I ran across this great history of the O’Shaugnessy fish hook in Limerick; Its History and Antiquities by Maurice Lenihan (Dublin, 1866). He notes that the once great reputation of Limerick hooks had all but died by the 1860s, with only one master hook maker left. It’s a fabulous history and I’ve not seen this […]
Category Archives: Voices from the Past
The following excerpt is from the article “Fly-Fishing” published in the American Turf Register for June 1838. It argues the best fly rods are those made with a “scare” joint — a scarf joint in today’s lexicon. There are some who still subscribe to this theory, and a few makers, like Bob Clay, are manufacturing […]
The following blurb came from the Indiana School Journal for December 1877. It was written by Charles Wackford of Shawnee Prairie, Indiana, and retells a very charming Christmas tradition mixed with fishing. I love it. We reached home at ten o’clock, receiving an invitation on the way to eat Christmas dinner with the Graham family. […]
The following story by F.L. Harding from Outing Magazine (August 1908) is a charming story about a fishing contest and a special lure. I enjoyed it very much, and wish now to have a Bilkin’s Electric Frog of my very own. Bilkin’s Electric Frog by F.L. Harding ENTERPRISE was the slogan of the Parmacheenee Piscatorial […]
The following note was sent to the editor of the Sporting Goods Dealer and published in June 1906, and illustrates the fact that the sheer number of named fly patterns a century ago had already reached into the thousands. Note that Charles Kewell, a reputable sporting goods dealer and inventor of a casting spoon that […]
It’s 1897. Imagine yourself having worked a long week in an office in Boston, penning correspondence, reading over the latest telegrams from branch offices, and overseeing the work of the dozen or so employees you’re responsible for. You’ve likely put in a solid 50 hours this week, which is the norm — you often work […]
The following article appeared in the trade journal The Printer’s Ink for October 1921. It covers in enormous detail the customer service department for South Bend Bait Co. of South Bend, Indiana. If you ever wondered why the firm grew so large so quickly, look no further than the manner in which they tailored letters […]
Antique Reels, Fishing For History, Voices from the Past
Voices from the Past The History of the Nottingham Wooden Winch
The following article came from the London Fishing Gazette, 07 September 1895. It details the background history of the famed Nottingham Wooden Winch. History of the Nottingham Wooden Winch Anglers throughout the country are by this time familiar with the qualities of the Nottingham wooden winch, and a few facts in connection with its invention […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fishing For History, Fly Fishing, Voices from the Past
Voices from the Past: A Tour of Abbey & Imbrie’s Fly Factory
A Tour of Abbey & Imbrie’s Fly Factory A Tour of Abbey & Imbrie’s Fly Factory; The following description was published in the June 12, 1897 issue of Forest & Stream magazine, and describes as well as anything to date a trip through a fly tying factory in Brooklyn. The fly tying factory was that […]
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 […]