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Thursday Review: The Bud Snyder Collection

Three weeks from tomorrow the collection of the late William R. "Bud" Snyder will go to gavel by Houghton Auctions of Zumbrota, Minnesota.

I knew Bud Snyder a little back in the day--few collector in Minnesota during the 1980s and 1990s did not cross paths with Bud back then. He was a colorful character, that's for sure, and its probably best to leave it at that. No sense in getting in to the problems that caused his falling out with the NFLCC.

Another thing is certain--Bud owned a lot of fishing tackle. A LOT of tackle. I suspect that this auction, with 1000+ lots, is only what's left of Bud's collection. But what there is exemplary of the old school method of collecting, which is probably best called "accumulating."

Much of the tackle was made into a massive display of tackle that Bud had on display.



Fortunately, auctioneer Todd Houghton has put up photos of the 1000+ lots (although a few aren't very clear) and opened the bidding to the internet through ProxyBid service. There's a lot of junk to wade through, befitting an accumulator's collection, of course, but there is also some really nice pieces and an occasional diamond. It's well worth checking out.

Whatever else might be said, there is one truism: Bud Snyder loved old fishing tackle, and his collection is a testament to that singular fact.

You can view large scale photos of the auction items at Houghton's web site, or go directly to the auction catalog by clicking here.

-- Dr. Todd

My Fishing Heroes: The Great John Betts

My Fishing Heroes: The Great John Betts

I have decided to start an occasional series of profiles on men and women I greatly admire in the fishing world. I can think of no one more perfect to kick of this new series than the great John Betts.

My friend Michael Hackney has developed a close relationship with this legendary figure. For those who don't know who John Betts is, well…you really need to do your homework. You can begin by reading this profile of Betts by Robert H. Boyle published in 1981 in Sports Illustrated.

Betts is amazing for many reasons, but for me, he has always been the model of the inquisitive mind. He is always asking questions--the probing, intelligent kind of questions that are the product of a fertile mind that reads broadly and with vigor. A great historian in his own right, his career has been about never accepting what is taught as gospel, but instead seeking to find the new, the improved, the novel. Whether this is utilizing synthetic techniques in fly tying (which he pioneered with his classic work Synthetic Flies in 1980) or developing new theories on wooden rod design (Making Strip-Built Fly Rods from Various Woods on a Lathe), John is always pushing forward--cognizant and respectful of the past, but never wed to it and never tethered down by the ghosts of waters long passed under the bridge.


Photo from Charlie Meyers profile of Betts in the Denver Post

Take Betts' 2011 work--Reels and Making Them (with Michael Hackney). It was published by the Reel Lines Press in association with The Whitefish Press, and it is one of the most fascinating books on the subject ever written. While I may never build a reel to the precision John has, I am enthralled reading about the process, and the theory that went into it. It is insight into a brilliant mind, as well as entertaining and historical.



Some of John's incredible hand made reels.

Synthetic flies, strip built wood rods, hand made reels -- what do these all have in common? Betts teaches and inspires the angler to build for themselves. He is constantly reminding us, through his work and legacy, that stolen moments on the lake or stream are more rewarding and even more fruitful when the angler fishes with tools they have created with their own hands. It's truly inspiring.

His latest book is a collection of 100 book plates he drew that have been collected into a charming little book called Remarques. It is vintage Betts, who is a world class artist in addition to all of his other attributes. It's charming and lively, much like John himself.


It is my understanding that Betts has a number of other books in the works, and I for one cannot wait. After eight decades his mind is as fresh as anyone when it comes to the world of fishing and its tools.

He is one of a handful of authors I can guarantee will have a wider audience in 50 years than his already large readership today. As time marches on, people begin to catch up with where John was five, ten, even twenty years ago.

I can't wait to see what John Betts comes up with next. Whatever it might be, you can bet it will be years ahead of its time--just like John Betts.

-- Dr. Todd

Voices from the Past: Ed Zern (1958)

Ed Zern was always my favorite of the "back-page" outdoor magazine writers. Of all the angling humorists I always got the feeling he understood the fishermen better than the others. And, of course, he could be devastatingly funny (see To Hell With Fishing). But he was also clever, as was the case with the following story called "Uncle Milo and the Monster Trout." This particular story had an interesting history. It was the only Zern story to be run twice (consecutively). Published first in the April 1958 The Fisherman magazine, the editor botched the ending--leaving the all-important tag off, rendering the story pointless. Inundated by frustrated and confused readers, Zern's story was run in full form the following month. It is reprinted here with editorial mea culpa. Note that not long after this, Ed Zern switched over to Field & Stream. Whether the editorial gaffe had anything to do with it is not known, but it could not have helped.

-- Dr. Todd

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since the appearance of the March issue of The FISHERMAN and Ed Zern's story "Uncle Milo and the Monster Trout," many readers have written to ask a rather pointed question: "Has Zern lost his mind?" They have been curious as to the strange lack of point in the story. Something, they felt, was missing. They were quite correct. And what was missing was surely not Mr. Zern's mind which is still as intact as it can be under the circumstances. What was missing, simply, was that portion of the story upon which the entire point was hinged. It was dropped in one of those maddening moments when, in making space for something else, an editorial pencil slipped and neatly excised the wrong thing. Because The FISHERMAN feels that "Uncle Milo and the Monster Trout" (with its full point intact) is one of the most hauntingly fine fishing stories ever written, it is repeated herewith--in its entirety. Anyone who read the original will be vastly relieved and rewarded by reading the full version. Anyone who did not read the first one, has a treat corning now.

UNCLE MILO and the MONSTER TROUT

by Ed Zern

Last May my Uncle Milo died--of a coronary thrombosis, the doctor said. He was found dead in his study, where he'd been making an entry in his fishing diary. I was sorry to hear about it, because although I never knew him very well I had liked him; then it occurred to me that he had owned several really fine trout fly rods and some other tackle, and I wondered what would become of the stuff. So I wrote to my Aunt Lila, Milo's widow, saying I'd like to buy the Payne and the Thomas rods and some other odds and ends, and suggested a very fair price.

I didn't think I'd get the rods, because in his home town of Connell's Forks, Pennsylvania, Uncle Milo was a well-known fisherman, and had many close friends among local sportsmen there; some of them would be sure to get the best of his tackle. I was right about the rods, but Aunt Lila did send me a salmon reel I'd put in a bid for and a couple of boxes of standard-pattern salmon flies. She also sent me Milo's fishing diary, saying it might be of interest to me since I was a writer and since she had tried to read it and had been unable to make head or tail of it. It was a large, battered notebook with entries dating back to the middle Twenties. I browsed through it a few pages at a time all through this past winter, and found that most of the entries were too cryptic to be of much interest--"Tried Connell's Branch with Tom G. No luck," "Took limit before noon above CCC Camp," Rained all day. Four trout on cahill, one on bucktail"--that sort of thing.

Between the dates of May, 1952, and the last entry there were six or seven references to a large brown trout reputed to live in the lower end of the "Wagon Pool" in Smith's Creek; it had been christened "Herbert" by Uncle Milo or some of his cronies. Since Smith's Creek annually produces at least four or five brown trout of five pounds or better, and occasionally a verified seven-pounder, any fish that rated a nickname must have been quite a trout. The final entry in the journal was the longest in the entire volume, and I quote it here in toto:

Saturday, May 11, 1957. Delivered the table to Mrs. Haskauer and went direct from there to Walker's Bridge, left station wagon back of store and started fishing at first bend. Had a leadwing coachman for dropper and picked up five small trout on it before I got to Tent Rock, but except for one chub nothing touched the tail fly, a Hare's Ear No. 8, same fly on which took three-pound rainbow opening day. Met Dave Sneeder at Tommer's Brook Pool, he had no fish but said some were rising at lower end of fast run below RR bridge, wouldn't take Quill Gordon although feeding on naturals. Ate lunch on bench at Boy Scout Camp and watched water but saw only chub rises. After lunch walked across meadow and followed path along river to Henderson Run Pool where I lost the big brown last week. fished both sides of pool but took only two small trout.

About 3 P.M. walked on down along creek to Wagon Pool. sat beside upper end of pool watching small chubs taking a few natural March Browns. Joined by city fellow in new waders and fancy tackle but pleasant, eager to learn. Said he owed great debt to fishing, didn't say what kind, probably health. Had three dandy trout in creel. biggest about nineteen inch. said he'd taken all on dry fly he designed and ties himself, calls it Fallen Angel. Something like Hendrickson but body more sulphur- colored. Asked me about big trout. Told him all local gossip about Herbert and various people who have hooked and lost him. Said I'd sell my soul just to latch onto Herbert for ten minutes.

After city fellow went on upstream, saw small trout rise nicely to March Brown so switched to dry fly, dressed my line and fished dry but no luck. Worked on down through Wagon Pool, ten-inch chub took fly just above boulder at head of fast water and ran down into riffle. Then something took chub. Felt tremendous weight and power when tried to reel chub in, then line stripped off reel in screaming run across riffle and up into main pool again. Knew it was Herbert when he ran
back upstream. Held rod high and walked upstream above boulder, waded out into channel far as possible to try to keep him from going downstream into fast water again.

Kept pressure on him as much as possible with 3X gut but he was sulky, finally when arm almost paralyzed holding rod high, tapped butt to stir him up. Monster took off, came down around boulder and into fast water. never even slowed up when he came to the end of backing. Pop! Reeled in feeling sick, decided to call it quits. maybe give up fishing altogether. On way back to station wagon met city fellow again, told him I'd hooked Herbert. More than ten minutes, wasn't it, he said. It surely was, I said. Fine. he said, laughing. I'll be around at midnight to collect. Collect what, I said. You. he said, that was the deal wasn't it. I'm not in any mood for jokes, I said, and he said sorry, no offense but a deals a deal, midnight sharp. I went on up to the car.

Thinking about it just now, got to wondering about city fellow. Where from? Strange accent. Can't understand how anyone could see how upset I was by loss of big trout and make feeble jokes about "collating." But it is now exactly five minutes after midnight so my slight nervousness about stranger was unwarranted.

Just occurred to me I set watch ahead five minutes this morning so must be exactly midni

* * * * *

Aunt Lila found Uncle Milo the next morning, with his fountain pen still in his hand. I'm glad he hooked Herbert before he died, but I wish I'd got that Thomas rod.

THE END

News of the Week: 14 May 2012

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!

New Rapala exhibit at the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame...Minnesota was ready for opener...fish for a million in Pennsylvania...tackling trout in North Carolina...Ted Takasaki likes Lake Erie...fly fishing for Musky...fishing Valhalla...confessions of a female angler...IT MUST BE THE NEWS OF THE WEEK!

The Big Lead: The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame has a new Rapala exhibit.



Minnesota was ready for walleye opener.


Fish for a million in Pennsylvania.


Walleye pro Ted Takasaki thinks Lake Erie is the best fishery in the midwest.


How to tackle trout in North Carolina.

Fly Red and tarpon.


All in on fly fishing for muskie.

Fly fishing Valhalla.



Finishing with a Flourish: Confessions of a fisherwoman.

-- Dr. Todd

1000 Words: Fishing Tackle on TV

1000 Words: Fishing Tackle on TV

As the television networks finalize their fall schedules by renewing or canceling the various series (hooray for Parks & Rec, 30 Rock, and Community getting pick ups), people have begun trying to forget some of the shows already consigned to the great scrap heap of tv history.

Are You There, Chelsea is just one of those shows. I can't explain why this show was so mediocre, except that it was painfully unfunny, which is sort of a bad thing if you're goal is to make people laugh.

Why am I bringing this up? Because it was one of the few TV shows in recent memories on prime time to feature fishing and tackle, albeit in the service of a devastatingly unoriginal and slightly homophobic plot line. I won't bore you with the plot details of Episode 6 (The Gynecologist), but I will give you some screen caps of this show's use of tackle.


Laura Prepon (Chelsea) has the difference between a "Spinner" and a "Spreader" explained to her.

Dr. Hunky shows off his tuna rod.

Chelsea delivers trite gynecologist joke while 1950s Ocean City reel looms behind her (looks like a Mitchell 300 on the rod above it, too).

Rod bends (leading to horrible series of homophobic jokes).

Can't imagine why this show didn't get picked up. Anyway, we capture for posterity Hollywood's continuing effort to use fishing and tackle as a prop, even in soon-to-be-forgotten shows like this.

-- Dr. Todd

Deconstructing Old Ads: The South Bend Nip-I-Diddee (1949)

Nip-i-What?
 
One of the first lures I bought as a 13 year-old was a South Bend “Nip-i-Didee” on the advice of the owner at the local Firestone Store-- yes they sold fishing tackle and a line of hardware items as well as tires in those days. It also helped that my barber had recently returned from Lake-of-the-Woods where he landed a 24 pound pike on a Nip-i-Didee using an early Zebco reel. I was assured that it was a good lure by both of these gentlemen despite the odd name and simple appearance. Mine was white with the red arrow-shaped head and up-turned double hooks. I was not into surface fishing at that age and seldom used the bait and really don't remember every catching a fish on it. One day we were fishing a local limestone quarry which was as clear as a swimming pool and held large, notoriously hard-to-catch Bass. I was satisfying my fishing urge like many boys at the time catching stunted bluegills one after another. I decided to try my Nip-i-Didee but had no idea how it was suppose to be worked. I cast it out and was immediately distracted by my buddy who was having some difficulty that called for my help. I laid my rod down and went to his aid. After helping him for several minutes, I glanced back at my floating plug just as an enormous explosion took place and I saw my Nip-i-Didee fly two feet into the air. That was my first and last hit on that bait as I lost it the following year. The incident remains clear in my mind 55 years later. I was on my way to eventually becoming a top-water man!

The following ad comes from the May 1949 issue of Sports Afield. Most reference books list the Nip-i-Didee as being introduced in 1948 but try as I might I cannot find an ad for it in that year. Most 1948 South Bend Ads feature the Surf-Oreno which is replaced in those ads by the Nip-i-Didee in 1949. I have yet to see an ad that specifically features only the Nip-i-Didee. I think this was another one of those cases where the Company had no idea how successful this lure would be. By 1952 a quarter ounce spinning size, the "Spin-a-Didee," as well as the 3/8 oz. "Wee-Nipee" were introduced. It was obviously a very successful lure.


I used to wonder where a name like “Nip-a-Didee” could possibly come from. I now have a theory (which I cannot prove) as to where the name originated. In 1991 Dave Culp wrote a fine article in the NFLCC Gazette on the history of a Nappanee, Indiana bait known as a “Nappanee” or “Nappanee Ypsi.” This bait was manufactured for the inventor by several companies during its almost 50 year lifespan. From approximately 1925 until world War II it was manufactured by the South Bend Bait Co. The South Bend version of the Nappanee is almost indistinguishable from the later South Bend Nip-i-Didee. So South Bend is making this bait for someone else that is selling well and has a good reputation among fishermen. Why not make the same bait under the South Bend label? All that is needed a name that sounds something like “Nappanee”. I think you can figure it out from there.



-- Bill Sonnett

The Friday Funhouse

The Friday Funhouse

Video of the Week

A wonderful vintage video of 1940s Montauk fishing tackle shop memories. Pretty awesome stuff...



12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them

The Rolls Royce of spinning reels -- the Australian Seamartin.


Wow, this Moonlight single hook Pikaroon has really attracted a lot of attention!


This Heddon Vamp is in a cool color!


Who wouldn't want a Woods Expert in a wooden box?


ABU fans have fallen in love with this Ambassadeur 5000.


E&R saltwater baits are always in demand.


Well, it's about time we had another nice Chippewa on the Funhouse!


Phillipson made some great glass rods, but they also made some classic cane, too.


I have always loved these Al Foss Easy Control baitcasting reels.


Hello Winchester fans…you missed out on this Winchester slide a month ago, now you'll get a second chance it.


This patrioticBagley Bang O Lure will always attract a good price.



This may be one of the best tournament casting reels I've seen all year -- a Talbot Stanley made by Richardson.



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

-- Dr. Todd

Thursday Review: Fly-Fishing: The Sacred Art--Casting a Fly as a Spiritual Practice

Thursday Review: Fly-Fishing: The Sacred Art--Casting a Fly as a Spiritual Practice

A very special book on fishing has just been published--but I'll warn you. It's about more than fishing. It's about the Bigger Things.

Now I know you probably have seen a hundred purported texts about the Bigger Things, but I don't think you've come across one like this before. It's called Fly-Fishing: The Sacred Art--Casting a Fly as a Spiritual Practice and it is written by Rabbi Erik Eisenkramer and Rev. Michael Attas (Skylight Press, 2012) and it is wonderful.


Many of you will know Rabbi Eisenkramer from his brilliant blog The Fly Fishing Rabbi. Dr. Attas is a cardiologist, an Episcopal priest, and dedicated fly angler. Both men are hugely qualified to write not only about fly fishing, but about life.

Many of us treat fly fishing like a religion. Rabbi Eisenkramer and Rev. Attas reveal to us in this wonderfully written and inspirational epistle that fly fishing is not a religion, but it can -- if approached the right way -- bring us closer to each other, nature, and God. On every page, we are reminded that fishing is not just about catching fish; instead, it is the journey that matters and the fish, and the waters they inhabit, are simultaneously our inspiration and our guides. Thoughtful and articulate throughout, a careful read of this exceptional book will make you a better fly angler, but more importantly, it will make you a better person.

I don't want to spoil the impact of the story but I will end this brief review by saying that every fly angler--whether agnostic or dedicated from a religious standpoint--will benefit in some way from this lovely little book.

The book is available from Amazon.com and directly from the publisher Skylight Paths. This softcover book lists at $16.99 and is 140 pages in length.

-- Dr. Todd

Ben Wright's Spinning Reel Report (April 2012)

APRIL 2012
 
MONTH ENDS WITH COOL WEATHER WITH MORE COOL REELS ON THE BAY !!!
 
Featured reel:
The best spinning reel ever made by Shakespeare ----
A Sport Wonder model 2068 exc+ w/pouch sold @
only $32.87 !!!
 
Abu:
Garcia 505 SCF NIB @ 218.50
same as above         @ 266.78 wow
rare abu Record 500 exc- @ 423.00 RNM
cardinal 33 re-issue repro @ 262.91
 
Dam Quick:
3000 NIB @ 190.00
330 e-wb @ 126.49
 
English:
Illingworth no 3 finish wear @ 249.80
Hardy Exalta mk 11 e-wb @ 241.76
Hardy Altex no 2 mk 111 e-wb @ 229.99
Felton Crosswind no 2 e-w/case @ 133.90
 
Heddon:
222R NIB @ 65.00 wow
222 e+wb @ 12.50
290 NOB @ 100.99 wow
 
French:
Luxor mer sauman ewb @ 78.00
Ru Pacific ewb @ 49.99
 
Italian:
Cargem mignon 33 NIB @ 316.95 holy cow
Zangi 3V first version exc- @ 460.95
Alcedo micron Deluxe exc- @ 330.00
Orvis 50A FB exc+ @ 266.00
Orvis 100 second version NIB @ 128.59
 
Mitchell:
508 Dual w/rod both exc- @ 437.67
308A ewb @ 142.50
308 NIB @ 285.00
408 NIB @ 231.50
330 Quartz Gold NIB @ 460.28
 
Shakespeare:
2200 ewb @ 75.00 wow
2052 second version nib @ 90.76
 
Penn:
712 ewb @ 155.00 wow
704 second version like new @ 133.50
 
Others:
Usland 500 exc- @ 142.75
Fin nor no 3 excw/zipper case @ 355.00
Bache Brown Luxor  USA model A3 w/worn box @ 151.00
Pflueger supreme 550 exc+ @ 201.00
American Classic lV exc- @ 219.00
and a Great Lakes Whirlaway imperial NO ROD
e+wb @ 178.51
 
Please note that due to some series health issues my ebay reports will be a bit shorter for a while.
Ben

Voices from the Past: Obediah Bluebottle (1879)

The following description of the laziest man on earth comes from the Bluebottle Papers: One of the Family, which is a humorous description of the author Bolivar Bluebottle's (obviously a pseudonym) cousin Obediah Bluebottle. It was first published in the Carthage Republican on May 13, 1879. I know a few folks like Obediah…

Not content with this he concluded to get up a patent of his own, and make money without working.

Obediah dearly loved work, but he was not on intimate terms with it.

He could rest all the time, and never get tired or complain.

Still, if he had anything to do he was always willing and energetic to have it done by somebody else.

His first invention was an improved fishing-rod, so arranged that it would dress the fish as well as pull them but.

It had an attachment to do all the swearing when the fish wouldn't bite.

This saved the fisherman a good stock of profanity to fling at his friends who asked him on his way borne, "Where is all your fish?"

But it didn't sell well, for as soon as it got a little out of order it would go roaming about the house swearing like a pirate, no matter bow many ministers were there to dinner.

-- Dr. Todd

News of the Week: 07 May 2012

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!

1st Annual ORCA/Fishing for History Historical Fishing Contest rules…Jack Looney is getting famous…Quincy is a fishing town…Sean Gavin on homemade flies…a Gig Harbor fly shop…the art of fly fishing…fly anglers come full circle…family wants dad's stolen tackle returned…tackle and sushi…arena bass fishing…$1 million fish…Vermont has some serious fishing history…a great review of A Fly Rod in My Sea Bag…it must be THE NEWS OF THE WEEK!

The Big Lead: The 1st Annual ORCA/Fishing for History Historical Fishing Contest has now published its rules!

Speaking of which, Jack Looney's bass is making a big splash, making the pages of The Chicago Tribune.

Quincy is in the running for the ultimate fishing town.

Sean Gavin on homemade flies.

A Gig Harbor fly shop is spreading the good news.


Spencer Hatton appreciates the art of fly fishing.

While Kenneth Kieser goes full circle on the same subject.


Family wants dad's stolen tackle returned.

Get some fishing tackle with your sushi.


Arena bass fishing may just be the next big thing.


$1 million fish is roaming Oregon reservoirs.


Shimano profits soar in the first quarter of 2012.

Rods, reels and locations for big catfish!

Austrian angler blasts British Columbia over its silly weekend fishing regulations.

The new rod curse.

Vermont's fishing lore hooks visitors.

Finishing with a Flourish: A great review of the book A Fly Rod In My Sea Bag.



-- Dr. Todd

THE FIRST ANNUAL FISHING FOR HISTORY/ORCA HISTORICAL FISHING CONTEST

THE FIRST ANNUAL FISHING FOR HISTORY/ORCA HISTORICAL FISHING CONTEST

======================

Welcome to the 1st Annual Fishing for History/ORCA Historical Fishing Contest! We love vintage fishing tackle, so we have decided to encourage the use of old fishing rods, reels, and lures through an open fishing contest (all kinds of game fish eligible). Hopefully, the more people who use old tackle the more people will appreciate it and help us in our continuing mission to preserve it. As there a number of different styles of fishing, we have decided to offer a number of vintage divisions. The divisions, and a tentative list of rules, are as follows:

DIVISIONS:

BAITCASTING CATEGORY: A rod, reel and lure manufactured before 1945.

-- Rod: Steel, wood, or bamboo.
-- Reel: Any reel introduced before 1945 (it can be manufactured after 1945 only if its general design was not changed in any specific way).
-- Line: Braided silk or nylon only (no monofilament).
-- Lures: Wood, metal, or plastic lures manufactured BEFORE 1945.

SPINNING CATEGORY: A rod, reel and lure manufactured before 1960.

-- Rod: Steel, Bamboo, or Fiberglass made BEFORE 1960.
-- Reel: Pre-1960 spinning reels ONLY.
-- Line: Monofilament lines (no modern composite lines).
-- Lures: Any lures manufactured before 1960.

SPINCASTING CATEGORY: A rod, reel and lure manufactured before 1960.

-- Rod: Steel, Bamboo, or Fiberglass made BEFORE 1960.
-- Reel: Pre-1960 spincasting reels ONLY.
-- Line: Monofilament lines (no modern composite lines).
-- Lures: Any lures manufactured before 1960.

BAMBOO FLY FISHING CATEGORY: A rod, reel and fly manufactured before 1940.

-- Rod: Bamboo fly rod made BEFORE 1940.
-- Reel: Fly reel made BEFORE 1940.
-- Line: Silk or Nylon Fly line manufactured BEFORE 1960
-- Flies: Vintage fly or fly rod lure manufactured before 1940.

FIBERGLASS FLY FISHING CATEGORY: A rod, reel and fly manufactured before 1940.

-- Rod: Fiberglass fly rod made BEFORE 1965.
-- Reel: Fly reel made BEFORE 1965.
-- Line: Silk or Nylon Fly line manufactured BEFORE 1965
-- Flies: Vintage fly or fly rod lure manufactured before 1965.

SALTWATER SURFCASTING/TROLLING CATEGORY: A rod, reel and fly manufactured before 1930.

-- Rod: Steel, wood or bamboo rod made before 1930
-- Reel: Reel manufactured before 1930.
-- Line: Braided silk or nylon only (no monofilament).
-- Lures: Lure manufactured before 1930 (live bait acceptable in this category).

SALTWATER SPINNING CATEGORY: A rod, reel and fly manufactured before 1960.

-- Rod: Steel, Bamboo, or Fiberglass made BEFORE 1960.
-- Reel: Pre-1960 spinning reels ONLY.
-- Line: Monofilament lines (no modern composite lines).
-- Lures: Any lures manufactured before 1960.

SUBMISSIONS:

All submissions must be made to whitefishpress@yahoo.com and should include all the relevant information (place, time of day, tackle used, and length of fish). Submissions must be verified by a photograph which should include the rod, reel, and lure used. We will operate on the honor system, and as Wild Bill Sonnett says, "if you plan to cheat you must be both desperate and dishonest -- take up golf."

The winner will be decided in each category by percentage of length of the current World Record. For example, a 16 inch smallmouth would be 59.25 percent the size of the 27 inch world record, so the score would be 59.25. A 30 inch northern pike would be 50 percent the length of the 60 inch world record, and would thus score a 50.0.

The person with the highest number (percentage) for their game fish in each division will be declared the winner.

The person with the highest number overall in all seven divisions will be the Grand Prize Winner for the year.

Current leaders will be posted on a weekly basis.

SPECIAL PRIZES:

In addition to prizes in the seven categories, there will be three additional categories that can come from all divisions:

Longest Bass

Longest Pike

Longest Trout

OTHER RULES:

This is a catch-and-release tournament. All entries will be expected to be released. All fisherman must adhere to the gamefish laws of their particular state or province. This is an international tournament open to all people. There is no entry fee. You can enter as often as you would like, and in as many categories as you wish, but the number of prizes you can win is limited to two.

DATES:

The tournament will run from January 1st, 2012 through November 15th, 2012.

PRIZES:

Modest prizes will be made to the winners of each division, the special prizes, and the Grand Prize Winner. A list of prizes will emerge over the course of the following months.

Any problems will be adjudicated by the tournament's Jury Panel. Their decisions are final.

Questions/Comments can be directed to Tournament Director Dr. Todd Larson at whitefishpress AT yahoo DOT com.

-- Dr. Todd

Deconstructing Old Ads: The Liv Lure (1947)

The “Live Lure” Epidemic

From the March 1947 issue of Sports Afield comes this ad for the Live Lure. When one starts looking in earnest at old tackle ads, it soon becomes apparent that there is no end to the number of baits over the years that have featured a live minnow inside. The Live lure would be just another one of these if it were not for its somewhat amusing history among lure collectors.


Around 1985 or 1986 some Live Lures in their attractive, open windowed green boxes showed up at a Detroit area lure show. Everyone was impressed with the quality and form of the bait. They quickly sold out at about $25 each. Up until that time no one seemed to have heard of this lure. I was impressed with them as they appeared well made and contained a somewhat unique feature in that there is an elongated magnification lens molded in the inside of the bait that makes the contents look bigger. To illustrate this feature, each new bait came with a small cardboard picture of a fish inside to demonstrate how a live minnow would appear when the Live Lure went fishing. Not long afterward I stopped in an antique mall in Tecumseh, Michigan and there on the shelf were two dozen Live Lures, mint in boxes, stacked like cord wood. The asking price was $9 dollars each. The story quickly got out among collectors that a warehouse in Detroit had been discovered containing an untold number of cases of Live Lures. Soon almost every room at local lure shows had several displayed for sale and the price dropped to $7 and then to $5. Eventually, mint in the box Live Lures could be had for $2 or $3 as folks just did not want to haul them around any more.

Today I seldom see a Live lure at a show.  I notice that when a new collector sees one they are usually as taken by this bait as those of us who were present when it first appeared. Several times I have had someone tell me in hushed tones that they think they have found a valuable old minnow tube and when the tissue paper was carefully unwrapped, I have been shown a Live Lure and told that the new owner got the bait for a mere $35. It is never nice to be the bearer of bad tidings.
 


I have only seen one Live Lure in a tackle box and it showed signs of having been been fished hard. This is one case where the “mint" baits are a lot more common than a “beater.”

LOL

-- Bill Sonnett