Tight Lines Tuesday The Mermaid Brand by John Etchieson The Mermaid Brand braided silk fishing lines, introduced about 100 years ago, were manufactured by the Newton Line Company of Homer New York (est. 1909) who advertised these high grade silk casting lines with the simple marketing slogan – “Mermaid bought – big ones caught” This […]
Tag Archives: fishing
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing, The Friday Fun House
Friday Fun House February 8th Edition
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Good Reads ABOUT THE BOOK Back after constant demand, and fully revised and expanded! It’s Don Wheeler’s Frog Lure Collector’s Guide, and it has been expanded by a full 30% (now coming in at a loaded 352 pages. It’s the largest color book we’ve ever done, or will ever likely […]
Heddon Jointed Vamp Antique Lure The Heddon Jointed Vamp Antique Lure was first introduced in 1927 by Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan. Expanding upon the success of its straight uni-body predecessor the Heddon Vamp, the Jointed Vamp was given a model series 7300. This wooden, glass eyed vintage fishing lure would enjoy success and be in […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Fishing For History, Trade House Tackle
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 10 Van Camp Hardware of Indianapolis
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 10 Van Camp Hardware of Indianapolis Trade House Tackle, Part 10:From Blacksmith Tools to Tackle:–Van Camp Hardware of Indianapolis Van Camp hardware is one of the legendary names in the wholesale hardware field. Founded in the nineteenth century in America’s heartland, it served the middle west for over […]
Antique Lures, Fishing For History, Fly Fishing, Fly Rod Lures
The Strange History of the Fizgig and Wibble Wabble
The Strange History of the Fizgig and Wibble Wabble Chicago’s Wartime Fly Rod Lures By Dr. Todd E.A. Larson The Summer of 1942 would seem by just about any measure to be the worst time to launch a new business concern. But considering the state of affairs concerning the outdoor world, it might be considered […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Friends & Clubs
Angling Marketplace January STA Ending Tonight
Angling Marketplace January STA Ending Tonight Starting at 7:00pm EST, if any lot receives a bid during the last 10 minutes of the auction (6:50-7:00pm), an extension timer will start on that lot for 10 minutes. Each time another bid is placed, the 10 minute timer resets, until no further bidding occurs, then each lot […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Fishing For History, The Friday Fun House
Friday Fun House February 1st Edition
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Were testing out a few new columns in the fishing for history magazine so I thought I would add a few samples to the Friday Funhouse News & Noteworthy ORCA announced the Dates of its National Convention in Oklahoma in concert with the folks from Zebco for their 75th anniversary. […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Fishing For History, Trade House Tackle
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 9 Bostwick-Braun Company
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 9 Bostwick-Braun Company Trade House Tackle, Part IX: The Bostwick-Braun Company of Toledo, Ohio The Bostwick-Braun Company is one of the oldest surviving corporations in the state of Ohio. Founded in 1855 by a pair of brothers–William and Charles B. Roff–from Racine, Wisconsin, it has served the Ohio […]
Master Biff Antique Fishing Lure This lure is a true classic, a Master Biff Antique Fishing Lure. Dating to the mid 1920’s this wooden fishing lure has a hollowed out head and two exiting side ventrals for the water to pass through. The lure measures roughly 2 3/4″ has a single forward line tie and […]
Weezel Sparrow Antique Lure The Weezel Sparrow Antique Lure was first introduced around 1946. This lure was made in Cincinnati, Ohio manufactured by the Weezel Bait Company. This wooden lure is touted to have been covered in real Mallard Duck Feathers. This ingenious idea was based on the predator and prey theory of some of […]
Heddon Spoony Fish Antique Lure This Heddon Spoony Fish Antique Lure was a short lived model. This solid metal antique Heddon lure was given a model series 590, has the outline of a fish, measures 4 1/4″ in length and tops the scales at 1 oz. This lure is the middle size of the 3 […]
Shimmy Diver Antique Lure This Shimy Diver antique lure is a very scarce Texas made Lure, a model series 600. This classic pier bait style fishing lure was made by the International Mfg Company in Denton Texas. The lure measures just north of 2″, has painted eyes, 2 trebles. The antique lure comes painted in […]
Tight Lines Tuesday Win-Oreno by John Etchieson This very rare Win-Oreno brand Irish Linen Cuttyhunk line coiled on a card, is not found in any of the company’s customer retail catalogs but was found featured in the 1935 South Bend Bait Company Dealers’ catalog. It was illustrated with a leaping bass taking a South Bend […]
Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part 3By Dr. Todd E.A. Larson© 2008 The AuthorThe Sad Demise of Thaddeus Norris From humble beginnings in January 1874, over the past three years Thaddeus Norris had labored long and hard to establish his name as synonymous with quality. But just as he was put into a position […]
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” […]
Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fishing For History, Fly Fishing
Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part 2
Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part 2 By Dr. Todd E.A. Larson Rodsmithing 101 Thad Norris’ importance went far beyond just the fly rods he made with his own hand. His Chapter XVII in The American Angler’s Book entitled “Rod-Making” gives a succinct overview of the contemporary state of rod building that is the […]
Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fishing For History, Fly Fishing, Friends & Clubs
Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part I
Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker By Dr. Todd E.A. Larson Introduction What would convince a successful businessman, internationally respected author, and an icon in his field to begin a new career at the age of 63 that promised enormously long hours, excruciatingly exacting work, and precious little pay? At a time when most of […]
Heddon Floating Vamp Spook Lure The Heddon Floating Vamp Spook Lure was a transition lure produced between 1931 and 1934. This lure was an attempt to usurp the wooden Vamp with the newest technology in plastics, it would in in 1932 run a parallel line to it. This vintage lure was given a model number […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fishing For History, NFLCC
2019 NFLCC National Lure Competition
2019 NFLCC National Lure Competition Rusty Jesse announced today, the NFLCC is once again holding a national lure competition at the 2019 National Lure show in Fort Wayne, IN this July. All NFLCC members are welcome to enter. There will be three classes of competition Musky Class: Musky lure has to be at least 8″ […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Fishing For History, Friends & Clubs
The Angling Marketplace January STA
The Angling Marketplace January STA The timed auction catalog will go live and bidding will commence this Friday, January 25 at 7:00pm. After 10 days of bidding, on Monday, February 4, if any lot receives a bid during the last 10 minutes of the auction (6:50-7:00pm), an extension timer will start on that lot for […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fishing For History, The Friday Fun House
Friday Fun House January 25th Edition
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Video of the Week X 2 Double Feature, Grab a reel, a refill and get comfortable…. 12 Things I would buy if I could afford them. Heddon Ice Spook Decoy Hardy St George Fly Reel Heddon #14 Bamboo Rod Langley Blue 310 Streamlite Fishing Reel in Box HEDDON […]
Pflueger Baby Scoop Lure The Pflueger Baby Scoop Lure was first introduced in 1952. The lure was listed through the 1960s in the catalogs. Floating, artificial minnow, designed especially for spinning. Side hook gives the Baby Scoop an action resembling that of a crippled or injured minnow. A counter-rotating propeller blade on each end. Especially […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Fishing For History, Trade House Tackle
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 8 A.C. McClurg
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 8 A.C. McClurg Trade House Tackle, Part VIII The Bookseller’s Fishing Tackle, A.C. McClurg & Co. of Chicago One of the most surprising fishing tackle wholesalers has to be the Chicago firm of A.C. McClurg & Co., a name far more famous in book circles than in fishing ones. […]
Angling Echoes, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fishing For History
Angling Echoes January 2019
About This Issue As we begin our second year of Angling Echoes, both Matt and myself would like to give a great thank you to everyone who has subscribed and read our little magazine. The first year was a grand learning adventure and it is just now that we feel like we’re hitting our stride. […]
The First American Fishing Tackle As I was prepping for a course I’m teaching on the first half of American history, I recently came across a great eBook from the legendary Project Gutenberg that details a bit on the origins of American angling. New Discoveries at Jamestown: Site of the First Successful English Settlement in […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Fishing For History, The Friday Fun House
Friday Fun House January 18 Edition
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Video of the Week. 12 Things I would buy if I could afford them. Heddon Box Goite Combo Mizera Decoy Phillipson Rod Shakespeare Box Bon Net Lure in Box McHarg Lure Keeling Box Hot Tip of the Week Thanks me Later If 1 is Good 6 is Better Love […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Fishing For History, Trade House Tackle
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 7 Lippman
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 7 Lippman Trade House Tackle, Part VII Lippman’s Tool Shop Sporting Goods Company:The Little Sports Shop That Slayed A Giant This week’s edition of 52 for 52 details a largely forgotten Detroit-based sporting goods store known as Lippman’s Tool Shop Sporting Goods Company. It’s a bit of a […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Fishing For History, The Friday Fun House
Friday Fun House January 11th Edition
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Video of the Week. With 2019’s Milwaukee Show Next week I thought we should look at last years. 12 Things I would buy if I could afford them. VINTAGE AUSTRALIAN MADE ‘SEAMARTIN MARK II’ FISHING REEL Hot tip of the week this sweet Pagan Scale Bass Oreno is not […]
Fishing For History, Trade House Tackle
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 6 Yates Sporting Goods of Arizona
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 6 Yates Trade House Tackle, Part VI: The Yates Sporting Goods Stores of Arizona Who would have thought we’d be profiling not one but two Arizona trade houses in the first two months? Such is the sad state of knowledge concerning Southwestern fishing tackle. First it was the […]
Throwback Thursday January 10th by John Etchieson I write a lot of articles, blog entries, etc., etc. and my focus much of the time steers to the history of the item, or the item itself. I feel sometimes I dont highlight the important stuff or I get to busy doing 15 other things (Thanks to […]
Antique Lures, Fishing For History, Trade House Tackle
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 5 Hobbs Supply
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 5 Hobbs Supply W.H. Hobbs Supply Co. of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (Makers of the Bon Net Lure) W.H. Hobbs Supply Co. of Eau Claire, Wisconsin I love Wisconsin trade tackle, and not just because I grew up fishing Wisconsin waters. The Badger state was full of wholesalers and […]
Orchard Industries Slippery Slim Lure The Orchard Industries Slippery Slim Lure is another lure in the trio produced by the company. Based in Detroit Michigan, on Morgan Drive, this famous antique lure maker was probably more noted for it’s “Action Rod”. The company founded in the late 1940s by co-owners Lewis Adam and A. Johnson. […]
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Video of the Week.. 12 Things i would buy if I could afford them. It Appears that some of the links work and some dont, Ive redone the from scratch 4 times. So I will assume its on Ebays End. 1. The Charmer is a Timeless Classic Charmer […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), The Friday Fun House
Friday Fun House November 30th Edition
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Video of the Week.. 12 Things i would buy if I could afford them. 1. Super color JITTERBUG , Fred Arbogast Lure 2. Always loved this Musky Trolling Minnow 3. A good addition for every Shakes collector Vintage WM. SHAKESPEARE JR 4. One of my all time favorite Heddon […]
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Video of the Week Ive always enjoyed collecting dual purpose items use it and collect it… 12 Things i would buy if I could afford them. This weeks Black Friday Special is from Langs Timed Auctions, if you havnt been by there, stop by and check out the new […]
Samuel Allcock & Company The following history of the venerable British firm of Samuel Allcock was published in the 1888 edition of Wyman’s commercial encyclopædia of leading manufacturers of Great Britain. Allcock was one of the largest — if not the largest — makers of fish hooks in the world and branched out to produce materials […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Langs New Scheduled Timed Auctions
Langs New Scheduled Timed Auctions Langs New Scheduled Timed Auctions is now up and running full swing. If you haven’t been buy yet (Pun Intended) no better time than now! Don’t wait, as the name implies its a timed format. John, Debbie, Christina & Jim have unveiled a very cool way to buy, sell and […]
Angling Echoes November 2018 November is an interesting month in that, at least where I grew up, it brought the first icy fingers of winter as well as Thanksgiving — my favorite holiday. I love that we as a nation come together one day a year to count our blessings. And Matt and myself at […]
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House We will be doing another Friday Funhouse this evening, with some of the highlights from the Langs time auctions!!! So stay tuned. Video of the Week fill up your coffee and enjoy the ride…. 12 Things i would buy if I could afford them. 1. First is your hot […]
Antique Lures, Fishing For History, Trade House Tackle
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 4 Hudson’s Bay Company
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 4 Hudson’s Bay Company of Canada Trade House Tackle, Part 4: Hudson’s Bay Company of Canada The Oldest Tackle Trade House in the World Perhaps the most legendary of all corporations in America is also the oldest commercial store in North America, and one of the oldest in […]
Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Red Wing Mermaid Brand Casting Fishing Line Card
Red Wing Mermaid Brand Casting Fishing Line Card This is for a Classic, Vintage, Original, Red Wing Mermaid Brand Casting Fishing Line Card. This 90+ year old unused RED WING brand extra strong braided cotton casting line coiled on a card was manufactured in the 1920s by the Newton Line Company (est 1909) of Homer […]
Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Kilrush Brand Cuttyhunk Linen Tarpon Jumping Fishing Line Card
Kilrush Brand Cuttyhunk Linen Tarpon Jumping Fishing Line Card This Kilrush Brand Cuttyhunk Linen Tarpon Jumping Fishing Line Card is a beauty. Dating to the 1930’s era KILRUSH brand waterproof Cuttyhunk linen line coiled on a card was made by the Cortland Line Company. Established in 1915 of Cortland, New York to honor Kilrush (Irish: […]
Millsite Muskie Daily Double Lure This antique fishing lure is a Millsite Muskie Daily Double Lure. This classic vintage fishing lure measures 4 1/16″ in length, and weighs in as just about 3/4 oz. The lure was invented by Jack Withey & Jack Hall, and given a model series number 700. First introduced in 1941 […]
Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Video of the week, well 2: When doing what you love, aligns with helping those who who are brave enough to risk it all so you can. Next week may be the national holiday the country thanks you, but know there are many of us who served alongside you that […]
52 Trade Houses in 52 Weeks Part 3 Kerr Sport Shop of Beverly Hills Trade House Tackle, Part III: The Kerr Sport Shop of Beverly Hills: Fishing Tackle to the Stars Hollywood reached its Golden Age from 1930-1960, when such luminescent stars as Cary Grant, Gary Cooper and Bing Crosby became icons. Many of these […]
Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Ebony Bass SA Jones Fine Braided Fishing Line Card
Ebony Bass SA Jones Fine Braided Fishing Line Card This is a Classic, Vintage, Original, Ebony Bass SA Jones Fine Braided Fishing Line Card. This fine quality wonderful piece is new old stock. The Samuel A Jones Line Company (1930 – 1939) of Norwich New York made this EBONY BASS brand black linen enameled line. […]
Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Golden Spinner US Line Company Braided Fishing Line Card
Golden Spinner US Line Company Braided Fishing Line Card This is a Classic, Vintage, Original, Golden Spinner US Line Company Braided Fishing Line Card. This fine quality wonderful piece is new old stock. This unused GOLDEN SPINNER brand braided Japan silk enameled fly line coiled on a card was manufactured by the U. S. Line […]
Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Black Scottie Cohantic Fine Braided Fishing Line Card
Black Scottie Cohantic Fine Braided Fishing Line Card This is a Vintage, Original, Black Scottie Fine Braided Fishing Line Card. This fine quality wonderful piece is new old stock, and dates back about 80 years. This BLACK SCOTTIE brand braided cotton fishing line was sold by the Edward K Tryon Company of Philadelphia under their […]
Shakespeare Beetzsel Antique Fishing Reel This unique and very scarce Bait-Caster fishing reel. This is a very Scarce Shakespeare Beetzsel, Jeweled Antique Bait Casting Reel. This was originally made by the Redifor Rod & Reel Company from Redifor, Ohio. This is to whom the patents were assigned to. The reel is marked Model 26 & […]
Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Universal Brand Vacuoil Impregnated Japan Silk Enameled Line Card
Universal Brand Vacuoil Impregnated Japan Silk Enameled Line Card A Classic, Vintage, Original, Universal brand Vacuoil Enameled Silk Line Card. This unused and like new UNIVERSAL brand “VACUOIL” Impregnated first quality Japan silk enameled fly line coiled on a card that is marked Patent Pending was registered with the U S Patent Office on March […]