Thursday Review: Lang's Fall 2009 Catalog

Thursday Review: Lang's Fall 2009 Catalog

This week's mail brought a very welcome present: the Fall 2009 multi-session Lang's Catalog on DVD. As this is the second year Lang's has utilized this new format for the catalogs; like the earlier version I found this to be easy to use and it definitely allowed me to "zoom in" on certain items.


Thousands of man hours go into the production of these catalog DVDs and it shows. Historically accurate (and interesting) text is interspersed with the catalog items themselves. Take for example Lot 1 -- an original A&F wooden sign. It is preceded by a nice one-page history. As I've written fairly extensively on A&F I can say that it's a nice synopsis of company history. What follows will certainly make any A&F collector go insane.

Since this is a review of the DVD Catalog and not the auction itself (which will come later, of course), I will refrain from freaking out over some of the individual items. Sufficient to say that I am utterly drooling over certain items as I write this.

The photography on the DVD is superb and allows for close inspection of the images through the previously mentioned zoom feature. The layout is clean and navigation a snap, at least on the Mac laptop. I didn't try it out on an IBM but assume that Acrobat Reader for Windows will likewise make navigation easy.

The highlights of the auction include the A&F items and the items from the author Norman Maclean, famed for the book and movie A River Runs Through It. Maclean family items including rods, signed books, etc. as well as items used in the filming of the movie itself have been put up for auction by Norman's son. I think these items alone will attract a nearly surreal amount of interest from hollywood collectors, let alone tackle maniacs.

Other items of great highlight include, as always, the selection of books and catalogs. Additionally, Lang's has really become the major outlet for tied flies from historic names such as Carrie Stevens, Ray Bergman, and Poul Jorgensen. There is also an unusually good selection of classic spearing decoys. And of course, Lang's always is a repository for fine angling art.

When it comes to rods, reels, and lures, well, since that is Lang's bread-and-butter the quality you come to expect is there. A great selection of rods includes a number by very hard-to-find makers, and the lures concentrate on spectacular examples of South Bend, Pflueger, J.T. Buel, Shakespeare, and misc. metal. The reels are perhaps the least amount (numerically) offered in the past few years, but as these things are cyclical (and because there were just so many in the past three auctions) this is not unusual. Plus, there are some phenomenal reels for sale.

With over 1500+ lots for sale, there are likely 10,000 or more pieces of tackle, ephemera, and tackle-related items in this auction. It should prove to be another firecracker of a sale. And the DVD catalog is well worth owning as both a preview of the auction, and as a reference tool.

The catalog is available on DVD and by download by Clicking Here. The Lang's auction takes place Nov. 06 and 07.

As an aside, please support the Holiday Inn Boxborough, MA tackle show which takes place on Nov. 05 and Nov. 06. Go to it and then hit the Lang's Discovery Auction. Information can be found by clicking here.

-- Dr. Todd

The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force: A Debate

The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force: A Debate

I guess one of the perks of running your own fishing blog is you get to meet some intelligent people. This is certainly the case here at Fishing for History -- I've been blessed by the number of really smart individuals I've come in contact with over the past three years.

This is why when news of the White House's Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force hit the web I sent out queries to some of the most intelligent people I know so that they could help me -- and hopefully you -- make some sense of what is going on. I'll let others have their say, and then way in later with my own opinion.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We begin with Jim Fleming, a noted publisher and writer as well as the editor of The NFLCC Gazette, the oldest publication dedicated to preserving fishing history in the world. Jim has waded through the issue and writes the following comments:

Our current administration wants to push through the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force Interim Report. They have given a 180 day window to get this done. This seems like another another set of policy changes that they can and will enact without giving adequate time or specific definitions to the issues. This is an Administrative directive with no oversight, no public input, no accountability and no measures to stop them once it is enacted.

As fisherman we need to be very concerned about how much power they are asking for. There is no clear definition between Recreational fishing and Commercial fishing, the plan simply calls it fishing. It is impossible to have uniform standards without clear definitions of who this will effect and how it will effect them. It is very conceivable that this plan could end recreational fishing on your favorite waterway.

The plan wants to enact a blanket policy across the entire country that simply will not work.

Each region has different needs and concerns. The "one size fits all" approach is not realistic. This plan will take away individual states ability to control their own water resources, conservation, and environmental issues and give it to the Feds. Who is better qualified to manage these recourses, the people on the ground or a pencil pusher in DC. All to often the Federal government makes their decisions based on economic growth of a particular area and not what is best for the entire region.

A perfect example of how well the feds can manage a resource can be found in their approach to controlling the Spiny Dogfish off the north east coast. They can't even accurately estimate the numbers of Dogfish yet they can dictate the harvest. All the while these eating machines are depleting the Haddock and Bluefish populations that help keep the ecosystem in balance.

The truth is the federal government is responsible for much of the loss of our countries fisheries and wetlands. In the interest of Economic Growth and flood control our rivers were re-routed and dredged for years before anyone on the federal level would admit that it was a huge mistake for the environment. It did not work well for flood control either.

Do we really want to give the federal government the freedom to dictate our recreational fishing activities on lakes like Dale Hollow, Erie, and Okeechobee? Lets not give them an inch and let them take a mile. The mile they take could be the mile of water you are fishing on.

Jim Fleming, Editor
The NFLCC Gazette

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The next commentary comes courtesy of Robert A. Miller. R.A. Miller is a geologist who has formerly taught at Vanderbilt, UT-Nashville, and Tennessee State University. The former Assistant Supervisor of the Tennessee Oil and Gas Board, Miller served as a Research Geologist with the Tennessee Geological Survey as well as the Chief of the Environmental Geology Section. He has authored numerous works on environmental geology, geomorphology, mineral resource geology, and several books on American angling history.

Comments on the Interim Report of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force

This recommendation for a national policy for controlling the use and development of our sea coasts and the Great Lakes is fraught with serious implications, not the least of which relate to recreational fishing. In fact, only the broad term “recreational opportunities” is mentioned, not sport fishing directly. The overwhelming theme in the report is that of addressing climate change, a term which appears in it no less than twenty nine times, and with as many climate-related terms also mentioned. Also found throughout the report is an emphasis that all planning and recommended actions be “science-based”, or “ecosystem-based”. It is certainly wise enough that such consideration always be a part of coastal management, but not to the exclusion of economic factors and individual ownership rights which received only cursory mention in the report. The question must also be asked “Whose science?”. If there are views that are in disagreement with current or future Federal policy and goals, are they going to be seriously considered?

Other terms and phrases include “stronger linkages between management and science”, “ecosystem-based management”, and “coastal and marine spatial planning”. There is also general reference to the overall problem of “non-point source pollution” stemming from a great variety of activities in the interior. This raises the possibility that rivers and tributaries and all impacting activities would also come under the purview of the NOC and might involve widespread federal control of fresh water sport fishing as well.

“Spatial planning” is taken to mean “land use” and little is said in this report about individual and corporate property rights. There is the recommendation for “expansion of a national framework for coastal spatial planning”. This has the potential for greatly impacting business and private coastal interests, including sport fishing.

There is also a recommendation for the United States to join the Law of the Sea Convention, whose edicts would take precedence over our national interests. This has the potential for imposing others’ proposals and plans on our sea coasts which may be contrary to the rights of landowners and sport fishing interests in the United States.

Although there is general mention of “collaboration with state and local governments” in planning it is highly unlikely that such agencies would have much influence over Federal recommendations relating to the broad range of its involvement in coastal planning and management in the future. It appears that this report outlines the basis for establishing a government entity, of what future specific form it is indefinite, that will constitute the quintessential bureaucracy, one with wide-ranging powers that are mandated and favored by and which reports to the President, not Congress, and that has the potential to disenfranchise individual, State and local government, and business rights.

R. A. Miller, Independent Consulting Geologist

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Our third contributor is David Pfeiffer, noted angler and conservationist who is also the President of the Shimano American Corporation. Dave contributes the following notes:

There are six key points in the July 1 joint submission to the White House Task Force from the recreational fishing community ( ASA / CSF / CCA / CCC / BASS). These organizations include Shimano. They are as follows:

1) The need for clear differentiation between commercial and recreational fishing in any strategy dealing with oceans and Great Lakes conservation.

2) A new national ocean policy should recognize the unique contributions of the recreational fishing community and re-affirm President Bill Clinton's Executive Order #12962 and amended by President Bush (E.O. 13474) on recreational fishing, which requires that recreational fishing be managed as a sustainable activity in federal waters.

3) A successful and balanced national ocean policy would promote a balanced-multiple use approach to ocean resource management which focuses on compatible uses. It would recognize the beneficial economic and societal role of sustainable fisheries, as well as other uses, and deem them just as important as conservation-not any less.

4) Responsibly regulated recreational fishing is a highly compatible activity with most, if not all, potential ocean uses.

5) Efforts should be made to attain all necessary scientific information (biological, statistical, socio-economic) prior to making management decisions that would unjustifiably impact coastal economies and the uses on which they depend. This scientific information should then be used as part of an adaptive management model.

6) Anglers play a critical role in fish and habitat conservation efforts in salt and fresh water. In the Task Force interim report, none of the substantive oral and written contributions of the recreational fishing community were included. At the CEQ meeting last Thursday with ASA / CCA / BASS / CSF, Task Force Chairperson Nancy Sutley acknowledged the absence of recreational fishing reference in the report, and described it as an ‘omission’ not a ‘commission’. ( I see the difference as purely semantic. ) She did not make any specific commitment to rectify the situation going forward.

Additionally, there are five key points from the White House Task Force Report of September 10, 2009:

1) The process by which coastal, ocean and inland fishery policy is determined and implemented will be dramatically changed to fall under the direct authority of the President, as recommended to him by a new National Ocean Council comprised of 23 federal agencies at Secretary / Deputy Secretary level. No Congressional oversight or involvement is mentioned or indicated.

2) The implications in the report suggest that ‘ecosystem management’ of aquatic resources and the permitted uses will extend into coastal and Great Lakes tributaries as part of ‘one global sea’, essentially including all waters in the U.S. other than farm ponds and water bodies with no flow. State jurisdiction is potentially placed in jeopardy.

3) The June 12 White House Memo creating the Task Force and the September report make repeated references to proceeding with the new ocean, coastal and Great Lakes strategy in keeping with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea treaty (UNCLOS). The U.S. has never signed this 300 plus pages treaty, but the report proceeds as if this is a fait accomplis. This treaty has potential jurisdiction and economic fee structure issues associated with it that could directly affect Congressional and state jurisdiction, state fish and wildlife agency funding, and we are uncertain what this would mean for Wallop-Breaux and Magnuson-Stevens in the future.

4) Submissions from the Big Green environmental groups (mainly PEW) were adopted into the Task Force report verbatim, in contrast to the failure to include any of the substantive points submitted by the rec fishing community.

5) As ordered by the President, the Task Force was given two mandates to be completed in 90 and 180 days. The first is the new policy / strategy direction as reflected in the Sept. 10 Task Force report. The second is to deal with ‘spatial planning’ – aka zoning of future uses of these waters – coastal, ocean, Great Lakes, tributaries. Marine reserves and permanent closures are expected to play a cornerstone role. NOAA Director Dr. Lubchenco is on the record advocating a minimum 20% permanent closure for all extractive uses in coastal regions – coincidentally the same arbitrary figure being promoted by PEW and the other Big Green groups.

I recommend the following actions:

The only way to slow the White House race to complete this new policy direction is for Congress to apply oversight to the issue. For that to happen, members of Congress in the House and Senate need to hear from constituents directly and immediately. The simple way to accomplish this is for people to visit:

www.KeepAmericaFishing.org

And click on Ocean Policy Task Force to send an e-letter to the administration, the Senate Commerce Committee ( authority for NOAA) and their own members of the House and Senate.

Additionally, people can write or call their Senators and Congressmen / women and ask that Congress take action to restore accountability, due diligence and transparency to this process, and insist that the administration include recreational fishing as a significant priority in any new policy.

People should also be in touch with their state officials to raise questions over how state jurisdiction may be threatened in this new direction.

David Pfeiffer, President
Shimano American Corporation

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Thanks to Jim Fleming, R.A. Miller, and David Pfeiffer for taking the time to help us illuminate what is clearly an important issue. I hope by reading this, and doing some research on your own, you'll arrive at your own conclusions.

-- Dr. Todd

Voices from the Past: Joseph Heely (1787)

The following poem was found by T. Westwood in the pages of a copy of Art of Angling, an 1806 publication by Bowlker. It is a charming poem about taking a salmon in the river Usk, near Crickhowell.

Poem on Taking a Salmon

Joseph Heely (1787)

'Twas May the second, eighty-seven.

The morning mild, and just eleven, 

When down to Usk I gaily trod

With winch and fly and line and rod; 

A soft and genial western breeze 

The water wav'd, and wav'd the trees.

Entranc'd, I view the lovely scenes 

That rise from woods or hills or plains,

Or gushing rills, in sportive play, 

As down the shelving rocks they stray, 

While low-tun'd birds on bush or wing

In rural concert jocund sing.

But when in view the rolling stream, 

The salmon's favourite haunt doth gleam, 

Unheeded then the woods, the hills, 

The birds, the plains, or gushing rills;

O'erjoyed with quicken'd step I move

To meet the sport I fondly love.

Where Yengolth's silver current ends,

And with the Usk her beauty blends;

Delighted there, with dext'rous art, 

The whizzing line around I dart— 

Now here, now there, with anxious mind, 

Nor leave one stream untry'd behind;

When in fam'd Cambolt pool at last— 

A Rise !—I strike—l hook him fast !

Not gladder Shobden's wealthy peer
Eyes his fat oxen or his deer;
Nor peeress, when her alms she gives,
Nor those her charity relieves;
Nor Gripus, when he views his store,
And counts and counts it o'er and o'er;
Nor Stella, just commene'd a bride,
Trimm'd out in all her nuptial pride,
Than I, to feel—O bliss divine !
A salmon flound'ring at my line.

Sullen at first he sinks to ground, 

Or rolls in eddies round and round,
Till more infiam'd he plunging sweeps, 

And from the shallow seeks the deeps; 

Then bends the rod, the winch then sings,
As down the stream he headlong springs; 

But turn'd with fiercer rage he boils, 

And plies, indignant, all his wiles, 

Yet vainly plies—his courage flown,
And all his mighty prowess gone.

I wind him up with perfect ease,

Or here, or there, or where l please, 

Till feeble and exhausted grown 

His glitt'ring silver sides are shown. 

Nor e'en one final plunge he tries, 

But at my feet a captive lies. 

His tail I grasp with eager hand, 

And swing with joy my prize to land.

-- Dr. Todd

News of the Week: 19 October 2009

Crocodile attacks angler as he reels in record fish...Great Whites are show offs...cod in danger...IGFA's new hall-of-fame class...huge cache of tackle found in attic...Florida fly anglers unite...Sand tigers are the coolest sharks...fishing invention wins Wisconsin family grand prize...luncheon meat lands huge catfish...why Jim Victorine is the Rod Doctor...it must be THE NEWS OF THE WEEK!

The Big Lead: Crocodile attacks angler as he lands record fish.


Ryan Leaf, one of the biggest busts in the history of the NFL awaiting extradition on 8 felony drug charges, is now a rep for a Canadian fishing lodge.


Great White Shark shows off (again), leaps out of water 300 yards from L.A. Beach.


First the bluefin tuna, now the cod is in danger of disappearing...

Huge cache of tackle is found in Attic.

The IGFA announces its 11th induction class.

In Florida, fly anglers are coming together.


Fishing is still important in Oswego.

How to maintain rods and reels.

Why the Sand TIger is the coolest shark.

These Ball State students learn the art of fly tying.


This Odenville, Alabama man makes great custom fishing rods.

Fishing invention wins Wisconsin family grand prize in contest.


The Hindu says to bite the Finnish bait.


Luncheon meat lands monster catfish.


Finishing With a Flourish: Why they call Jim Victorine the Rod Doctor.



-- Dr. Todd

Dealer Display Cards, Part 14

Dealer Display Cards, Part 14: Allcock!

Joe Stagnitti sent this in this week and I have to say when it comes to Dealer Display items, this one pretty much takes the cake!

Hi Todd,
Thought this would only be fitting for your latest blog post regarding Allcock as well as your continuing series on advertising pieces. This is an original 1890's wooden hinged display cases, complete with it's original baits, all sewn to the original cards.

Have had this for many years and it's one of my favorites. Includes lots of rare baits, Cleopatra, Jointed Cleopatra, Clipper, Paragon variation, 2 Livesey patent baits, all of the original rubber fly baits, etc....
Enjoy!!




-- Dr. Todd

A Thousand Words

A Thousand Words

The same old timer from last week, this time with a real rarity--a creel. You don't see too many vintage photos of creels! Courtesy Doug Jobe.



-- Dr. Todd

Deconstructing Old Ads with Bill Sonnett

Deconstructing Old Ads with Bill Sonnett
The Holzapfel Mushroom Bait

From the the May 1912 issue of National Sportsman comes this seldom seen ad for the Holzapfel Mushroom Bait. It illustrates the many problems encountered in research.


The address is 132 W. Carr St. In Jackson, Michigan, Carr Street runs north and south and there are no numbers that would correspond to 132. After much effort it was discovered that there were two Carr Streets in Jackson in 1912 and that they both ran north and south but were located on the east and west sides of town. After East Carr St was renamed, West Carr became just plain Carr St. Then in the 1920's the street numbering system for most of the streets was changed. The problem was then attacked by searching for people in the surrounding area named Holzapfel. We finally located and elderly gentleman in a nearby town with the same name who was the nephew of the bait maker. He suggested that we contact Mr Holzapfel's daughter, but he could not remember her married name. Eventually he came up with an address and we were able to contact the oldest daughter and were given a great interview. The best possible outcome arrived when she was able to locate the original photo seen here. John Holzapfel stands on the left of the stringer of bass and on the right stands his neighbor from across the street, Mr Wiford,  It turns out that Mr Wiford is the inventor of the Croaker Bass Bait! For a more complete story of these two fishermen and their lures, see the article THE JACKSON TWO in the December 1992 issue of the NFLCC Magazine.



-- Bill Sonnett

Friday Funhouse

Video of the Week
The Ballad of Little Miss Cutthroat.



Things I Would Buy If I Only Could Afford Them
Another McHarg shield bait from the same seller makes two in two weeks...and a pretty darn good tackle box find for one unsuspecting seller!


A Cat's Paw is a classic Michigan misc. bait.


Even Kent Frogs in not so great condition are lovely to look at.


This is a really cute brass Hardy fly reel.


Holy Moly is this Bellinger engraved fly reel beautiful!


This is a very cool Jamison Mascot in white.


For the saltwater collector, they don't come any nicer than these Squid Jigs in a dealer box.


Any Samuel Friend (or friend of Samuel) is welcome here.


A great Payne 205 is a wonderful find.


This is a super attractive Geiger creel.


I like this super crisp Bite-Em Bait and box combo.


How about this Heddon Lucky 13 in photo finish?


This Tuttle Devil Bug comes in a very rare box.


An Irish Castle Connell reel is just a super, super work of art.


This South Bend Whirl-Oreno is one of the weirdest but strangely hypnotic lures ever made.


This is the neatest skeleton fly reel in the box to ever have been sold by a Danish eBay user named Sir Greedy.


Chapmans are outstanding including this #2.



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

-- Dr. Todd

Thursday Review: Klaus Geschwinder's A Reel Life: Ari'T Hart Design (2009)

A Review of Klaus Geschwinder's A Reel Life: Ari'T Hart Design (2009)

Other then having featured them occasionally on the Friday Funhouse, I will admit to not having known a tremendous amount about Ari'T Hart, the Dutch fishing reel designer and manufacturer. That changed very quickly with the arrival last week of the new book A Reel Life: Ari'T Hart Design written by German collector Klaus Geschwinder (Roterstift, 2009 -- €19.99). It is as comprehensive of a study of Hart reels as will likely ever come to market.


Geschwinder has a world class collection of Hart reels which form the basis of this attractive full color 8" x 8" square book. It profiles over 100 various models created by Hart as well as a number of other fishing inventions. From the beginning, one thing becomes clear as you delve into these pages -- there is something unique and very aesthetic about these reels. They rarely remind you of another firm's products, in the way a Pflueger might resemble a Shakespeare or a Daiwa a Shimano. No, you won't soon mistake an Ari'T Hart reel after reading this book.

While many collectors and anglers will gravitate towards the more spectacular Hart models like the Traun or Rio Orbigo fly reels, my favorite reel in the book is the Hart I -- a simple model (by Hart standards) but functional and striking as well. It pretty much sums up for me the appeal of Ari'T Hart reels.

Like the reels, the book has a unique flavor as well. It is written in three languages (German/Dutch/English) at the same time -- a peculiar (and laudable) German tradition well known to anyone who's ever bought a book from Taschen. The color photography is superb and the layout reflects an author who is a designer himself. The models are explained in brevity with technical specifications.


An easy to overlook but fun part of the book is the section on other tackle inventions/items made by Hart. ATH made a fly tying vise that is absolutely a work of art. I would love to track one of these down one day.

What is missing are two things. First, a detailed history of the Ari'T Hart firm, from which I can surmise underwent some major changes, is largely missing. A few pages spent outlining the development of the company would certainly have been very helpful. Second, these reels beg to be taken apart. A few pages of internal photographs of the reels would definitely have been a great addition to the book. I guess I'll have to buy one and crack it open myself.

The beauty and importance of ATH reels can not be denied and the book as a whole is an excellent example of how to chronicle and display the work of a maker of this importance. With its reasonable cost A Reel Life should be a part of every reel collector or fishing historian's library. The softcover is limited to just 999 copies and with a price of €19.99 (approximately $29.95 in US Dollars) and a reasonable shipping cost, it will definitely sell out in the immediate future. With copies already selling for $300+ on eBay, you might want to get yours now.

The book is available directly from the author's web site.

-- Dr. Todd

E.R. Hewitt's Line Grease by John Etchieson

My friend John Etchieson posted this fabulous piece on Joe's Board, and since I liked it so much I asked him whether I could run this on my blog and he kindly agreed. It's a great piece of fishing history.

E.R. Hewitt's Line Grease
by John Etchieson


The historical significance of this very early wooden container of line dressing that was invented and patented by an incredible man who is considered to be a legend in the early history of fly fishing and in the late 1800s American and International Tournament Casting Competitions - Edward Ringwood Hewitt (1866 - 1957).


In researching the history of this early wooden container of "Line Grease", I have now accumulated more than 10 pages of typed notes for my book together with various pictures and copies of the many Patents that are related to E R Hewitt.



I have learned quite a bit about Hewitt's historically prominent family ties, Peter Cooper was his grandfather and Abram Stevens Hewitt was his father. 
I have also learned about his family's very close business and social connections with such famous people as J P Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, Abraham Lincoln, Buffalo Bill Cody, Teddy Roosevelt and so many other very wealthy and prominent figures from American history.


And, I also know what the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame had to say about him when he was inducted in 1999: 


"E. R. Hewitt was one of the most extraordinary individuals New York has
ever known. He was a chemist, inventor, innovator and a truly great fisherman.
His keen interest in trout fishing led him to purchase four and a
half miles on the Neversink River in 1918 where he created a hatchery
and laboratory. Soon after, Hewitt was recognized as a leading authority
on stream management and improvement. As an author, he penned several
books on angling. As an inventor, he held numerous patents, including
the felt soled wading shoe, a fishing line grease, an opaque leader, an
interchangeable fly reel and a bi-visible trout fly. His innovations make
him one of the greatest contributors in the history of fly fishing."


Hewitt is shown here at age 80 in his Laboratory on the third floor of his mansion on Gramercy Park in New York from LIFE MAGAZINE - 1946
.

What I do not know yet and would very much like to learn in particular from someone here on Joe's Board is this:

Was this "Hewitt Line Grease" ever even sold commercially, or was it just invented by Hewitt for his own use and for that of his very wealthy friends, whose names read like a "Whose Who" of America's most famous Industrialist and Politicians?


The street address that is given on the label shown above was Hewitt's private residence (a 35 room mansion located on Gramercy Park, in New York) where he maintained both his laboratory and workshop (Hewitt was an inventor with more than 40 Patents, including the Mack truck, to his credit) but I cannot find even a single sporting goods, fishing tackle, or hardware store AD or catalog listing for this Hewitt Line Grease in any of my pre 1910 catalogs or magazines.

Can anyone help shed some light on whether or not this particular item was ever even actually sold to the general public, and if so, when and by what firm? 

Thanks for reading my posting and for helping me to find an answer to my question.

NOTE: There were multiple follow-ups to John's original post which have now disappeared. Two particularly interesting ones are as follows:

Bill Peck wrote: "On page 26 of "Hewitts Handbook of Fly Fishing" he describes the dry floatant and says that it is available for 30 cents per box. First printing of the book is 1933."

Steve Starrantino wrote: "John I share the same enthusiasm on Hewitt as you do. I have collected his books, catalogs, bottles (some Dean now owns) and other goodies for 20 years. I have two Farlow of London pamphlets that advertise his Cast Soaker (look at the picture Dean sent. It has the Farlow label on it)and his Line Grease. The line grease sold through Farlow was in a metal tin not a wooden one. I have never seen the wooden one. William Mills sold some of his series of fly patterns and his "no flash" gut leaders. That I know for a fact. I do not have a catalog form Mills handy from the 30's or 40's to see if he sold other items through them. The leaders were also sold through Farlow as well as his Jungle Fly Preparation". It is advertised in the Pamphlet but I have never seen it. I also have hooks in a paper wrapper that is marked Hewitt hooks from Farlow. I also do believe strongly that he sold most of these items out of his Gramercy residence since there are two catalogs he published with the home address on it. Hope this helps."

Many thanks to my good friend John! Anyone with any information that might help John place this all in better context can contact him at JohnSEtch AT aol DOT com.

-- Dr. Todd

History of Samuel Allcock & Co. (1888)

The following history of the venerable British firm of Samuel Allcock was published in the 1888 edition of Wyman's commercial encyclopædia of leading manufacturers of Great Britain. Allcock was one of the largest -- if not the largest -- makers of fish hooks in the world and branched out to produce materials for all kinds of angling. Samuel Allcock was a bit of a crank, as well, as I illustrated in a chapter in my History of the Fish Hook in America, Vol. 1.

Samuel Allcock & Co., Fish-Hook and Fishing Tackle Manufacturers
Standard Works, Redditch
Telegraphic Address: Allcock, Redditch.

No house in this trade has entered into it in such a comprehensive way as the above Firm or infused into it such a progressive spirit and invincible determination to succeed, with the gratifying result that they stand in the van of this industry. For 
more than thirty years Mr. Samuel Allcock, the son of the founder, has 
been at the head of it. Not only do the Firm possess extensive Works 
at Redditch, where hand labour of the most skilled kind, combined 
with long experience and great judgment is employed, but to ensure the very best material for the gut of the hooks they carry on a silkworm factory at Murcia in Spain. Probably no other industry requires such a multiplicity of minute details as fishing-tackle making; to turn out a first-class fishing-rod it has to pass through some dozen sets of skilled operatives, and so with the baits and floats.

Comparatively little machinery is used, but it is the deft fingers and fertile brains of the operatives that are in constant requisition, and it is partly this fact that gives this special industry an impregnable position in this country; for, in spite of the most hostile tariffs the world over, Redditch sends its manufactures into every market, and in yearly increasing quantities; and to keep abreast of the times and still more firmly and wisely to maintain that enviable position, this Firm at once adopt all kinds of improvements, and have a special staff of intelligent employes whose business it is to study not only the different requirements of the varied markets, but to humour the tastes and fancies of the various fishes in the dress-up and appearance of the flies. Salmon, above all fish, are the most wary and fastidious, and require such a perfect presentment of nature, that the distant markets of Africa and the East Indies have to be searched to please him, and fly-making to be elevated to a fine art.


The different parts of the fishing-rod are composed of ash, hickory, greenheart, washaba, bamboo, and certain woods from China and the East Indies, but the best of all is the Dorset English ash, and it is a singular fact that although these woods are grown extensively in the United States, and the industry protected by a high tariff, they cannot rival in quality the best English goods, or keep them out of the market. The manufactures carried on at these Works consist of all kinds of floats, reels, swivels, landing-rings, gaff-hooks, gut-finishing, fly-dressing, and baits, to which there is no limit in change and ideas, comprising a spoon bait, an odd epicurean fish fancy, flexible fish, and the big "Paragon" baits for dolphins; flies, beetles, and other insects, and even lady-birds and frogs are utilised to tempt the appetites of the gourmands of the seas and rivers. The flies especially are of the most elaborate and enticing appearance, and it is no wonder young and old fall victims to the lure. No lesc than 1,700 different kinds and sizes of hooks are made, and are arranged in such order in the storerooms that at a minute's notice any given size required can be produced. Owing to the numberless articles required the stocks kept are very great, and are a picture of order, neatness, and regularity.


Messrs. S. Allcock & Co. are well-known and successful exhibitors, and were among the first to send contributions to those fishery exhibitions which attracted so much attention, and they carried off gold medals at Paris, Berlin, Wurzburg, Norwich, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, South Adelaide, Calcutta, and the highest awards at all the other exhibitions at which they were contributors, and we had the pleasure to inspect a superb case of fishing tackle previously to its departure for the Exhibition at Melbourne in the present year, 1888, and which case will be placed in Group V., Class 38, and will be numbered 725 in the Catalogue, and the contents of it will worthily maintain their present prestige and position in the trade.

-- Dr. Todd

News of the Week: 11 October 2009

A celebration of Adirondack legend Fran Betters...10 year old better angler than you...bamboo enthusiast Pete Jorgensen passes...Big Macks are back...tackle shop burglas are on the loose...Long Island fishing is a blast...two handed fly rods...U of Wisconsin inventors win contest with fishing device...new state record musky for Michigan...Gus Harvey is now an IGFA hall-of-famer...an invasive species alert...a new bass movie...rare tropical species caught in Britain...breast cancer survivors get free fly fishing lessons...it must be THE NEWS OF THE WEEK!

The Big Lead: A celebration of the life of the late Fran Betters.


10-year old much, much better angler than you: catches 52 pound halibut.


Noted bamboo rod enthusiast Pete Jorgensen passes away.

Don't store your tackle for the winter just yet...

Ah yes, the Big Macks are indeed whoppers.


Tackle shop burglars are still on the loose.

Fall fishing on Long Island.


Here are some new gadgets for the angler in your life.

The truth about two-handed fly rods.


A fishing inventions wins U of Wisconsin inventors contest.

The closing of black sea bass fishery stirs controversy.

Why ripping lures can work in shallow water.

ESPN launches Fishing America with a profile of a football coach who is also a bass angler.


One writer reports the big one got away. Again.

A surf fishing workshop.

Clark County, Washington anglers don't like the single, barbless hook rules.

All hail the Headington Shark!!


Guy Harvey will be inducted into the IGFA Hall-of-Fame.

A 33.8 pound striped bass makes one lady angler ecstatic.


Anglers land 750-pound Mako Shark.

A giant billfish gives three anglers the ride of their life.


10-year old boy better angler than you; lands 30-inch Northern.


Invasive Species Alert: the is wreaking havoc Australian Swamp Stonecrop.

A new Michigan state record musky has been caught in Torch Lake.


When it comes to fishing, not everything that counts can be counted.


BASS Anglers make their big screen bow in the premier of Bass: The Movie.

A rare tropical fish is caught in Britain for the first time.


Finishing With a Flourish: Women recovering from breast cancer can now get fly angling lessons.

-- Dr. Todd