Voices from the Past: Dixie Carroll on Wilson Wobblers

Over the next several months, I’m going to feature the fishing tackle writing of one of my all-time favorite writers, Dixie Carroll (Carroll Blaine Cook). These famed pieces of tackle were featured in his great book Fishing Tackle and Kits. They are fascinating write-ups of the tackle from a contemporary perspective. Below is Dixie’s write up on the Jamison Fly Rod Wiggler, one of the earliest true fly rod lures.

Wilson Wobblers And Getsem Bait.— Made by the Hastings Sporting Goods Works, Hastings, Mich. The whole family of Wilson Wobblers are good baits but the one that stands out way ahead of the rest is the old reliable fluted wobbler. This little old bait has a record as a fish getter that will make the rest of the family wiggle some to beat it. It has the most natural travel through the water possible to obtain by whittling a chunk of red cedar and it darts in through the water in a smooth swing that resembles the live bait to a fare-you-well. I know of many old musky, husky to the weight of from 25 to 35 pounds, that have answered to the last call at the inviting wiggle of the white Wilson wobbler with red flutes. And bass, say old-timer, it makes 'em crazy to get at it. The cupped Wilson wobbler is a good surface bait for the shallows, it travels on the top and has a bit of an erratic crawl that attracts attention, while the winged wobbler dives to a depth of about four feet and is especially good for the warmer weather when the fish are down deep looking for a little cool spot. The Six-in-one wobbler has an adjustable visor that can be moved to regulate the diving depth and make the wobbler do anything from a surface crawl to as deep as a six foot underwater swim and the motion it takes is attractive to the game fins. Of the whole outfit, however, I personally stack my chips on the white, red fluted wobbler, I am never without it on the fishing waters. The Getsem bait is a weedless plug in imitation of a chunk of pork and it can be cast right into the middle of a bunch of weeds or lily pads and come out without bringing the weed bed with it. It is a weedless bait. It should be reeled slowly and make the strike quickly when the fish strikes and don't be afraid to give it a strong strike as the arrangement of the hooks to keep the bait weedless make this necessary. For the weedy places where the big ones hang out, the Getsem is a livewire winner. The whole Wilson family of Wobblers and the Getsem are A-1 in material and workmanship and they are good lures.



Wilson Six-in-One Wobbler.



Wilson Wobbler.



Wilson Getsem.

— Dr. Todd

Sad News: Cotton Cordell has passed away ...

I just received news that Cotton Cordell passed away this morning in Hot Spring, Ark. at the age of 86.

Here's a link to a bio I did on him for the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History.

R.I.P. Cotton.

-- Dr. Todd

In the News: Batson and Gary Loomis Merge

In a move that will shake up the fishing rod industry, Gary Loomis and North Fork Composites will enter into an exclusive partnership with Batson Enterprises.



Loomis, of course, is a legend in the rod industry. After selling to Shimano he restarted his rod company in 2010. Batson has been in the rod industry for 20 years, so this combination should shake things up a bit for the fishing world!

It will be interesting to watch the ripple effects of this merger.

— Dr. Todd

The Art of the Lure with Elissa Ruddick: The Fred Arbogast Spin-Tail Kicker

The lure that turned a hobby into a business for Akron, Ohio resident Fred Arbogast was his Spin-tail Kicker. His first commercial advertisement, which featured the Weedless version Spin-tail Kicker, ran in the June 1926 issue of Hunting and Fishing magazine. This ad, along with the lure’s ability to catch fish, would be the catalyst Fred needed to become one of Americas, as well as the worlds, most recognizable names in the fishing lure industry. Being a fisherman himself, he invented lures to overcome specific problems he had encountered while fishing various conditions in waters all over North America. He officially formed the Fred Arbogast Company in Akron, Ohio in 1928.





Fred would go on to invent many other famous fish catching lures to include the Tin Liz, Weedless Kicker, Hawaiian Wiggler, Jitterug and the Hula Popper; but the little lure that started it all, was the Spin-tail Kicker!

If you have any questions/comments, Elissa Ruddick can be reached at elissaruddick AT aol DOT com.

— Elissa Ruddick

The Friday Funhouse

The Video of the Week

This video from the 1930s shows some early fishing in New Zealand. Check out the Swordfish reel at the :50 minute mark.



12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them

Well, this B.F. Meek #10 is going to break the bank.



A Stan Bogdan #0 is a perfect fly reel.



Like this Heddon Underwater Expert a lot.



A Pflueger Monarch in a wood slide top box is super cool.



A Pflueger Maybug? Yes, please.



Holy Heddon #300s, Batmamn!



A South Bend Minnow in the box is awful.



Heddon #700 in burnt sienna is a fantastic find.



Ans. B. Decker was a great lure maker.



Love this CCBC Deluxe Wag-Tail Chub.



The Gentleman Streamliner is a nifty rod-and-reel combo.



As always have a great weekend, and be good to each other, and yourself!

— Dr. Todd

The Spinning Reel Report with Ben Wright: December 2014

                           DECEMBER 2014

ANOTHER YEAR ENDS---------------

WONDER WHAT THE NEXT YEAR WILL BRING ??

Featured Reels:
Rare French Riche with marbleized body/spool exc sold @ 1,011.91

Spanish Alevin 2 exc sold @ 920.84

Book-Wright Price Guide For The Reel Man third edition 2002 book #375 of 500
starting price @499.99 "NO BIDS" don't think I had any printed with gold 
leaf !!!!
is relisted at the same price ------------

Abu
444 second version ewb @ 202.51

Bradco exc+ asking 88.88 best offer accepted

Bristol 69 exc+ @ 78.63

Dam Quick 110N e-wb @ 72.85

French:
Contact 400 blue exc @ 159.01
       "        "     bronze e-wb @ 152.45
      "         "   super express exc @ 140.86
Crack 200 fb ewb @ 95.00
Farshot myk-ado exc- @ 503.08
South Bend 707 two speed ewb @ 43.00

Italian:
Alcedo oceanic e+wb @ 406.00
Coptes Alcedo 2001 nib @ 382.00
Ofmer- Wright & Mcgill ECP nib @ 104.49
Old Pal Cougar 600 gray/blue spool e-wb @ 159.50
ZANGI;
Torino 111 exc @ 307.11
Lot 1-Holliday 30 and 4-Holliday 40's all exc @ only 360.00

Japanese:
Compac sierra 1v ewb @ 48.00 wow
Delmar switch-a-line exc @ only 8.35
Heritage 448 exc @ 14.95
International 100 1/2 bail nib @ 51.00
       "                  "     "      "  exc @ 133.91 wow
Roddy matic 910-A cut-a-way ss exc- @ 21.00
shakespeare 2910 exc@ 58.52
        "              2940 exc+ @ 62.00

Mitchell:
Garcia 408DL ewb @ 756.00
1,000 mitchell parts all nip with buy-it-now 500.00 best offer accepted
sure wish they would NOT do that !!!

Ocean City:
350 yellow ewb @ 35.00
   "        "      nib @ 48.99

Penn:
711 green nib @ 132.13

Trimline Trimcast CF ewb @ 30.00

Wordens Jet Caster with belt exc  @ only 59.00

The deal of the year-------
lot --- with Johnson Century100B
            Zebco 66 CF
           Swift 660F
       very Rare Zangi Trio first version
and a super rare Italian Minerva
all exc- sold @ only 49.99
how to go Tom !!!!
until next year
Ben

The Fishing Photographer with Doug Bucha: Happy Holidays!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE GANG AT TONIGHTS HEDDON MEETING



In attendance: Bill Sonnett, Mike Kechkaylo KECH, Ric Ladonski, Randy Sherrill, Tom Coleman, Erick Norris, Max Merrill, Dean Rudasics, Doug Bucha and Don & Joan Lyons.

-- Doug Bucha

Voices from the Past: Heddon's Baby Crab Wiggler (1920)

Over the next several months, I’m going to feature the fishing tackle writing of one of my all-time favorite writers, Dixie Carroll (Carroll Blaine Cook). These famed pieces of tackle were featured in his great book Fishing Tackle and Kits. They are fascinating write-ups of the tackle from a contemporary perspective. Below is Dixie’s write up on the Jamison Fly Rod Wiggler, one of the earliest true fly rod lures.

BABY CRAB WIGGLER.- Made by James Heddon's Sons, Dowagiac, Mich. When Heddons thought of imitating the little old crab, that succulent food of the enterprising bass and other game fish, they sure hit the bull-eye right plumb in the center. For a something different bait in the artificial line with a wiggle, dive and crawl of the crab tied up in its make-up the crab wiggler has been making the game fish strike in that swirling curve that almost takes the hair off the head as the game rascals drive into it. I have had very fine luck with the crab wiggler finished in the natural crab color, especially for bass and big wall-eye pike and the smaller baby crab wiggler is a wonderfully good lure for stream bait-casting for small-mouth bass. It is a floater and sure has a great wiggling crawl in the water. I had the best results by working the crab wiggler through a series of short jerks of the rod, that is by giving the tip of the rod a slight jerk, then making a couple turns on the reel handle followed by another slight jerking movement and so on until finally reeled in. About the second jerk, which gives the crab wiggler a sort of backward, darting crawl like the real crab, some old " he-bass" generally gave it a crack and the fun was on. Like all of the famous line of Heddon's Dowagiac baits, the crab wiggler is made right both in material and workmanship. The enamel finish of the bait is excellent and it stands up under mighty rough usage without cracking or chipping. The new scale finish, underlaid with red and with a golden tint to the side scales is a rattling attractive lure any time, while the white finish I have found particularly good for night and moonlight-fishing as well as on a cloudy or dark day. The natural finish crab color makes a 100% winner for fall casting when the crabs have become a bit scarce, although this finish I have found good all through the season. The crab wiggler is a worthwhile artificial in any kit.



Classic Green Crackleback baby crab wiggler.



Baby crab wiggler in downward leaping bass box with papers.



1917 ad for baby crab wiggler.

— Dr. Todd

In the News: The Record Setting Lure

BASS Pro and tackle collector Bernie Schultz writes some great stuff for Bassmaster, but few have been as good as this article on the “Record Setting Lure.”



Bernie goes into detail about one of the great fishing lures of all time, the legendary Musky Haskell Minnow that broke all sorts of records when it went to market.

It’s a nice read and a great example of how tackle sometimes can break into the mainstream.

— Dr. Todd

The Art of the Lure with Elissa Ruddick: The #901 Heddon “Lone-Eagle” Kit

Heddon’s No. 901 “Complete Bait Casting Outfit for Expert or Novice” was introduced in their 1931 catalog for a “Special Combined Price of $16.85.” The one in the photo is the earliest version with the “Kit Box” that was “sturdily made of heavy fiber-board, covered by a serviceable and waterproof cloth in Spanish Leather finish.” I suppose the waterproof cloth covered fiber-board didn’t hold up that well, as they were soon using a metal box. I love the colorful graphics inside the box lid as much as anything. On the right hand side, it reads,


1931 Heddon Catalog cut.
“The Old Guide’s Choice!”
A Famous Guide and Veteran Fisherman made this selection as being a practical and compact outfit for all game-fish.
A valuable addition to regular equipment of experienced anglers for short trips or to keep in the car; also for guests at camps. An ideal outfit for the less experienced fisherman who wants something good. For Boy Scouts and Young America everywhere, it is a worthwhile present for all occasions.”
Well I’m no “Boy Scout” or “Young America”, but I certainly consider this outfit a “worthwhile present for all occasions!”
If you have any questions/comments, Elissa Ruddick can be reached at elissaruddick AT aol DOT com.
— Elissa Ruddick

The Friday Funhouse

The Video of the Week

This feature for Michigan Out-of-Doors features Mark Martin’s fishing lure collection.



12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them

This Otto Zwarg is A-OK.



Wow, this Shakespeare Revolution is superb.



It’s raining Bronson Reel-O-Mines lately!



A clean Red and White Luny Frog is a great find.



This Bristol Advertising poster is really iconic.



This French “Doperr” reel is pretty rare.



This is a super cool color on a CCBC Beetle.



This Smithwick is really interesting.



A CCBC Pink and Blue Pikie is unreal.



A Horton Meek #3 is always a cool reel.



Not going to find a rarer Shakespeare than this Tournament special.



A Heddon Prototype is going to make someone VERY happy.



As always, have a great weekend, and be good to each other and yourself.

— Dr. Todd

Merry Christmas 2014!

Penn collector Erik Kramer sent me this photo and I had to share it ... a Penn Christmas! So have yourself a great holiday and a Merry Christmas everywhere!



-- Dr. Todd

The Christmas Angling Poem (2014)

A repost from the past (and this year even printed in Crappie Angler magazine!). I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and overall glad tidings to everyone in this holiday season! Enjoy!

My apologies to Clement Clark Moore for butchering his classic, but I could not let the holidays pass without a shot at rewriting his beloved poem, with a fishing theme...

An Angler's Christmas
butchered by Dr. Todd
'Twas the night before Christmas and all across the lake
Not a creature was stirring, not even a snake
The stockings were hung in the cabin with care
In hopes they'd be filled with bugs made of deer hair

This angler was nestled all snug in his bed,
While visions of Pfluegers danced in my head;
Shakespeares and Heddons both old and brand new
All served to disrupt my long winter's snooze,

When down on the dock there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Worried about my Big O's in mint silver flash,
I tore open the door to investigate the splash.

The light reflecting from the nearly full moon
Gave the lustre of mid-day to my Dardevle spoons,
When, what to my shock down the hill should appear,
But a Skeeter bass boat filled with reindeer!
And a portly old fisherman, so lively and quick,
I saw it was the angler we knew as St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his reindeer disembarked,
And he whistled, and shouted, their names he did hark:
"Now, Bagley! now, Paw Paw! now, Norman and Zebco!
On, Arnold! on Rebel! on Jamison and Nebco!
To the top of the steps! to the end of the dock!
Then on to the shore, my grazing herd flock!"

As dry flies that before the stiffest breeze fly,
When they meet with the wind and blow in the sky,
So along the dock the bounders they flew,
Followed by the boat full of tackle, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the shore
Their prancing and pawing and reindeer like roar.
As I drew in my breath, and was turning around,
Up the steps St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in B.A.S.S. gear from head to foot,
And his Ranger Boats cap was blackened with soot;
A bundle of rods he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a trout bum just opening his pack.

But his eyes, they twinkled, his smile was so merry!
His hooks were all sharp, his reels were so cherry!
His Orvis fly rod was as lithe as a bow,
And his hand tied streamer whiter than snow;
A piece of his leader he held tight in his teeth,
And the rest of his line lay coiled like a wreath;

St. Nick the Angler adjusted his belly,
And it flubbered around like a worm made of jelly.
But despite his big girth he could handle a rod
And he had taken his share, in spite of his bod
He slipped in the house with nary a word
As I stared in disbelief at his grazing deer herd.

St. Nick got to work, and with a nod of his face
He gave his approval of my piscatorial cache
He spoke not a word, and went straight to his work,
Filling the stockings with baits made to jerk,
Arbogasts, Helins, Spoonplugs and Skinners
Bass Pro, Cabelas, and multi-blade spinners
The stockings were soon just bursting with treasure
And he threw in a Winston, just for good measure

Then laying his finger aside of his head,
He gave me a nod, and down the steps he fled;
Into his boat he jumped, with its promo decals
And he puttered off out of sight to fish with his pals

But I heard him exclaim, as he trolled out of sight,
"Good fishing to all, and to all anglers, a good-night!"

Merry Christmas!

-- Dr. Todd

In the News: Karl White’s Tackle Museum

Karl White has finally decided what to do with his collection … apparently he is going to open a Museum of Fishing Tackle in Branson, Missouri. You can read more about his decision, and background, by clicking here.

This is Karl’s third attempt at finding a home for his collection. It is our sincere wish that the third time be a charm for him!

— Dr. Todd