Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog 1893 This Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog from 1893 is one of my all time favorite catalogs, as well as favorite covers. Ive always been seduced by the 19th century fishing tackle makers. My favorite period of time being between the civil war and the turn of the 19th century. […]
Category Archives: Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Friends & Clubs, NFLCC
NFLCC Membership Giveaway
NFLCC Membership Giveaway Thought you opened your last gift for the year? Well here is a chance for one more. Everyone loves Free stuff so here is a free NFLCC club membership! A great gift if your not a current member, or if your a current member help a friend who is not. Simple Rules. […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing, Friends & Clubs, NFLCC
3rd Annual National Lure Collectors Club Gettysburg Show
3rd Annual National Lure Collectors Club Gettysburg Show Only 30 Days left Until the 3rd Annual National Lure Collectors Club Gettysburg Show. If you hadn’t made plans, do so now! January 25-27 2018, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania The 3nd annual NFLCC Region II Gettysburg Winter Rendezvous will take place January 25-27th, 2018 at the Comfort Suites Gettysburg, […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing, Friends & Clubs, NFLCC
Louis Rhead Anglers Christmas
Louis Rhead Anglers Christmas 1917 I saw this Louis Rhead Anglers Christmas scene from 1917 come across my feed this morning and just had to share.
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing, Friends & Clubs, NFLCC
NFLCC 2018 Club Magazine Winter Issue
NFLCC 2018 Club Magazine Winter Issue With the forthcoming NFLCC 2018 Club Magazine Winter Issue and holiday I thought it appropriate; Twas the Night Before the Winter Issue Twas the Night Before the Winter Issue, And All through the House, In This the winter issue Dorr, Martin & Hecht Show us some splendid Creek Chub […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing, Friends & Clubs
2018 ORCA Club Patch
2018 ORCA Club Patch The 2018 ORCA Club Patch is now available just in time for Christmas and while your there make sure to add a years membership to your cart as well! To Purchase please follow the link! 2018 ORCA Club Patch
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing, Friends & Clubs, NFLCC
NFLCC Gazette Winter 2017
NFLCC Gazette Winter 2017 Its time for NFLCC Gazette Winter 2017 that Santa brings us antique lure collectors. Sticking with the Holiday’s the cover, the front covered is a festive presentation. Gary Smith wrapped up 35 pages of historical articles for our pleasure and education from various club members and authors. President Stuart Strange kicks […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
ORCA November 2017 REEL NEWS
ORCA November 2017 REEL NEWS The ORCA November 2017 REEL NEWS has been published and has something for everyone! This edition’s front cover features an amazing Bradley reel bearing a historic inscription. The Reel News has a fascinating story to go with, entitled “Never say Never”. ORCA President David Lehmann recognizes the extraordinary efforts of […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday Kingfisher Lines
Tight Lines Tuesday Kingfisher Lines by John Etchieson – Kingfisher Lines – 98 years ago this month in December 1919 the Horton Mfg. Company of Bristol Connecticut (est. 1887) purchased the factory, equipment, patents and trade marks of the E. J. Martin’s Sons firm, makers of the “Kingfisher” brand braided silk fish lines of Rockville, […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Tight Lines Tuesday Rare Tsatlees Silk
Tight Lines Tuesday Rare Tsatlees Silk by John Etchieson As a longtime collector, researcher, and an author on the history of America’s fishing lines I have seen many wonderful examples of the packaging and graphics used to sell fishing lines one hundred or more years ago. One such recent discovery I made was this Abbey […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday President Grover Cleveland
Tight Lines Tuesday President Grover Cleveland by John Etchieson 90+ years ago in 1925 the Newton Line Company of Homer New York honored American President Grover Cleveland (1837 -1908) an avid fisherman noted for using tarred Cuttyhunk lines for the striped bass at Buzzards Bay in Bourne, Massachusetts where he owned the Gray Gables estate […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday the Puritan
Tight Lines Tuesday the Puritan by John Etchieson Sometime in the fall of 1621, the Puritans invited their Indian friends to join them in a three-day festival which we now call the first Thanksgiving. As an avid collector of all kinds of antique fishing tackle items, I just had to show off this 93 year […]
Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing, Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Wright McGill Eagle Claw History
Wright McGill Eagle Claw History This Wright McGill Eagle Claw History tale was taken from an excerpt from the Company in 1974. Stories like these breath life into the companies that we as collectors seek out. Being able to bring the different pieces of the puzzle to the table and recreate history with lore. Wright […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday The Swastika
Tight Lines Tuesday The Swastika by John Etchieson Tight Lines Tuesday The Swastika; The Swastika was not always an evil symbol – 100+ years ago in 1914 this very rare “Speckled Beauty” fly fishing line featuring the lithographic image of a leaping Brown Trout was introduced and sold by the Ashaway Line and Twine Company […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday Pawtucket Braided Line Company
Tight Lines Tuesday by John Etchieson Pawtucket Braided Line Company The Pawtucket Braided Line Company established in 1882 in Pawtucket Rhode Island by Alphonso G. Hazard, this firm produced cotton, linen and silk fish lines as well as shoe laces until about 1928 when the firm was sold to Horrocks Ibbotson of Utica New York. […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday the Black Witch
Tight Lines Tuesday the Black Witch by John Etchieson For Halloween today the BLACK WITCH brand fishing line would be the Ideal one to use. Made in the late 1930s by the Newton Line Company of Homer, New York, this black colored supreme silk casting line had a label featuring an image of a black […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday Shakespeare’s Indian Silk Lines
Tight Lines Tuesday Shakespeare’s Indian Silk Lines by John Etchieson 108 years ago in 1909 the William Shakespeare Jr. Tackle Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan adopted a new trade mark for its “Indian Silk Lines” using the profile of an Indian in a full feathered headdress. Many fishing tackle collectors today are familiar with the image […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday Kresge Special
Tight Lines Tuesday Kresge Special by John Etchieson Tight Lines Tuesday Kresge Special, “Attention Kmart shoppers!” long before you had ever heard of our “blue light specials” we had specials … We were called Kresge in those days, after the name of our founder S. S. Kresge who started our Kmart company in 1899. And, […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday Ace Hardware by Shakespeare
Tight Lines Tuesday Ace Hardware by Shakespeare by John Etchieson Here is a rare 80 year old ACE STORES “QUALITY” brand Japan silk casting line from 1937 that was manufactured by the Shakespeare Tackle Company. In 1924, to increase buying power and profits, entrepreneurs Richard Hesse, E. Gunnard Lindquist, Frank Burke and Oscar Fisher united […]
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 […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Tight Lines Tuesday Colored Spools
Tight Lines Tuesday Colored Spools by John Etchieson – Tight Lines Tuesday Colored Spools; All fishing lines, with very few exceptions, had been packaged on solid black color enamel painted wooden spools since 1880. However, 85 years ago at the depths of America’s great depression in 1932, many fishing line spools took on some bright colors […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Shakespeare Lures
Tight Lines Tuesday Shakespeare Cadillac
Tight Lines Tuesday Shakespeare Cadillac by John Etchieson 87 years ago in 1930 the Shakespeare Tackle Company introduced a very high quality enameled “Super Silk” fly line for trout fishing that they called the CADILLAC brand. This new fly line came packaged inside of an orange cardboard box with a checkerboard racing stripe that ran […]
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 […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Louis Rhead Obituary
Louis Rhead Obituary This Louis Rhead Obituary was printed by the same newspaper the Rhead had penned and contributed for decades earlier. His range was from fly Fishing the Gentleman’s Trout to landing the Gamy Black Bass and wrestling the Muskie from the deep. Rhead was born in England in 1857 and would pass in […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Louis Rhead Putting Worms on a Hook
Louis Rhead Putting Worms on a Hook This Louis Rhead Putting Worms on a Hook Illustration invokes in many a special feeling or time. A time when we ourselves were children or when we passed on to another the love of angling. Through the decades Mr. Rhead through works illustrated not only a passion and love for […]
Brook Trout Baptism Here in the Brook Trout Baptism, out of the book Speckled Brook Trout with Illustrations by famed artist and fisherman Louis Rhead. The book was printed in 1902 and is filled with some great illustrations and even writings by lure maker, fisherman and outdoor enthusiast W.C Harris. Baptism of the Brook Trout […]
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 […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Heddon Lures
Heddon Lure Memorial Day Ad
Heddon Lure Memorial Day Ad This great Heddon Lure Memorial Day Ad falls in line with our thoughts and thanks. For those that made the ultimate sacrifice we thank you. And thank you Mr. Bill Sonnet for finding this and allowing me to share it with my readers. A Boy Fished and Went to War……A […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Mercury Minnow Lure
Mercury Minnow Lure This Mercury Minnow Lure Sales Sheet discusses the feature functions and benefits of the Mercury Minnow antique lure. The Mecoy Tackle Company of Grosse Point Michigan introduced this fishing lure in 1949. The Mercury minnow is just that it’s namesake coming from the ball of Mercury that rolls around inside the lure […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Friends & Clubs
Tao & The Art of Backyard Living Pt1
I get asked a lot, ” What does the Flame stand for, in Fin and Flame?”. There is only one Hobby outside of family, that encompasses my time as much as Fishing Lures and its History, and that is cooking, grilling & smoking call it what you may. While the aforementioned titles or type sets […]
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 […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Friends & Clubs
Antique Lure Logo
Antique Lure Logo Check out our new Antique Lure Logo! A fellow collectors wife took many hours of her own time to help me become official by now having my own logo. She did a great job and went above and beyond and wanted to thank her publicly! Thanks Sharon! Will start work on a […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Hoptacong Perch Minnow Antique Lure
Hoptacong Perch Minnow Antique Lure The Hoptacong Perch Minnow Antique Lure date to around 1905. The lure distributed and made by the William Mills and Sons Company of New York, New York. While advertised to be a combined 6 inches in length, the lure itself was 3 inches in length. Mounted to the shaft were a […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Friends & Clubs
Sunday Sounds April Edition
Sunday Sounds April Edition On a rainy Sunday morning strolling through FB and Ebay with a cup of coffee in hand I came across a post of a Frog Spot Jamison Coaxer lure for sale, and if there is one thing that goes with Jamison in my head, its my buddy Joe. These were owned […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Miscellaneous Lure Makers
Paul Bunyan Lure Counter Display
Paul Bunyan Lure Counter Display This is a neat Paul Bunyan Lure Counter Display unit. This counter merchandising display dates to the 1940’s or early 1950’s. I also was pleasantly surprised to see they made and sold a combo whistle, I had no idea they ever sold these. If anyone owns one of these tore […]
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 […]
J.A Coxe Reel Oil Bottle This great J.A Coxe Reel Oil bottle shows us that yes there are other things we can collect besides just the lures, reel and rods themselves. This hard to find oil bottle is part of a segment of collecting, Reel Oil Bottles, Rod Varnish Bottles, even Fly Dope or Mosquito […]
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 […]
Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Shakespeare Lures
Shakespeare Bait Company Service Ring
Shakespeare Bait Company Service Ring This Shakespeare Bait Company Service Ring is a great example of one of those add on pieces we can all add to our collection. The fringe pieces that say have no reel (bad Pun) place on any shelf but can add depth and novelty to your antique lure or reel […]
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 […]
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 […]
Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), South Bend Lures
South Bend Counter Display Marlin
South Bend Counter Display This South Bend Counter display piece is one of the other miscellaneous pieces we a antique lures collectors covet. As if our lures rooms weren’t covered head to toe with lures reels, catalogs, oilers, fish plaques, mounts, nets, creels, line dryers, minnow buckets, minnow traps, tackle boxes…… Are you starting to […]
Mepps Spear Gun This Mepps Spear Gun was one of my favorite consignments. I’ve had a few crazy ones over the years, from a truck sitting in a field for 70 years to someone accidentally packing a half eatin sandwich they were enjoying instead of the antique fishing lure they had in their hand when they […]