I am pleased to announce that Ben Wright will be publishing his much anticipated Spinning Reel Report here on Fishing for History! Here is his first installment:
HE'S BACK AND IT AIN'T APRIL FOOLS !!!
After many emails from people worldwide saying how much they have enjoyed my spin-reel ebay reports I have decided to do a Quarterly report.
FIRST QUARTER 2009 JAN.---FEB.---& MARCH
HAS THE DOWN ECONOMY LOWERED SPINNING REEL PRICES ???? YOU CAN BE THE JUDGE !!!
ABU:
A Record 500 exc. w/fitted leather case @2,234.64
A 444 special tournament w/two tier spool paint wear
@1300.52
A 507 scf ewb @ 227.50
A 4X ewb wrong box? @283.00
A 3 re-issue nib @ 242.50
Abu Garcia black/white cup exc @ 187.50
A 3 tan/black repro? nib @ 366.88
and A 4 first version e+wb repaint?? @520.00 WOW
Airex:
A vic black e+wb @ 224.12
An Astra mastereel w/kit #714 exc @114.00
Australian:
A Vanguard exc- @ 233.27
An unmarked sidecaster Gem? exc- @361.30
Daiwa:
A 7000C nib @ 120.00
A 2500C nib @ 45.00
Dam-Quick:
A standard Cat #250 Quick-o-mat w/line counter exc @203.50
A 220 nib @ 122.50
A 331N nib @ 136.03
A 1000 nib @ 200.49
A 2000 nib @ 235.43
An early Junior? 1/2 bail dark brown exc @ 521.75
and A standard 250 FB nib @ 241.40
English:
An Allocks Duplex exc- @ 498.75
An Allocks Stanley nib @ 263.14
A Hardy Sea Altex nib @ 750.00
and A Chippindale w/special long tournament spool exc
@ 1346.96
French:
A La Soie RL1 exc @ 332.60
A Far Shot exc @ 447.70
A Centaure Caribe nib @ 250.00
and A Mepps Super Meca R/H retrieve e-wb @ 232.45
German:
A Silent Spin Flyte e-wb @ 239.68 WOW
An Atlantis nib @ 149.95
and A Sportex speed spin Deluxe exc @ 239.08
Italain:
A de pesci (two fish) exc- @ 456.55
An Alcedo micron Deluxe exc- @ 335.77
A Nautilus B2 exc @ 322.94
A Cargem 33 mignon nib w/ a mignon mate rod @ 535.00
A Coptes Mascotte nib @ 160.00
A set of Tools for Cargem reels w/leather case @ 777.95
HOLY COW !!!
An Alcedo Jupiter exc- @ 339.74
An Alcedo micron Settanta Gray color exc- @ 407.00
An Alcedo Omnia Medium Deluxe exc+ @ 219.50
and An Orvis 50A FB nib @ 219.50
Mitchell:
A 408 nib w/ 5' UL conlon rod w/case @ 462.00
A 308 Pro nib @ 171.05
A 4th version (300) w/1/2 bail e+wb @ 255.83
and A Garcia 300 tournament wedding cake w/4 tiered
spool exc was bid to 810.00 RNM
Penn:
A Black 710 exc- @ 46.55 reel deal!
and a 700 second version exc- @ 35.00
Shakespeare:
A Pres. ll 2900 exc @ 97.05
and A Pres. ll 2940 exc @ 82.50
Spanish:
A Viper exc- @ 628.58
and A Nemrod like new @ 767.85
Swiss:
A Blitz mpu paint wear @ 7.99 wow
A Staro w/mpu e-wb @ 252.42
A Benora coast Two Speed ewb @ 143.74
and A Thommen Record 500 nib @ 124.50
Zebco Cardinals:
A 6 second version nib @ 203.00
A 3 first version REPAINT? @ 249.50
A 4 6th version nib @ 200.00
and A Snoopy kids rod & Reel nip @ 41.00
Other Reels:
A Linecaster SR3 exc @ only 19.99
An Arnold Palmer e+wb @ 125.00 Holy Cow
an early Tap exc @ 386.57
A Rite Angler exc @ 100.00
and A Dragonfly nib @ 159.10
Books & Catalogs:
My books-- Wright Price Guide
first edition 1996 @ 72.68
second edition 1999 @ 73.55
and a 3rd edition 2002 @ 93.38
A Mitchell Collectors Reference Guide Dennis Roberts
book #387 @ 205.00
A German Triplex cat. Date?? @ 307.63 Wow
and a 1928/29 Dam Cat. @ 118.23
Thats it for now!
Ben
Awesome report! Thanks to Ben for compiling this for all the spinning reel fans.
-- Dr. Todd
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
News of the Week: 30 March 2009
Zebco recalls fishing rods due to lead paint...why downsizing your tackle box might work wonders...fishing brings home the cheap dinner...the final word on Antique Tackle and Fishing Lure Day...refining your lures...7 year old girl better angler than you...Oklahoma christens big bass season with two 14 pound hawgs...Russia releases 20 billion rubles for the troubled fishing industry...a ten inch Alabama Spotted Bass is one man's lunker...mourning the loss of your favorite fishing lure...a recipe for a smooth drag...fishing is still popular...it must be THE NEWS OF THE WEEK!
The Big Lead: First Shakespeare, now Zebco forced to recall kid's fishing rods.
Why downsizing your tackle box may be a good idea. You can always send the excess lures and reels directly to me...
More Economic News: Why fishing is an easy way to bring home a cheap dinner.
A report on the Antique Tackle and Fishing Lure Day in Arkansas.
A review of Zeno Hromin's Hunt for Big Stripers.
Why now is a good time to refine your fishing lures.
7-year old girl much better angler than you; lands sailfish twice her size.
Stripers are beginning to reappear in Delaware Bay.
Oklahoma's Big Bass Season has begun with two 14-pound lunkers.
How to hook kids on fishing.
The Panther Martin is still slaying bronzebacks.
Russia has released 20 billion rubles ($600 million) for the desperate fishing industry.
Memories of a great angler.
More on the forthcoming documentary "From Barbed Wire to Barbed Hooks: Fishing Stories from Manzanar."
Why a ten-inch Alabama Spotted Bass is a lunker to one proud papa.
One writer mourns the loss of his favorite fishing lure: Little Red.
John Merwin gives us a recipe for a smooth drag.
The Big Lead: Apparently, fishing is still a popular past time. I would never have guessed that.
-- Dr. Todd
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday Poll Results
Sunday Poll Results: Do You Insure?
I thought the most recent poll was most interesting. Only a quarter of people surveyed insured their fishing tackle under a separate policy. I think this is really the way to go. Whether you have a collection worth only a little or whether you have one worth a lot, it would really, really benefit you to take out a separate insurance policy. The NFLCC has an agreement with a popular national insurance company to issue specific policies for fishing tackle. Look into it!
A fun poll this week: With the Final 4 set, who will win the NCAA Basketball championship?
-- Dr. Todd
I thought the most recent poll was most interesting. Only a quarter of people surveyed insured their fishing tackle under a separate policy. I think this is really the way to go. Whether you have a collection worth only a little or whether you have one worth a lot, it would really, really benefit you to take out a separate insurance policy. The NFLCC has an agreement with a popular national insurance company to issue specific policies for fishing tackle. Look into it!
A fun poll this week: With the Final 4 set, who will win the NCAA Basketball championship?
-- Dr. Todd
Streater's Thought of the Week
Every weekend Dick Streater gives us his thought of the week, culled from his voluminous files on fishing and tackle history.
Streater's Thought of the Week: The Trolling Spoon is one of the oldest and most successful of artificial baits. The first ones were made from real spoons, or rather the bowl part of one (in dessert size) with a hole in one end for the line and a single hook attached to the other end.
-- Dr. Todd
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday Funhouse
Ever wanted to see a Hammerhead shark attack a tarpon? Me too.
This is a super rare Heddon Musky Minnow in Sienna crackleback. A WOWSER in any language.
If three grand doesn't get your attention for this Ambassadeur 5000, nothing will.
Instant Collection Alert: 28 CCBC Beetles!
How about this nifty Stan Bogdan fly reel?
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They don't come much nicer than this Milam #3 Kentucky Reel.
This 1883 Fred Malleson fly reel is rarer than the day is long.
This is a great Walton Speed Bait in musky size.
Got to love this Al Foss Easy Control 3-25 reel!
How about a Heddon #105 underwater minnow in the box with papers?
You don't see these Creek Chub fly rod lures around very often at all.
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This is a pretty Native American salmon creel.
This Los Angeles hand-made Joseph Coxe reel is a real sweetheart.
Here's your Haiku of the Week
Edward K. Tryon
Sold Pflueger lures in boxes;
Marked them Kingfisher.
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This Pflueger Kihoga saltwater reel was named for Cuyahoga County.
Who says newer Rapalas aren't collectable?
Here's an oddball lure: the Jiffy Kicker.
Another oddball is this Bal-Dart Minno-Magic in the box.
As always, have a safe and happy weekend and be good to each other, and yourself.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday Review: Stefan Duma's Antique Tackle Observer
Thursday Review: Stefan Duma's Antique Tackle Observer
One of the really neat new sites on the internet is The Antique Tackle Observer, run by Britain's Stefan Duma. For many years Stefan published the ATO in print form, and it was one of the best publications of its kind. Stefan is a world-class researcher who writes primarily (but certainly not exclusively) on British fishing tackle.
Recently Stefan has started posting some of his great articles from issues past, as well as new research, on his blog. It is absolutely required reading for anyone interested in fishing tackle history. Recent subjects have included republications of articles on Ed. vom Hofe and Hardy Bros., as well as new material on Dingley, Westley Richards, and the Hardy Tobique reel. Stefan has occasionally posted information on upcoming auctions and other relevant information for British collectors.
With an almost surreal archive at his disposal, Stefan will not run out of research material in the next 100 years. Bookmark his site as I am certain in the coming months he will share more of his meticulously researched articles from the ATO, as well as new research certain to help set the record straight on numerous subjects.
To visit Stefan's blog Click Here.
-- Dr. Todd
One of the really neat new sites on the internet is The Antique Tackle Observer, run by Britain's Stefan Duma. For many years Stefan published the ATO in print form, and it was one of the best publications of its kind. Stefan is a world-class researcher who writes primarily (but certainly not exclusively) on British fishing tackle.
Recently Stefan has started posting some of his great articles from issues past, as well as new research, on his blog. It is absolutely required reading for anyone interested in fishing tackle history. Recent subjects have included republications of articles on Ed. vom Hofe and Hardy Bros., as well as new material on Dingley, Westley Richards, and the Hardy Tobique reel. Stefan has occasionally posted information on upcoming auctions and other relevant information for British collectors.
With an almost surreal archive at his disposal, Stefan will not run out of research material in the next 100 years. Bookmark his site as I am certain in the coming months he will share more of his meticulously researched articles from the ATO, as well as new research certain to help set the record straight on numerous subjects.
To visit Stefan's blog Click Here.
-- Dr. Todd
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Texas Fishing Lure History Part 7: Speed Cast of Denison, TX
Texas Fishing Lure History Part 7: Speed Cast of Denison, TX
A week or so ago, I wrote about a company known as the Speed Cast Fishing Tackle Manufacturers of Denison, Texas. Since then, thanks to some great Texas lure collectors like Tony Henne and Ed Brown, I've been able to uncover some more information about this very cool lure manufacturer.
Apparently the man behind Speed Cast was Raymon McVay, of 717 West Morgan Street in Denison. McVay applied for and was granted a number of fishing tackle patents that range in date from the 1940s to the 1970s. This implies that Speed Cast was around for as many 30 years, making it a very successful firm indeed.
McVay's first patent was not for a lure but, interestingly enough, for an adjustable bobber. I've not seen this particular bobber before, but it was important enough to be cited numerous times in later bobber patents. He applied for the patent on 20 April 1948 and it was granted as #2498815 on 28 February 1950.
McVay's second patent was for a fishing lure, applied for on 26 June 1954 and granted on 24 April 1956 as Patent #2742729. As the picture below shows, this lure was sold as the Speed Cast Fantail lure. This would appear to have been Speed Cast's most popular lure, as it was still being advertised 20 years after the patent was granted.
Courtesy Tony Hennes.
This patent was also used to cover the later Gold Digger lure, a lure style popularized by Bill Lewis' Rattle Trap. I believe the name "Speed Cast Lure Co." is a later permutation.
Courtesy Ed Brown.
In 1964, the prolific McVay was granted two additional patents for metal lures. The first was filed on 10 March 1961 and granted on 14 April 1964 as Patent #3128572. It appears to be a kind of jig head to be used with plastic worms, similar to a Kautzky Wiggly Ike.
The second patent granted that year was for a casting spoon. It was filed for on 07 May 1962 and granted 01 September 1964 as Patent #3,146,543. It was later sold as the Chump spoon, a take off on the popular Pflueger spoon named the Chum.
On 15 November 1967, McVay applied for a patent on a deep diving lure which was granted on 26 Auguest 1969 as Patent #3462871. This would be the lure sold as the Fandiver.
Courtesy Tony Hennes.
Speed Cast made other lures that do not correspond with any patents. The Topfan, for example, was a topwater lure in a common shape.
Courtesy Ed Brown.
The Speed Cast family of lures were all made from injection molded plastic and were painted in a variety of neat colors. Below are some of the color schemes used by the firm.
Courtesy Ed Brown.
The history of this firm deserves some significant research. Speed Cast lures were manufactured from at least the early 1950s until 1976, and likely beyond. Below is a photo of two 1976 Speed Cast lures issued to celebrate the nation's Bicentennial.
Courtesy Ed Brown.
They are a great example of a Texas lure company that produced a good number of lures over a long period of time, yet has somehow managed to fly under the radar. Hopefully this little overview will help introduce Speed Cast to a larger collecting world, and help us all to appreciate that there are dozens of Texas lure companies such as this that deserve our attention, and our respect.
Many, many thanks to Ed Brown and Tony Hennes for sharing photos.
-- Dr. Todd
A week or so ago, I wrote about a company known as the Speed Cast Fishing Tackle Manufacturers of Denison, Texas. Since then, thanks to some great Texas lure collectors like Tony Henne and Ed Brown, I've been able to uncover some more information about this very cool lure manufacturer.
Apparently the man behind Speed Cast was Raymon McVay, of 717 West Morgan Street in Denison. McVay applied for and was granted a number of fishing tackle patents that range in date from the 1940s to the 1970s. This implies that Speed Cast was around for as many 30 years, making it a very successful firm indeed.
McVay's first patent was not for a lure but, interestingly enough, for an adjustable bobber. I've not seen this particular bobber before, but it was important enough to be cited numerous times in later bobber patents. He applied for the patent on 20 April 1948 and it was granted as #2498815 on 28 February 1950.
McVay's second patent was for a fishing lure, applied for on 26 June 1954 and granted on 24 April 1956 as Patent #2742729. As the picture below shows, this lure was sold as the Speed Cast Fantail lure. This would appear to have been Speed Cast's most popular lure, as it was still being advertised 20 years after the patent was granted.
This patent was also used to cover the later Gold Digger lure, a lure style popularized by Bill Lewis' Rattle Trap. I believe the name "Speed Cast Lure Co." is a later permutation.
In 1964, the prolific McVay was granted two additional patents for metal lures. The first was filed on 10 March 1961 and granted on 14 April 1964 as Patent #3128572. It appears to be a kind of jig head to be used with plastic worms, similar to a Kautzky Wiggly Ike.
The second patent granted that year was for a casting spoon. It was filed for on 07 May 1962 and granted 01 September 1964 as Patent #3,146,543. It was later sold as the Chump spoon, a take off on the popular Pflueger spoon named the Chum.
On 15 November 1967, McVay applied for a patent on a deep diving lure which was granted on 26 Auguest 1969 as Patent #3462871. This would be the lure sold as the Fandiver.
Speed Cast made other lures that do not correspond with any patents. The Topfan, for example, was a topwater lure in a common shape.
The Speed Cast family of lures were all made from injection molded plastic and were painted in a variety of neat colors. Below are some of the color schemes used by the firm.
The history of this firm deserves some significant research. Speed Cast lures were manufactured from at least the early 1950s until 1976, and likely beyond. Below is a photo of two 1976 Speed Cast lures issued to celebrate the nation's Bicentennial.
They are a great example of a Texas lure company that produced a good number of lures over a long period of time, yet has somehow managed to fly under the radar. Hopefully this little overview will help introduce Speed Cast to a larger collecting world, and help us all to appreciate that there are dozens of Texas lure companies such as this that deserve our attention, and our respect.
Many, many thanks to Ed Brown and Tony Hennes for sharing photos.
-- Dr. Todd
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Voices from the Past: Leta M. Burdick (1942)
Steve Scarborough sent me this awesome poem from the October 1942 edition of Tattler, the official newsletter of the National Association of Angling & Casting Clubs (NAACC). It was written by Leta M. Burdick.
Heritage of American Boyhood
by Leta M. Burdick
With fishpoles and lunches they drove away
My little son and his father, today.
I watched through a rainbow of happy tears,
Saw life unfold down the vista of years.
No boy could ever turn out bad
Who'd studied life with a Fisherman Dad.
A vision of all the American boys
Who'd known with their dads, a fisherman's joys
Came crowding my mind. Why, souls once so free
To Dictator never could bow the knee!
They've traded their rods for knapsacks and guns--
America's army of Fisherman's Sons.
They're fighting for more than their lives, it seems,
They're fighting for Boyhood's freedoms and dreams
That sons left at home and sons yet unborn
May still whip the streams in the dew of the morn.
Dear Friend of the Fishers of Galilee,
Help us keep America's trout streams free.
-- Dr. Todd
Monday, March 23, 2009
News of the Week: 23 March 2009
Hardy Bros. goes on the offensive against bootleggers...a profile of Wayne Carrigan's tackle collection...where lure collectors go to get their hair cut...remembering Tom Mann...more on the massive river pike...a record Blackbelly Rosefish...why fishing is flourising in the recession...the Macatawa sucker run...it must be THE NEWS OF THE WEEK!
The Big Lead: Fishing is growing in popularity due to the sour economy.
Silver Bay, MN: Where the discerning lure collector goes to get his hair cut.
A profile of Rochester collector Wayne Carrigan, with video evidence.
Little Rock, AR celebrates Antique Fishing Tackle and Lure Day.
Why the best anglers are masters of adaptation.
Opining on Jelly Worms, Little Georges and Leroy Brown.
One man's dream to open a fly fishing shop is fulfilled.
Where have all the perches gone?
Baltimore area anglers have a surfeit of options.
More on Britain's largest river pike.
24-year old catches record Blackbelly Rosefish. No, I've never heard of one either.
A New Hampshire fishing shop is reeling in customers.
Women and Trout: How to catch both.
The Lure of the Simple Life.
Ah, when the suckers run on the Macatawa River.
Finishing with a Flourish: How Hardy Bros. uses the law to protect its business all around the world.
-- Dr. Todd
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