Deconstructing Old Ads: Live Bait and Red Thread (1920)

Deconstructing Old Ads: Live Bait and Red Thread (1920)

Today's ad from the April 1920 issue of Sporting Goods Dealer reminds me of a couple of aspects of bass fishing that have disappeared in my lifetime. The first is the large number of bass fisherman who for much of the last century depended on live frogs, minnows, crayfish and many other forms of live bait. How often today do you find someone fishing with live frogs for bass? Unless one lives near the right habitat, procuring a supply of live frogs may not be all that easy. I have had several folks, now in their eighties, tell me that they made money as boys catching and selling live frogs to local bait dealers. One gentlemen recently told me that his father maintained a large pit in a wet, grassy swale, where he daily removed and sold the harvest of stranded frogs. Well folks, the Anglers Company from Chicago, Illinois has come to your rescue if live frogs, minnows, crayfish are unavailable. They not only sold live bait, but many varieties of preserved baits that could be called on, at a moment's notice.


What really caught my eye in this advertisement is the pork rind bait pictured with yarn tied around it. Toward the bottom of the advertisement, the statement is made that, “All Pork Rind Baits are properly strung with red yarn.” If you are a reader of articles and books on bass fishing that were written between 1900 and 1960, you will have regularly come across advice to thread some red yarn through a pork chunk or pork frog to make it more effective. Indeed it was not too long ago that such pork rind baits with red yarn were still available from Uncle Josh, though I have not seen them of late. Just the other day someone posted a picture on Joe's Board of a 1905 Heddon #100 with gobs of red hair or cloth tied to each of the hooks. A few years ago when pre-1920 tackle boxes were still turning up regularly, it was not unusual to see underwater minnows with a strip of red felt or yarn attached to each hook. The thinking was that red felt, red yarn or red painted on a plug represented blood trailing in the water, indicating to a bass that the bait represented an easy meal. Lately the same idea has been put forth in using red hooks on lures. (there are very few “new” ideas in fishing tackle, most are recycled).

Recently, in two prominent fishing magazines, I saw the following question asked of two different “Professional Fishermen” ---   “If red monofilament line is advertised as being nearly invisible underwater, why are red fish hooks advertised as being an attractor to bass?”

Nether time was there anything approaching a clear answer given to this question.

-- Bill Sonnett

ADDENDUM

Mike Pollock forwarded me the following pics of the actual pork rind tin with the thread wrapped around the bait. Thanks, Mike, for letting us see this rare piece of pork rind tackle!




 

The Friday Funhouse

Video of the Week

Joan Salvato Wulff fly fishing in the 1960s.



12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them

I like this dealer display of Pflueger Porcupine floats.


The Paulson's Combination Minnow in the box is a rare treat indeed.


This British line spool may not be in great condition, but it is from Pegley Davies. Who's Pegley Davies? No idea. I just think the name is cool.


For every 500 Hendryx reels you may find one box.


This is a wonderful and slightly melancholy letter from the great Jim Payne.


I wish I could have invested in saltwater lure futures…


As long as we're investing in lure futures, I'll take a block of bass lure futures, too.


A CCBC Fly Rod Pike on the card in the box…yep, I officially love it.


A really, really, really rare Cornelius Lie 1885 spring loaded lure.


You just never see these Heddon Giant River Runts for sale.


Is this the rarest Lazy Ike around?



You won't find a cooler bait than this Clinton Wilt fishing lure.



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

-- Dr. Todd

Field & Stream's Vintage Tackle Contest: Perrine Automatic Fly Reel

This week's Field & Stream Vintage Tackle Contest entry is the Perrine Automatic Fly Reel. To read about this classic automatic fly reel, CLICK HERE. Thanks to Joe Cermele and Berkley for sponsoring this!



-- Dr. Todd

Thursday Review: Rapala Legendary Fishing Lures by John E. Mitchell

Thursday Review: Rapala Legendary Fishing Lures by John E. Mitchell

Rapala Legendary Fishing Lures by John E. Mitchell came out in 2005 but I haven't seen very many reviews of it on fishing history sites, so I thought I'd give me two cents on it.


In short, it's about the most thorough history of a major tackle company we are likely to ever get. This is because it was written by John E. Mitchell, a British fishing writer and long-time Rapala employee, and was based almost exclusively on Normark corporate archival material. Research in Finland was conducted by a former Finnish Rapala employee who lived not far from where the founder, Lauri Rapala, grew up.

It's refreshing that the book seeks to put the rather incredible tale of a humble Finnish farmer into the proper historical context, constantly reminding the reader of such things as the Great Depression (during which Lauri Rapala worked so hard to provide for his family) and the incredible impact of World War II on Finland. That Lauri Rapala served as a soldier during the war is not surprising; what is surprising is that he managed to continue making lures.

The Finnish Minnow, Rapala's most enduring contribution, is chronicled from its origins in the mid-1930s through the post-WWII years, when Lauri took the huge gamble in starting a tackle enterprise full time, to the fortuitous sale of Rapala lures to Ground Zero for the Rapala Revolution--Duluth, Minnesota--where Ron Weber would famously stumble upon them and decide to get into the business of importing lures from a man he'd never met living in a country he'd never visited speaking a language he could not understand.

It is on such strokes of fate that thousands of livelihoods--and millions of angling hours--would turn.

Ron Weber and Ray Ostrom went on to found Normark, a company they formed to specifically import Rapala lures (the original letter of introduction is reproduced in the book, one of the most important letters ever written in fishing history). Later Normark Rapala would expand to such items as the Rapala fillet knife, but at its core the company was always about the Finnish lure maker's products. The Rapala family is never far from the center of the story, as first Lauri and then his sons play critical roles in not just running the company but growing it into an international conglomerate.

Mitchell is a deft writer working on solid historical ground. His judicious use of Rapala archival material will be a delight for all tackle collectors and the detailed descriptions of each and every lure ever manufactured by Rapala (including years of manufacture and colors) make this a definitive history of Rapala fishing tackle. Perhaps the most difficult chapters to write were the ones on recent Rapala history, which saw this family-owned company morph into a multi-national giant. Mitchell does a nice job navigating these tricky waters.

There are only a few minor quibbles. Little time is spent explaining Rapala's position vis-a-vis other tackle competitors and allies. Not all lure colors are pictured; in fact, most aren't. Additionally, the historical overviews seem to stop some time around 1950, which is a shame as they are some of the most interesting parts of the book.

A very attractive hardcover with dust jacket, this book is 208 pages and in full color. It is a book that absolutely must be part of any decent fishing tackle or history library. It is currently available from Amazon.com and other outlets.

-- Dr. Todd

A Perfect Little Fly Reel

This past summer at NFLCC Nationals I picked up a neat little 1 weight fly rod from Don "The Lure Magnet" Ludy. However, since it is such a dainty wand, I have been having trouble finding a reel for it. Fortunately, at the recent Daytona tackle show, I was able to pick up a nifty little reel from a fellow ORCA member. It's one of the coolest little fly reels I've seen:






It was made by the same maker who constructed two other fly reels sold by Dean Smith and available on this thread on the Classic Fly Rod Forum .

It is a remarkably nifty little guy. Made of machined aluminum, it weighs 2.375 ounces on my postal scale. Dimensions are -- Spool diameter 2" and Outside Diameter 2.1875".

The really cool part is how few working parts there are (who really needs a drag when you're fishing a one weight). SPOOL (SCREW) - FRAME - FOOT (attached with two screws). That's it.

Anyone looking for a pattern to machine a usable small stream fly reel could do far worse than adapt this design! And anyone with information on who might have made this baby, drop me a note...

-- Dr. Todd

Voices from the Past: Fred Mather Bashes Edward R. Hewitt's Experiments in Trout Cross-Breeding (1900)

The following article was written by noted angling authority Fred Mather and published in Forest & Stream on 20 October 1900. It deals with what Mather considered a horrible idea -- the dilution of the trout species in America. With the recent stand that Trout Unlimited and other are taking against genetically modified trout, the issue is quite contemporary. It is refreshing to know that even 110 years ago, sportsman were willing to take a stand against trout "mules."

Angling Notes

by Fred Mather

Dr. John D. Quackenbos has kindly sent to me the following letter on the subject of hybrid fishes from the Howietoun Fishery, Stirling, Scotland.

"We beg to acknowledge receipt of your most interesting letter in which you ask specially as to our experiment with hybrids. Most of these had no practical results, and since Dr. Day's death no fresh ones have been made. The only hybrids or crosses now at the fishery are the zebras, which are Made by meeting the ova of Loch Leven or Vario trout with fontinalis char. The progeny are finely marked, hence their name, but are very irregular in size, and subject to deformation.

We have a few ten year old fish up to 4 of 5 pounds in vveight, but they are quite barren. We have also the cross between the S. levenensis and. S. sailor. In the first cross there was a heavy loss in percentage of ova in hatching. The ova of the brood was again melted by S. levenensis, which made three-quarters trout and one-quarter salmon. The ova of this lot was again melted by S. levenensis, which made three-quarters trout and one-quarter salmon. The ova of this lot was again impregnated by S. levenensis, and this is the seven-eighths trout and one-eighth salmon mentioned in our price list.

There is not much perceptible difference between them and levenensis, only they are a little thicker and stronger on the whole, and in individual fish you can still trace some markings of Salmo salar. The late Sir James Maitland, the founder of the fishery, whose death was a great loss both to the fishery and to a much wider circle, took a keen interest in this cross. One can scarcely call them hybrids, as they are perfectly fertile.

There is no doubt that the introduction of fresh blood is often beneficial, but the important point is to make sure that the new blood is from mature parents and from a stock as good as or better than the native stock and of the same family. Dr. Day says: 'By judicious selection of breeders' races may be improved. The reverse is quite as true, that by an injudicious crossing of breeders, races may and will be degenerated."

Zebra trout were bred at Ringwood, N. J.. the estate of Hon. Abram S. Hewitt, and turned into the streams annually with no idea of their reproducing. They were a cross between the fario. brown trout, and fontinalis, our native brook trout. Mr. Edward Hewitt was of the opinion that they were earlier fish than the native trout, or than the brown trout, but I was not impressed with them, for I imagine I abhor a mule as much as nature abhors a vacuum. Ringwood is the only place that I have ever caught them, and perhaps, the only place where they were bred in this country. I say were bred, for they are bred there no longer. There are handsome fish for those who like zebras, and surely they do take the fly and fight above the water more than our native trout; but when they have had all the praise possible for beauty, and grace of movement, they are mutes, and either parent is a better fish.

Such crossings are well enough for scientists and experimenters, but the practical fish breeder should steer clear of mules as they are of no use in his business. The State of New York once went extensively into the mule business at one of the fish hatcheries, and when the stock of fish were bred to be ringed. strped and speckled, with marks of the short horn, Devon, Berkshire, Chester, white and Irish terriers, a merciful Providence intervened and destroyed the whole blooming outfit. Now the people get what they have a right to expect, straight goods, without a taint of of cross or any other monkey work. Nature is not in the mule business; it is man who is responsible for hybrids. There is fresh blood enough to be obtained from the same species of fish without going into collateral branches just to see how much the family can be mixed up and live.

-- Dr. Todd

News of the Week: 14 March 2011

Don't have time to read 50+ fishing and tackle collecting blogs and web sites? Well, let us do it for you! Follow all of the latest news, articles, and stories on our Whitefishpress Twitter account! Hint: You don't need to be a member...just bookmark the Twitter Feed Page or click on latest links to the right!

The Tackle Box closes…fishing season begins on the Isle of Man…all hail the Gizzard Shad…bamboo habitats for fish…fly fishing France…boosting your billfish odds…how to catch a 1000 pound fish…put a rug in your boat…IGFA finally approves tuna record…monster pike in Lake Evans…the secret to KVD's victory…monster Mako misses record…11 year old better angler than you, catches 31" walleye…Iowa painter of fishing lures wins duck stamp contest…it must be THE NEWS OF THE WEEK!

The Big Lead: The legendary Tackle Box in Gainesville is closing.

Reservoir fishing on the Isle of Man begins this week.


Captain Gus says spring will put boats in the water.


In praise of Gizzard Shad.


Bamboo habitats benefit lakes.

Fly fishing France.

How to boost your billfish odds.

How to catch a 1000 pound fish.


Put a rug in that fishing boat.

IGFA finally approves a world record Yellowfin.


Lake Evans produces monster pike.


Boyd Duckett explains why KVD won the Classic.


Al Lindner has been spinning for 56 years.


Monster Mako misses the world record by a few pounds.



11 year old better angler than you; catches 11 pound 8 ounce walleye.


Finishing with a Flourish: Iowa painter of fishing lures wins fifth Duck Stamp event.



-- Dr. Todd

1000 Words

1000 Words

The following ad for Fatima Cigarettes appeared on the back cover of a Minneapolis Tribune Sunday Magazine for 1914. It features the work of W. Smithson Broadhead (1880-1960), a fine British sporting illustrator of the day more noted for his horse racing paintings than his angling ones. It's a nifty piece nearly a century old, however, and is an excellent reminder of the days when great illustrators and painters could make a living wage painting sporting covers and adverts.



-- Dr. Todd

Deconstructing Old Ads: The "New Pikie Minnow" Intro Ad (1920)

The “New Pikie Minnow” Introduction Ad

One of the great things about advertisements in trade magazines like this one the April 1920 Sporting Goods Dealer is that they are aimed at dealers and not fishermen. So they often provide information on the introduction of new baits or new finishes. This ad contains a small note along the top margin announcing to dealers that this ad is about to appear in “leading Sportsman” Magazines” the implication being that as dealers you'd better stock up for the coming demand. Indeed the ad, in only slightly altered form, did appear in several magazines in the following months. I am fairly sure that no one at the Creek Chub Bait Company had any idea that this bait was about to become one of the best selling plugs of all time!


There are two, somewhat obscure facts tucked away in this ad. First is the testimonial written by A.F. Sydenstricker dated October, 11 1919. I have been unable to find out why old A.F. (the only A.F Sydenstricker I was able to find was Absalom born in 1851) knew about or received these baits prior to their formal introduction. The second often overlooked item is the small mention that the bait was “also furnished White with Blue Head” This leads to a personal experience many years ago when I found in the field an “ intro” Pikie box marked “#701” and it contained the seldom seen first model blue headed Pikie with its typical translucent blue-green head and earliest type Pikie hardware. After some investigation it became obvious that the next two colors added to the Pikie (white head-black body and red head-white body) were numbered 702 and 703. The numbers corresponding to these four colors all appear on the Pikie “intro” box. The numbers were changed no later than 1925 to their more well known color designations.

-- Bill Sonnett

The Friday Funhouse

The Video of the Week

Bing Crosby fishes in the 1930s.



12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford It

This is a super cool Evinrude 40th Anniversary Advertising sheet .


When's the last time you've seen an Edward vow Hofe tackle box ?


This Bogdan Model Baby Trout would go great with…


this Lyle Dickerson 8013 fly rod!


Is this Schroeder's commercial plug one of the rarest salmon lures ever?


I hope people realize just how rare this 450 yard Pflueger Sea King is!


Schnell! Schnell! No, not a WWII movie, but a nice creel.


Instant Collection Alert: Homer Leblanc lures, book, and painting!


Intel Report: Buy L&S lures like this original Lemaster Shiner BEFORE Steve Lumpkin's new book on L&S hits the shelves!


40 bids on this Mitchell 508 Ultra LIte makes this the belle of the (spinning reel) ball!


Invaders from Bronson -- coming to a Drive In near you!


This is a great True Temper -- Al Foss advertising piece!



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

-- Dr. Todd