1) His first fame came as a fishing guide.
2) He invented several important items of fishing tackle.
3) He was referenced fairly extensively in a popular fishing book written in 2000.
Who am I?
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Who Am I?
This photo dated 1939 is of a very famous angler during his time. Here are three clues:
1) His first fame came as a fishing guide.
2) He invented several important items of fishing tackle.
3) He was referenced fairly extensively in a popular fishing book written in 2000.
Who am I?
-- Dr. Todd
1) His first fame came as a fishing guide.
2) He invented several important items of fishing tackle.
3) He was referenced fairly extensively in a popular fishing book written in 2000.
Who am I?
-- Dr. Todd
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Art Lawton--Musky Angler by Mike Kaligordis
A few weeks ago, Michael Kalogridis posted an interesting story and pics on Joe's Board. With his kind permission, I've reposted it here to preserve this great piece of musky fishing history.
Several years ago I got a call from a woman living in Clarksville, N.Y., a small rural town about 10 miles South of Albany. She and her husband Paul grew up on the same farm road as Art Lawton. Art was a proficient "Musky Hunter" from the 1930s - 1960s. His prey were often subject of his prowess on the St. Lawrence River, near Clayton, NY.
Art Lawton with his disavowed record muskellunge.
His wife Ruth most always accompanied him on his outings, fishing their secret areas and applying his shielded techniques. In one article I read about him it says "the wooden diving lures, specifically the Creek Chub Pikie Minnows, were their favorites. Lawton was very much into color patterns, emphasizing the use of different colors depending on water clarity."
Picture of a CCBCO Giant Pikie known to have belonged to Art.
He probably painted the above lure to suit the conditions he was fishing at that time. I wonder where all the rest of his tackle ended up!
Art once held the world record Musky title for a 69 pound 15 oz. (64 1/2") catch in 1957. In the October/November 1992 Musky Hunter Magazine historical editor, John Dettloff's article, summarizing his research which overturned Art's record, appeared. In addition to the bait, copies of photos and the magazine, I was fortunate to also get the original letter John Dettloff wrote to the neighbor (requesting photos and information).
The other side of the Lawton Pikie Minnow; appears to be a Silver Flash factory paint shceme overpainted with a Black Flash paint.
Letter from Detloff.
I was so happy to procure this important artifact of Art Lawton's. There are so many more details about this that if interested you can locate on the internet.
-- Mike Kaligordis
As a Hayward boy, I grew up believing Art Lawton was the devil. All I heard from the boys at Pastika's and other tackle shops was how they absolutely knew that Lawton's record was a fraud; apparently they were right! This does obscure the fact that Art Lawton was an incredibly talented musky angler. These are neat pieces of musky fishing history, and many thanks to Mike for sharing it with us!
-- Dr. Todd
Several years ago I got a call from a woman living in Clarksville, N.Y., a small rural town about 10 miles South of Albany. She and her husband Paul grew up on the same farm road as Art Lawton. Art was a proficient "Musky Hunter" from the 1930s - 1960s. His prey were often subject of his prowess on the St. Lawrence River, near Clayton, NY.
His wife Ruth most always accompanied him on his outings, fishing their secret areas and applying his shielded techniques. In one article I read about him it says "the wooden diving lures, specifically the Creek Chub Pikie Minnows, were their favorites. Lawton was very much into color patterns, emphasizing the use of different colors depending on water clarity."
He probably painted the above lure to suit the conditions he was fishing at that time. I wonder where all the rest of his tackle ended up!
Art once held the world record Musky title for a 69 pound 15 oz. (64 1/2") catch in 1957. In the October/November 1992 Musky Hunter Magazine historical editor, John Dettloff's article, summarizing his research which overturned Art's record, appeared. In addition to the bait, copies of photos and the magazine, I was fortunate to also get the original letter John Dettloff wrote to the neighbor (requesting photos and information).
I was so happy to procure this important artifact of Art Lawton's. There are so many more details about this that if interested you can locate on the internet.
-- Mike Kaligordis
As a Hayward boy, I grew up believing Art Lawton was the devil. All I heard from the boys at Pastika's and other tackle shops was how they absolutely knew that Lawton's record was a fraud; apparently they were right! This does obscure the fact that Art Lawton was an incredibly talented musky angler. These are neat pieces of musky fishing history, and many thanks to Mike for sharing it with us!
-- Dr. Todd
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
News of the Week: 15 February 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!
A profile of Colorado rod maker Alan Kube…the AMFF an Catskill Museum hosted special gatherings this last weekend…LSU professor makes a new soft bait…Green Bay Packer Clay Matthews takes up ice fishing…first sea bass caught of Catalina this year…Bassmaster Classic begins…thieves target high end fly rods…do you want to be a fly fishing guide?…remembering Cape Breton fly tier Alan MacLean…the background on the Mickey Finn…it must be THE NEWS OF THE WEEK!
The Big Lead: A profile of bamboo fly rod maker Alan Kube .
The American Museum of Fly Fishing hosted a series of talks on Vermonters …while the Catskill Museum is home to a Fly Tying expo .
LSU professor helps create new soft bait.
Fly Rod & Reel applauds the EPA decision to study Bristol Bay .
The Batte on Bago fishing tournament will attract Super Bowl champion Clay Matthews.
The first sea bass of the season has been caught off Catalina .
The Pacific Northwest Sportsman's Show rolls into the Portland Expo center .
The Super Bowl of bass fishing starts next week .
When in Rome, go to the Trout Expo .
Thieves have targeted high end fly rods in Boulder.
So you want to be a Fly Fishing Guide ?
Remembering Cape Breton's noted fly angler and fly tier Allan MacLean .
Finishing with a Flourish: John Merwin notes the mysterious long life span of the Mickey Finn .
-- Dr. Todd
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Fishing Valentine: A Photographic History (Part II)
The Fishing Valentine: A Photographic History (Part II)
The Fishing News of the Week will run tomorrow (Tuesday).
As we stated last year in our Ode to the Fishing Valentine , Valentine's Day started as a Victorian British tradition but began to take off in America around the end of the nineteenth century.
During the early part of the last century, the tradition of bringing Valentines to school to give to classmates began. Most of us fondly remember toting a brown paper bag full of Valentines to distribute in class.
One of the traditional themes of the Valentine's Day card was fishing. Based on original Victorian designs which often showed Cupid fishing for hearts, by the 1920s it had morphed into one of the most common motifs. What follows are 12 representative valentines from the 1890s to the 1970s.
Believe it or not, Fishing-themed Valentines are quite collectable. I was able to purchase a number of these for $2-$5 each, but some of them -- especially those showing actual tackle like a rod, reel, or lure -- can bring twice as much. And of course, the older ones and the colorful ones tend to be more valuable, as long as they are in good shape.
Go ahead and print out a fishing-themed Valentine to share with your sweetheart! They will thank you for it!
Of course, if you really want a Fishing Valentine, you could do worse that a classic 1970s Valentine fly reel!
So Happy Valentines day to everyone out there!
-- Dr. Todd
The Fishing News of the Week will run tomorrow (Tuesday).
As we stated last year in our Ode to the Fishing Valentine , Valentine's Day started as a Victorian British tradition but began to take off in America around the end of the nineteenth century.
During the early part of the last century, the tradition of bringing Valentines to school to give to classmates began. Most of us fondly remember toting a brown paper bag full of Valentines to distribute in class.
One of the traditional themes of the Valentine's Day card was fishing. Based on original Victorian designs which often showed Cupid fishing for hearts, by the 1920s it had morphed into one of the most common motifs. What follows are 12 representative valentines from the 1890s to the 1970s.
Believe it or not, Fishing-themed Valentines are quite collectable. I was able to purchase a number of these for $2-$5 each, but some of them -- especially those showing actual tackle like a rod, reel, or lure -- can bring twice as much. And of course, the older ones and the colorful ones tend to be more valuable, as long as they are in good shape.
Go ahead and print out a fishing-themed Valentine to share with your sweetheart! They will thank you for it!
Of course, if you really want a Fishing Valentine, you could do worse that a classic 1970s Valentine fly reel!
So Happy Valentines day to everyone out there!
-- Dr. Todd
Sunday, February 13, 2011
1000 Words
1000 Words
Over the next month, we'll feature some stunning photos from Jack Seedhouse from British Columbia, Canada. These photos come from the Charlotte Archipelago, and feature a combination of fishing and wildlife. They are incredible, and we'll feature two per episode. Thanks Jack!
-- Dr. Todd
Over the next month, we'll feature some stunning photos from Jack Seedhouse from British Columbia, Canada. These photos come from the Charlotte Archipelago, and feature a combination of fishing and wildlife. They are incredible, and we'll feature two per episode. Thanks Jack!
-- Dr. Todd
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Deconstructing Old Ads: The Dazzler Bass Fly (1918)
The Dazzler Bass Fly
While looking through the pages of the May 1918 issue of Field & Stream I noticed this prominent ad for the “Dazzler Bass fly”. Though I've done some fly rod fishing for bass, old flys have never held my interest the way old wooden baits do. What stopped me in my tracks was the name of the manufacturer, Paul W. Gallaher.
I have always collected pre-1960 bass fishing books and the name Gallaaher immediately rang a bell. It is not a name I run into very often and it is the name of the author of a classic book on bass fishing. If I were to make a list of my ten favorite bass fishing books, ones I've read over and over through the years, Black Bass Lore by Wallace W. Gallaher (1937) would be on the list. He spent a large portion of the book on the subject fishing for bass with the fly rod. More importantly he was a great story teller and had some extremely funny ones to tell.
Have you noticed that current books on angling are dominated by trout fishing books? Authors of these trout books are often good story tellers and they concentrate on people, places and their interesting experiences while angling. Most bass fishing books today are strictly “how to” books that are about as interesting as the instructions on how to assemble a new gas grill. There are a few notable exceptions.
When I open my copy of Black Bass Lore, I see the signature of the author Wallace W. Gallaher. Immediately below that is the signature of his son who illustrated the book, Paul W. Gallaher.
-- Bill Sonnett
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Friday Funhouse
The Video of the Week
This is an exceptional video of fly fishing for bass.
12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them
This Illingworth #1 is the illest reel around .
Next time someone says a glass fly rod isn't worth anything, tell them to check this Scott out .
Creek Chub Weed Bugs look just like…bugs, actually.
A 16/0 Ocean City is a huge saltwater reel.
This 1910 Shakespeare wood box and rotary head is a sweet combo.
This is a nifty old pike mount .
Heddon Surfusser , surfuss away…
Wow. You NEVER see this Joe Pepper box come up for sale.
Not to make this National Heddon Week, but wow, this baby bass Big Hedd has skyrocketed.
Ah, the Bug-n-Bass . Always a hit in uncatalogued colors.
This is a super cool Punkie in the box .
I love these Pflueger Hawkeye fly reels .
The Stadler Merit is a pivoting reel and WEIRD.
As always, have a great and safe weekend, and be good to each other, and yourself.
-- Dr. Todd
This is an exceptional video of fly fishing for bass.
12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them
This Illingworth #1 is the illest reel around .
Next time someone says a glass fly rod isn't worth anything, tell them to check this Scott out .
Creek Chub Weed Bugs look just like…bugs, actually.
A 16/0 Ocean City is a huge saltwater reel.
This 1910 Shakespeare wood box and rotary head is a sweet combo.
This is a nifty old pike mount .
Heddon Surfusser , surfuss away…
Wow. You NEVER see this Joe Pepper box come up for sale.
Not to make this National Heddon Week, but wow, this baby bass Big Hedd has skyrocketed.
Ah, the Bug-n-Bass . Always a hit in uncatalogued colors.
This is a super cool Punkie in the box .
I love these Pflueger Hawkeye fly reels .
The Stadler Merit is a pivoting reel and WEIRD.
As always, have a great and safe weekend, and be good to each other, and yourself.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Field & Stream's Vintage Tackle Contest #1
Field & Stream's Vintage Tackle Contest #1
The first edition of Joe Cermele's Field & Stream Vintage Tackle Contest is up, and the winner has a fantastic Pflueger Mumford tin. Read about it on the Field & Stream blog.
-- Dr. Todd
The first edition of Joe Cermele's Field & Stream Vintage Tackle Contest is up, and the winner has a fantastic Pflueger Mumford tin. Read about it on the Field & Stream blog.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday Review: The January 2011 FATC Newsletter
Thursday Review: The January 2011 FATC Newsletter
I'm always excited to get a copy of the FATC Newsletter, the official publication of the Florida Antique Tackle Collectors. While it might seem to some that the focus of the FATC might be too narrow, I have always found that Florida seems to have attracted so many different kinds of tackle makers that no matter what your collecting interest, you'll find something to like in every issue.
Take the most recent January 2011 edition. Some changes have occurred under new editor Gary Simpson, and they should be popular ones. Starting with this issue, there are now two regular columnists--Johnny "The Bagley Fanatic" Garland and Dick "That Zebco Guy" Braun. How exciting to be able to hear from these gentleman three times per year! I have often recommended the NFLCC Gazette hire regular columnists, so it's nice to see this idea get traction.
The articles themselves were, not surprisingly, interesting and diverse. "Earl Robinson Perfects His Baits" by our friend Joe Yates is another great article about this Florida legend. Ed Weston's nifty "The Florida Surprise Minnow" is a great piece as well, and Mike Mais' "Murphy Kelly--Kelly Hand Made Lures" introduced me to this fascinating lure carver. Editor Gary Simpson's "Fishy Patchwork" was a neat look at tackle clothing patches. Finally, Paul Snider offered up tips on how to drum up leads in his "Want Tackle Leads? Go to the Fair."
Our new columnists did not disappoint. Johnny Garland profiled the Bagley Salty Dog, and Dick Braun gave us a bit of Zebco history as they enter a fourth generation.
The FATC Newsletter is published three times per year, and is edited by Gary Simpson. Information on joining the FATC, including back copies of the Newsletter, are available by Clicking Here.
As a note for those attending the great Daytona International Tackle show in two weeks, stop on by the Whitefish Press table and say hello!
-- Dr. Todd
I'm always excited to get a copy of the FATC Newsletter, the official publication of the Florida Antique Tackle Collectors. While it might seem to some that the focus of the FATC might be too narrow, I have always found that Florida seems to have attracted so many different kinds of tackle makers that no matter what your collecting interest, you'll find something to like in every issue.
Take the most recent January 2011 edition. Some changes have occurred under new editor Gary Simpson, and they should be popular ones. Starting with this issue, there are now two regular columnists--Johnny "The Bagley Fanatic" Garland and Dick "That Zebco Guy" Braun. How exciting to be able to hear from these gentleman three times per year! I have often recommended the NFLCC Gazette hire regular columnists, so it's nice to see this idea get traction.
The articles themselves were, not surprisingly, interesting and diverse. "Earl Robinson Perfects His Baits" by our friend Joe Yates is another great article about this Florida legend. Ed Weston's nifty "The Florida Surprise Minnow" is a great piece as well, and Mike Mais' "Murphy Kelly--Kelly Hand Made Lures" introduced me to this fascinating lure carver. Editor Gary Simpson's "Fishy Patchwork" was a neat look at tackle clothing patches. Finally, Paul Snider offered up tips on how to drum up leads in his "Want Tackle Leads? Go to the Fair."
Our new columnists did not disappoint. Johnny Garland profiled the Bagley Salty Dog, and Dick Braun gave us a bit of Zebco history as they enter a fourth generation.
The FATC Newsletter is published three times per year, and is edited by Gary Simpson. Information on joining the FATC, including back copies of the Newsletter, are available by Clicking Here.
As a note for those attending the great Daytona International Tackle show in two weeks, stop on by the Whitefish Press table and say hello!
-- Dr. Todd
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Roosevelt's Fishery Legacy - This Day in History
Craig Springer, the editor of the outstanding Eddies Magazine, sent me a blurb worth repeating today. It's a special anniversary! The 140th anniversary of the Fish & Wildlife Service.
Robert Roosevelt was a prodigious writer and ardent outdoorsman. This uncle to the future conservationist-president, Teddy Roosevelt, authored such books as Game Birds of the North and Superior Fishing; or The Striped Bass, Trout, Black Bass and Bluefish of the Northern States. Both were published in the 1860s at a time when he served on the New York State Fishery Commission -- a commission that he created.
Roosevelt's most lasting written work was a Congressional resolution that he penned during his single term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He wrote the resolution that created the U.S. Fish Commission, which later became the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and today's Fisheries Program.
The resolution became effective 140 years ago today, Feb. 9, 1871, and you can read it here at the Library of Congress.
-- Craig Springer (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Robert Roosevelt was a prodigious writer and ardent outdoorsman. This uncle to the future conservationist-president, Teddy Roosevelt, authored such books as Game Birds of the North and Superior Fishing; or The Striped Bass, Trout, Black Bass and Bluefish of the Northern States. Both were published in the 1860s at a time when he served on the New York State Fishery Commission -- a commission that he created.
Roosevelt's most lasting written work was a Congressional resolution that he penned during his single term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He wrote the resolution that created the U.S. Fish Commission, which later became the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and today's Fisheries Program.
The resolution became effective 140 years ago today, Feb. 9, 1871, and you can read it here at the Library of Congress.
-- Craig Springer (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
The Vintage Fishing Tackle on American Pickers
The Vintage Fishing Tackle on American Pickers
The popular History Channel show American Pickers in a recent episode profiled vintage tackle from a dealer in Kentucky. As I live on the Kentucky border, I laughed when they ran subtitles for the Kentuckian, as if he was speaking a foreign language. Well, maybe to West Coasters he was…
Anyway, what follows is a series of screen captures and descriptions of the tackle they showed. While they did not purchase any fishing tackle (unlike Pawn Stars the week before) it was fun nonetheless.
First teaser shot--tackle boxes! I always loved those Plano 777s like the one in the bottom left.
I can't tell you how many "piles" of rods like this I've seen before. Maybe there is something of value in it, but who can tell?
Holy…well, I've seen a pile of rods like the previous shot, but not many massive piles like this! That is a helluva lot of rods. Look mostly fiberglass but of course there may be a 7' Ed Payne bamboo fly rod in there. We can wish, can't we?
Wondered what happened to the reels? Wonder no more. Spinning reels, spincast reels, baitcaster, this guy has everything.
He seems to have a predilection for Ambassadeur casting reels. Looks like a pile of 5000 and 6000 and at least one High Speed version. Nice reels.
Time for a snack I guess. I know I'd be lightheaded by now.
Especially when those snacks are Ambassadeur casting reels. Looks like an ABU 1750A in the middle.
Also looks like a green ABU 5000 as well. Nice reels even if not in the best shape.
Didn't get much on lures, but did get to see the Mermaid lure.
This Heddon Punkinseed 9630 is a cute lure.
A lure tree, looks like a Heddon Sonic, a Bomber, a CCBC Pikie, an L&S, a Heddon plastic Meadow Mouse, an Eddie Pope Hot Shot.
A tackle box filled with reel parts.
A Hurd Supercaster.
Although they didn't buy any tackle, it's still really cool that they featured so much fishing tackle over such a long segment. Lots of the tackle shown seemed in dire need of either repair or cleaning, but that is half of the fun. And before you laugh at the giant pile of rods, keep in mind that I guarantee you in those piles are True Temper Dynamic hollow steel rods worth $75-$100, early glass casting rods which have been on the rise in price, and perhaps even some nice bamboo. Looks like a fun place; anyone know where it is??? Since it is in Kentucky, it's not far from me, but I'm also about 99% sure my Commonwealth friend John Caldwell has been through it with a fine tooth comb...
One thing's for certain, vintage tackle is on the rise, folks!
The History Channel and the show hosts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz do a great job on American Pickers and you can view current episodes on their Web Site.
And if you ever see vintage fishing tackle on TV, drop me a note!
-- Dr. Todd
The popular History Channel show American Pickers in a recent episode profiled vintage tackle from a dealer in Kentucky. As I live on the Kentucky border, I laughed when they ran subtitles for the Kentuckian, as if he was speaking a foreign language. Well, maybe to West Coasters he was…
Anyway, what follows is a series of screen captures and descriptions of the tackle they showed. While they did not purchase any fishing tackle (unlike Pawn Stars the week before) it was fun nonetheless.
Although they didn't buy any tackle, it's still really cool that they featured so much fishing tackle over such a long segment. Lots of the tackle shown seemed in dire need of either repair or cleaning, but that is half of the fun. And before you laugh at the giant pile of rods, keep in mind that I guarantee you in those piles are True Temper Dynamic hollow steel rods worth $75-$100, early glass casting rods which have been on the rise in price, and perhaps even some nice bamboo. Looks like a fun place; anyone know where it is??? Since it is in Kentucky, it's not far from me, but I'm also about 99% sure my Commonwealth friend John Caldwell has been through it with a fine tooth comb...
One thing's for certain, vintage tackle is on the rise, folks!
The History Channel and the show hosts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz do a great job on American Pickers and you can view current episodes on their Web Site.
And if you ever see vintage fishing tackle on TV, drop me a note!
-- Dr. Todd
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)