Fining out what colors certain lures come in not only help us collectors by giving us a color guide to go by, but can help when trying to find […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Pico Lure Sales Sheet
Pico Lure Sales Sheet This Pico Lure Sales Sheet dates to the January of 1952. The antique lure sales sheet contains a half dozen different lures in the assorted colors they were available in. Of historical note, you will see the PO Box address change, from 1194 to 5366 for those who may be tracing and […]
Bud Stewart Snake The Bud Stewart Snake is truly a piece of art beyond the obvious category of being a antique fishing lure. The snake and the frog have always been two of my favorite Bud creations that were outside the normal spotted fish decoy world. The hand carved wooden body of the snake measures […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Smithwick Lure Early Sales Sheet
Smithwick Lure Early Sales Sheet Here is a great Smithwick Lure Early Sales Sheet that I found among some other early Miscellaneous fishing lure dealer sheets. By Looking at the classic baits we know its early, unfortunately, there is no date stamped on this one like some of the others. I would bet this would […]
Rhodes Mechanical Frog The Rhodes Mechanical Frog lure in the correct wooden box combines 2 different things that antique lure collectors get excited about. First off, a wood box lure, who doesn’t like just the sound of that. This antique lure box shows the printed images clearly, and shows the patent date of October 31, […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Clark Popper Scout Darter Lure Chart
Clark Popper Scout Darter Lure Chart This Clark Popper Scout Darter Lure Chart coinsides with the Water Scout, Little Eddie and Streamline posted yesterday. Giving us another look at a few lure models. Clark’s Popper Scout Clark’s Darter Scout Whichever series of Clark’s lures you choose, they are yours for better fishing. They are designed […]