Gibraltar Fishing Line Spool The Gibraltar Fishing Line Spool is a classic piece of fishing tackle ephemera. The firm of G H Mansfield & Co. of Canton Massachusetts had already been producing some of the best hard braided silk fishing lines for 10 years when America celebrated the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. This historic […]
Tag Archives: fly fishing
Venetian Brand Gladding Japan Silk Fishing Line Spool This 1912 Venetian Brand Gladding Japan Silk Fishing Line Spool for lake or stream was manufactured by the B. F. Gladding Line Company (est. 1816) of South Otselic, New York. The label features the ‘new” Gladding trade mark introduced in 1912 in the center and the VENETIAN […]
Donegal Brand Gladding Cuttyhunk Irish Linen Line Spool The Donegal Brand Gladding Cuttyhunk Irish Linen Line Spool made for bass fishing was introduced in 1912 by the B. F. Gladding Line Company (est 1816) of South Otselic, New York. Gladding continued to make this DONEGAL brand until World War II, however, this version of the […]
Lance Brand Gladding Best Silk Fishing Line Spool The Lance Brand Gladding Best Silk Fishing Line Spool history; 85 + years ago this B F Gladding LANCE brand hit the bull’s eye with customers when it was introduced in 1931 as it was offered as a moderately priced but quality Japan silk casting line that […]
Vintage Airline Brand Newtons Wooden Fishing Line Spool This scarce 80 year old unused and like new full spool of the AIRLINE brand braided Nylon casting line, waterproofed by the patented Cravenette method, which was exclusive to its maker, the Newton Line Company (est.1909) of Homer, New York was introduced in 1939 and then produced […]
Boatmans Ashaway Cuttyhunk Twisted Linen Fishing Line Spool The History of Boatmans Ashaway Cuttyhunk Twisted Linen Fishing Line Spool; Ernest Hemingway owned a 38-foot fishing boat named Pilar. It was acquired in April 1934 from Wheeler Shipbuilding in Brooklyn, New York. It looked very much like the boat on this 1933 Boatmen’s Special Cuttyhunk by […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing, Line Spools
HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog 1928
HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog This HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog is a real gem. H.J Frost was a New York fishing tackle jobber or wholesaler as many refer to it as for the first quarter of the 20th century. As with many jobbers, Frost sold fishing tackle and wares under different names, many collectors […]
Antique Lures, Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Line Spools
HH Kiffe Fishing Tackle Catalog
Kiffe Fishing Tackle Catalog This HH Kiffe Fishing Tackle Catalog is a great example of a company that has been in the sporting goods business since the late 1800’s. Being able to look into the window or through the door back into 1925 we get to sample what the antique fishing tackle industry looked like. […]
Creek Chub Baby Crawdad The Creek Chub Baby Crawdad Lure was first introduced in 1918 and was first called the Crab Wiggler, later the Crawdad. The antique lure was a Creek Chub model series 400, and was a smaller version of the crab or crawdad. The Crawdad lure had quite a production run and was […]
19th Century Fishing Line 19th Century Fishing Line – Fishing lines came in a variety of packaging styles in the late 1800s besides being wound on wooden spools (which were introduced in the late 1870s). It was very common to find lines sold in “HANKS” (wrapped in elongated coils with the final wraps around the […]
Antique Fishing Line Blocks by John Etchieson Antique Fishing Line Blocks; 133 years ago in 1884 a fisherman was just as likely to find his fishing lines to be packaged on a wooden frame, called a “line block”, as he was to find them wrapped onto a round wooden spool since those had only been […]
Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card This item is a Vintage New and unused Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card. This rare silk fly fishing line that was coiled and attached to a cardboard card from 85+ years ago was only made for two years due to the company’s economic conditions caused by […]
Vintage Indian Brand “VACUOIL” Impregnated Japan Silk Enameled Fly Line This unused and like new INDIAN 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 29, 1922 by the manufacturer Cortland Line Company (est. 1915) […]
1937 Hall’s Celebrated Florida Pride Brand Twisted Linen Fishing Line Card This 1937 Hall’s Celebrated FLORIDA PRIDE brand twisted linen fishing line coiled on a rectangular card was manufactured from the highest quality flax imported from Ireland by the Henry Hall Line Company (est. 1840) of Highland Mills, New York. This line which came in […]
Heddon Luny Frog Lure Initially the Heddon Luny Frog Lure was introduced around 1927. Changes in material would influence the way Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan would do business for decades to come. Making a switch from the standard wooden material, Heddon would evolve into a colossal giant making artificial baits with plastics. It widely known […]
Trout Fly Fishing Line Assortment Trout Fly Fishing Line Assortment; Finding a rare brand of fishing line that was made more than 85 years ago is almost impossible for a collector of antique fishing tackle to do these days and then finding the identity of the graphics artist that provided the image for the label […]
Antique Reels, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)
Ashaway Boatmen’s Cuttyhunk Fine Braided Fishing Line
Ashaway Boatmen’s Cuttyhunk Fine Braided Fishing Line This is a Classic, Vintage, Original, Boatman’s Cuttyhunk, Fine Braided Fishing Line New on Card. This fine quality wonderful piece is new old stock, and dates back about 80 years. This version of the special BOATMEN’S Cuttyhunk brand hand laid twisted linen fishing line coiled on a card […]
1794 Fishing Tackle Ad This a 1794 Fishing Tackle Ad. It proves that sometimes while we believe the roots of the American Fly Fishing or Fishing Tackle industry started in the early to mid 19th Century, it did not. While names such as TH Bate, JT Buel, WD Chapman and others like Bradford and Anthony […]
The First Kingfisher Lines by John Etchieson Its Tight Lines Tuesday The First Kingfisher Lines ; Between 1890 and 1905 the E J Martin Company Kingfisher brand was granted a registered trade mark by the U S Patent Office for each of three slightly different variations to the artwork that was used on their first […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Pflueger Lures
Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888
Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888 This Pflueger Antique Fly Lure 1888 ad is one of those that I found off the beaten path. Recording media has been done since the beginning of time, its just the mode, methods and the medium for transmission have change. I found this great old Pflueger Antique Fly Fishing lure […]
2006 NFLCC Magazine Article Index This NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2006 contain the below Mentioned Articles. These and other Issues can be purchased by following the link below. National Fishing Luce Collectors Club Magazines June 2006 Volume 16 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a amazing Collection of Antique Lures Reels Tackle & Flea Market Items Cover […]
NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2010 This NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2010 contain the below Mentioned Articles. These and other Issues can be purchased by following the link below. National Fishing Luce Collectors Club Magazines Summer 20010 Volume 20 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a amazing Collection of Contemporary Made Fishing Lures. From the Editor by […]
NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2008 This NFLCC Magazine Article Index 2008 contain the below Mentioned Articles. These and other Issues can be purchased by following the link below. National Fishing Luce Collectors Club Magazines June 2008 Volume 18 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a amazing Collection of Antique Lures Rod & Reel. From the Editor by […]
Heddon Punkie Spook Lure The Heddon Punkie Spook Fly lure was made no doubt due to the popularity of the now famous Heddon Punkinseed lure. This antique fly lure was a series 980, and shown in Heddon’s White Shore Finish Color Code XS and XRW. The lure was made in the in roughly a half […]
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 […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lure and Reel Ads, Antique Lures, Pflueger Lures
Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant
Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant This great Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing Tackle Plant article comes to us from November 10th, 1900. The article found in the trade rag, Hardware; A Review of the American Hardware Market. The article discusses the growth and transition through acquisition of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, Pflueger. Enterprise Manufacturing Pflueger Fishing […]
Shakespeare Perfect Line Spool The history behind the Shakespeare Perfect Line Spool. Shakespeare’s PERFECT brand – In 1909 the William Shakespeare Jr. Company (est. 1897) of Kalamazoo, Michigan introduced a new trade mark for its “Indian Silk” fishing lines with the likeness of the famous Chief Red Cloud (1822 – 1909) of the Oglala Lakota […]
Raven Thos Wood Fishing Line Spool The history behind the Raven Thos Wood Fishing Line Spool. This 80 year old rare and unused 1939 RAVEN brand silk casting line with an attractive Art Deco – Streamline Moderne style designed silver and red foil paper label was manufactured by the Thos. H. Wood Company (1880 – […]
Marathon Brand Fishing Line Spool This Marathon Brand Fishing Line Spool is over 80 years old. This rare full and unused 1939 MARATHON brand braided waterproofed silk bait casting line was produced for just 3 year with silk imported from Japan and spooled onto this mahogany colored wooden line spool by the Marathon Line Company […]
Little Comet Brand Line Spool This Little Comet Brand Line Spool is over 80 years old. Dating to 1930’s era LITTLE COMET brand pure silk fishing line was made for the Montgomery Ward catalog and retail department stores by the Cortland Line Company of Cortland New York. It is thought that the brand name LITTLE […]
Mayo Brand Cuttyhunk Line Spool This Mayo Brand Cuttyhunk Line Spool is Circa 1930 an introductory year version of the MAYO brand twisted Irish linen Cuttyhunk line was manufactured by the Newton Line Company (est. 1909) of Homer, New York from 1930 through 1941 using 4 label variations with this one being the first. The […]
Newton’s Admiral Line Antique Wooden Fishing Line Spool This Newton’s Admiral Line Antique Wooden Fishing Line Spool twisted linen Cuttyhunk line was manufactured by the Newton Line Company (est. 1909) of Homer, New York. This line was only manufactured in 1940 and 1941 during that same period when Admiral Harold R. Stark was the Chief […]
Shore Line Brand Wooden Fishing Line Spool This Shore Line Brand Wooden Fishing Line Spool is made of the finest quality Irish linen line was manufactured from 1937 to 1941 by the Cortland Line Company (est. 1915) of Cortland, New York. It was made without the Cortland company name for resale by the retail trade […]
Steelhead Gladding Japan Silk Wooden Line Spool This 1912 Steelhead Gladding Japan Silk Wooden Line Spool was made from the highest quality imported Japan silk by the B. F. Gladding Line Company (est. 1816) of South Otselic, New York. The brand honored the fish of the same name and the line was made to catch it. […]
Scarlet Chief Gladding Wooden Fishing Line Spool This Scarlet Chief Gladding Wooden Fishing Line Spool brand mirror finish fishing line was constructed of a high quality braided Egyptian cotton in dark green color combined with specks of scarlet colored threads. It was introduced in 1912 by the B. F. Gladding Company (est. 1816) of South […]
Alta Line Antique Wooden Fishing Line Spool This Alta Line Antique Wooden Fishing Line Spool is 115 year old. Circa 1903 era ALTA brand Linen line for salt or fresh water fishing was hand made from the best flax imported from Ireland and manufactured by the Henry Hall Line Company (est. 1840) of Highland Mills, […]
Winchester Line Spool The Winchester Line Spool 97 years ago this silk fishing line with its graphic label of a fish taking a antique fishing lure was introduced to the public by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company (est 1866), a prominent American maker of rifles, guns, knives, tools, and fishing tackle, located in New Haven, […]
Warner Winner Line Spool The Warner Winner Line Spool, WARNER WINNER – More than 80 years ago in 1937 this attractively labeled WARNER WINNER brand silk casting line was sold by the Warner’s Hardware store located at 13 South 6th street in Minneapolis Minnesota. Warner Hardware was founded by Frank R. Warner in 1875 and […]
Perfection US Line Spool The history behind the Perfection US Line Spool. This is a Vintage Perfection US Line Japan Silk Casting Antique Wooden Line Spool is a classic piece of fishing tackle ephemera. The “PERFECTION” brand was infringed upon by the United States Line Company in 1926 when they attempted to sell their own […]
Mascot US Line Waterproof Japan Silk Casting Line Spool This Mascot US Line Waterproof Japan Silk Casting Line Spool is a classic piece of vintage fishing tackle. The United States Line Company of Westfield, Massachusetts was established in 1926 and adopted this backside label image of a flying eagle with a fish in its talons […]
19th Century Fishing Lures, Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives
Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives This Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives is part of a series of lithographs I’ve always enjoyed. Currier and Ives created over 7500 different titled lithographs. They were made between 1834 to 1907. Some of their fly fishing and fishing series even appearing on calendars. The annals of American […]
Reuben Wood Forrest Stream In this Reuben Wood Forrest Stream article from 1896 Vol. 47 we see an account from Mr Fred Mather about fishing with Reuben Wood. One of my favorite pieces that Ill share from later is a 1897 catalog from his fishing tackle company, its a bit worse for wear on the […]
Heddon Wilder Dilg Bob Davis Fly Lure We’ve come to know the Heddon Wilder Dilg Bob Davis Fly Lure as Yellow Head Yellow Hackle fly. But, do we know who Bob Davis the American Editor and photographer is? Why is this a face on the cover of the intro Heddon Fly rod antique lure box. […]
Antique Lures, Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc), Fly Fishing
Louis Rhead Gamy Black Bass
Louis Rhead Gamy Black Bass The illustration by Louis Rhead Gamy Black Bass was part of a feature from the Brooklyn daily Feature on June 21, 1908. The Title of Gamy Black Bass How it is Caught with Bait and Fly, How and Where uses Rhead’s masterful use of illustrations to give the reader a […]
Antique Lure History Whence The Plug American Angler 1918 In this Antique Lure History Whence The Plug American Angler article you will find an amazing read. I was truly excited when I ran across this gem. If you love antique lures and you love the history bind them, you will love the article from the May […]
Heddon Top Sonic Lure The Heddon Top Sonic Lure was a Heddon Dowagiac Series number 300. This antique lure was made from 1966 to 1969, so it was a short run in comparison to some of its other sonic lure brothers. The Top Sonic fishing lure features a tail and a tiny dorsal fin the […]
Heddon Wood River Runtie Fly Lure The Heddon Wood River Runtie Fly Lure was first introduced in 1937. Made by Heddon in Dowagiac Michigan this antique fly rod lure was given a series 750. The 1930’s was a time of transition for the America, and the fishing lure industry. In the early part of the […]
Shakespeare Fly Rod Mouse Lure Shakespeare Fly Rod Mouse Lure, or the Swimming Mouse as its referred to sometimes was introduced around the late 1930’s or early 1940’s. The Shakespeare Company of Kalamazoo Michigan labeled it as new in the 1940 antique lure catalog, but Ive learned that sometimes print doesn’t change from year to […]
Ultra Casting Lines Lures & Reels Ultra Casting Lines Lures & Reels; The fancy cursive script font of the ULTRA CASTING brand is from the first quarter of the 20th century and is both distinctive and a highly sought after brand name by collectors of antique fishing tackle. The ULTRA CASTING brand was introduced about […]
South Bend Callmac Fly Bug The South Bend Callmac Fly Bug was a series model number 860. The South Bend Bait Company of South Bend Indiana made this Antique Fly Rod Lure was made for over two decades. The lure was first produced beginning in 1921 and ending in or around 1942, you’ll note that […]