The Martin Van Buren Fishing Tackle Exhibit

The Martin Van Buren Fishing Tackle Exhibit

For those who have been following the exploits of the Van Buren boys, you'll be excited to see Michael Hackney's (a V.B. boy) photos of the exhibit in the actual Martin Van Buren Kinderhook Museum.

Here is Michael Hackney's description:

I drove to the Martin Van Buren National Historic site in the pouring rain yesterday to present on our [Van Buren Boy] work. I arrived early so I could see and photo the equipment in Van Buren's home. I was given a personal tour of the house and grounds. We started in the kitchen - which is downstairs - to see John's creel. At first I thought it odd that the creel would be located in the kitchen, but it makes perfect sense when you see the display.

The fish were amazingly lifelike!

We then walked upstairs to the 2nd floor and Martin Van Buren's bed room. A large and beautiful desk sat near the window with the rest of the equipment on it. The desk was Van Buren's personal desk. Although he probably would not have had the tackle in his bedroom, the display is attention getting and seems natural. One rod section sits on the desk and the others are on the window sill next to it. I was allowed to cross the rope barricade to take photos. The lighting was really harsh with the window on one side and deep shadows on the other. I also did not have a lot of time since tours were being conducted for visitors. But I think I captured the display for you to see how it is presented.

Here are some great photos from Michael, along with his captions:


John Elder's poplar wood creel displayed on the kitchen table along with the day's catch.


Flys, baits, horsehair line, rod section and reel on Martin Van Buren's personal desk.


Flys, baits, horsehair line, rod section and reel on Martin Van Buren's personal desk.


The Porter's General rod sits on the window sill in Martin Van Buren's bed room.


Flys, baits, horsehair line, rod section and reel on Martin Van Buren's personal desk.


This informational plaque is located by the south gate house. It provides a good description of Martin Van Buren's angling interests. He even constructed and stocked the two ponds shown in the painting.


I am so happy to have been associated on this project with Royce Stearns, Michael Hackney, John Elder, and Philip Allen. They are true geniuses. And many thanks to Michael to send it our way!

-- Dr. Todd (a Van Buren boy)

Thursday Review: Van Buren Boys' Blog!

A cool new Fishing History project!

Some of you know the story of how I was privileged to view and authenticate the tackle of George Washington at Mount Vernon (I'm currently writing up the whole experience so stay tuned). Well, I guess I could not get presidential fishing out of my blood, as not long after I was contacted by the Martin Van Buren Historical Site and asked to help them set up a display of historical fishing tackle.


Since Van Buren was actively fishing in the 1840s and 1850s, it would have been impossible from a budget perspective for them to purchase actual vintage equipment. Besides, they are in the process of rebuilding Van Buren's five fish ponds. So I hit on the idea of having some of America's top tackle craftsman construct historically accurate working models of 1840s fishing tackle. This could be used by the museum in a display as well as demonstrated on the fish ponds.

The Van Buren Museum loved the idea, so I sent out some emails to friends I knew who had much, much more talent than myself. Dr. John Elder from California was entrusted with the task of building a Porter General Rod as well as a vintage tackle box. Michael Hackney agreed to build a period fishing reel with actual horse hair line (and even donate one of his incredible period fishing line braiders). Metalsmith Philip Allen agreed to construct some beautiful period metal baits. Royce Stearns will be making hooks from scratch and tying period flies. As for myself? I've been busy trying to resurrect Van Buren's fishing legacy, which has been tarnished repeatedly by angling historians.

To help educate the public on how such items are constructed we've launched The Van Buren Boys blog, which will chronicle our journey from conception to construction to display. So if you've ever wondered how an 1840s rod, or reel, or lure, or fly was made, tune in every week or so to see the update!

As an aside, the work these men are doing is largely volunteer. They should be commended for helping to promote fishing history to the masses. All tackle will be properly marked with the words "Van Buren Project" and the date so that there will be no chance of mistaking it for original, authentic tackle.

Check out the Van Buren Boys Blog by clicking here! Yes we stole the name from Seinfeld...It will also be listed on the links to the right.

-- Dr. Todd