The Fishing Advertisement: The Defender Watch (1945)

When this advertisement for Defender Watches came out in the middle of 1945, America was still involved in World War II. American business, however, had its eyes on the post-war era, with the millions of G.I.s ready to be decommissioned and brought home with a war's worth of pay in their bank accounts.

Defender Watches was one of the companies that sought to jump start their business, offering this waterproof wrist watch and using the fishing theme to help sell the watch with the military name. It's a neat ad that promises much; alas, Defender Watches seemed to have disappeared by 1949. Still, this is a cool ad.



-- Dr. Todd

Hooked on Paper with Michael Koller: Canadian Border or Canada Crossing or Fishing Trip or ?

Canadian Border or Canada Crossing or Fishing Trip or ?

If you have ever been fortunate enough to go fishing in Canada there is a good chance you crossed the border going in to Canada by car. It is an exciting part of a long trip. There is a formality to the crossing itself. You are asked a number of questions and have no idea if the ordeal is going to take minutes or up to hours pulled over on the side.

Each year I have crossed at the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge. The bridge is a privately owned toll bridge connecting the towns of Fort Frances, Ontario and International Falls, Minnesota. This road and rail bridge is jointly owned by the Boise Inc. and Abitibi Consolidate, which operate paper mills.

The bridge carries both road and rail traffic. Take a look at some older postcards of both the American side and the Canadian side of this crossing. Collecting even a few of these postcards can remind you of some of your favorite fishing trips. I hope these postcards bring back some of your memories.

-- Michael Koller

In The News: The Fishing Post Card

Close readers of the blog realize we are big fans of the fishing post card here. Michael Koller, in his Hooked on Paper column, has written on the subject twice, first on Regular Fishing Post Cards and then on Real Picture Post Cards.

I was reminded of this when I came across British writer Calvin Daniels in the Yorkton This Week paper who has produced his own two part history of Fishing Post Cards, which you can read by clicking here and clicking here.

It's an interesting read and worth going through if you have the time. As a simple search on eBay for "Fishing Post Card" reveals 12,000+ hits, they must have been very popular over the years.







-- Dr. Todd

1000 Words: Virginia Bruce

This week in Hollywood Goes Fishing we feature another classic actress, Virginia Bruce (1910-1982). A native Minnesotan, she got her start in 1930 and her big break in 1932 with the MGM movie Downstairs, pictured below. During filming, actor John Gilbert (handing the fishing tackle over to her) and Virginia Bruce fell in love and got married. This scene also features Olga Baclanova, pictured on the left. Alas, Bruce and Gilbert divorced after two years, and she continued working throughout the 1940s and 1950s, although less frequently with time.



-- Dr. Todd

The Art of the Lures with Elissa Ruddick

What an ingenious invention Henry J. Welch had with his “Welch and Graves Protected Live Fish Bait” glass minnow tube. I mean, what could be better to fish with than the real thing? And to make it worth a fisherman’s money back in 1893, it was advertised as “One minnow lasts a day.”



Patented by Welch on January 3, 1893, the idea was that a fisherman could save money, time and hassle, by using the same minnow all day long. Evidently neither Welch nor Calvin V. Graves, who manufactured the lures, gave much thought about the minnow they so beautifully illustrated on the paper labels (6 BAIT), that adorned the bottom of the wooden boxes. The glass tubes came fully equipped with a leader line, swivel, three hooks and the cork to hold the minnow inside. The fisherman simply needed to provide one minnow. br>
Now put yourself in the minnow’s shoes, or should I say, GLASS PRISON! “Protected” live fish bait, “protected” live fish bait? What minnow in their right mind would want to be “protected?” Just think about being placed in a glass container, being cast out into the water, then being scared out of your wits every time a fish comes near, much less being swallowed up by one, then later by another, then by another and another! (I can hear the music from the movie Jaws playing.) It was every minnow’s nightmare I’m sure! Gosh, where the heck was P.E.T.A. back in 1893?! Yeah, I wish they were in the same place now as well …

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

-- Elissa Ruddick

The Video of the Week

A nice video on Charles Alma Baker from the IGFA.



12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them

This Heddon 700 Musky bait is really great.



People seem to love these Fish Ohio pins.



A Heddon Spin Diver in the box is really great.



I like this Pflueger 610B in the box.



Who wouldn't go nuts for this Pflueger American spinner?



A 1947 Mitchell half bail in the box will always cause a commotion.



An engraved Shakespeare Criterion is doing just fine.



This Ocean City Panama 12/0 is great.



A White Scale CCBC Injured Minnow is a cool lure.



This Tarp Oreno prototype for Luhr Jensen is pretty cool.



This is an interesting Bagley lure.



This 5' bamboo Montague Stone Harbor boat rod is great.



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

-- Dr. Todd

The Fishing Advertisement: 1960 Tenite

Tenite was one of the more popular plastics of the mid-20th century, used in any number of fishing lures ranging from the Rinehart Jinx to lures made by Millsite. Originating in 1932, it was hugely popular with commercial manufacturers of household items, but by 1960, when this ad was published, Tenite was on the way out. In an effort to stem the bleeding, the Tenite manufacturer in America (Eastman) began to advertise widely. This ad showed some of the lures still being made at that time, but within a decade Tenite had disappeared. The ad is a pretty one, though.



-- Dr. Todd

Voices from the Past: The Huffman Saddle (Baby) 1909

The following blurb was published in the October 1909 Field & Stream magazine. It is a description of one of the many new devices intended to help avoid backlashing reels, in this case the Huffman Saddle. But that's not why this is interesting; take a look at the image.

What's the deal with the baby? Seriously. Why would they have put a baby's head behind the reel? What image is this supposed to bring to mine? It just defies logic.



The copy read:

Something of especial interest to anglers is here illustrated -- the Huffman attachment for reels, manufactured by H.G. Huffman, 100 Federal Street, Youngstown, Ohio. Its uses are threefold: it is a reel and rod support, a finger-hook, and a positive reel lock. Moreover, it greatly facilitates laying the line out smoothly in reeling, and it is therefore a decided help in bait-casting, doing away with the tiresome gripping to hold the rod in proper position. In such work the hand tires before the arm, and that which should be sport becomes weariness. Though the fishing season is waning, another year should find us prepared, and it is therefore advisable to know something of this device. Write the makers for circulars.

Later in the issue, as was so often the case, there was also a Huffman ad, reproduced below:



-- Dr. Todd

Happy 7th Birthday to Fishing for History!

This past March 26th, we passed another milestone here at Fishing for History. It is now been seven years since the blog was founded, and 2500+ posts and more than a million words later, we are still chugging along, albeit a bit slower than in years past. The numbers are still good and having passed a million unique visitors a couple of years ago, we are closing in on some new milestones.



As I wrote for the fifth birthday of the blog, "I wish I had time to develop all the ideas I have for the blog, but alas, I struggle to find the time to do what I am doing right now. But I will try to keep it as fresh as I can." I still agree with this statement. I have many, many ideas for new and cool things, but time gets in the way. Hopefully I'll be able to incorporate them all before too long.

I am most proud of the fact that I went over four years without missing a post. That means creating content every single day, 365 days a year, non-stop for four years. I recently stopped trying to do that, and now get about six in a week most weeks, but even the big guy needed a regular day of rest …

The last year has seen some changes; Bill Sonnett retired from his "Deconstructing Old Ads" column after over three years at the helm, and I retired the "News of the Week" column a couple of months ago as news aggregators do a much more efficient job of finding stories about tackle

As we enter Year 8, I must give my sincere thanks to everyone who has written for the blog over the course of the past seven years. From Bill Sonnett and Jim Jordan to Elissa Ruddick and Dick Streater and everyone in between, we've been blessed with some of the brightest minds in the tackle field here. I hope to post more content from readers over the course of time in an effort to expand this roster of great minds.

Thanks to everyone who's stopped by in the past, and here's looking forward to a successful future!

-- Dr. Todd

In the News: Flea Markets and Fishing Tackle

Ah yes, the flea market! With the snow finally melting everywhere but Duluth, Minnesota, we are entering that season -- that favorite season -- of the flea market.

Like this one in New York state, there are always interesting tackle finds to make at flea markets across the country. I got a call last year about a collector finding a tackle box with marked spinners and spoons that could not date newer than the 1860s; there were at least thirty of them, and they were bought for a rather small sum considering everything.



Not all fishing tackle is as easy to find as the vendor above, with the neat display of Tangos and Punkinseeds. No, flea markets are definitely hit or miss, but they reward the diligent. Take the last flea market I went to in the fall of 2013. It was spottily attended as it was late in the year and the weather was dodgy. However, I spent a good deal of time looking carefully through tables full of junk, until I found a box of beat up tackle underneath one of the vendor's tables. I ended up with five reels for a solid price, including the Julius vom Hofe first model B-Ocean below (still in need of cleaning) and the German Silver Thos. E. Wilson Shakespeare trade reel, which cleaned up beautifully, below that.





So now that flea market season is upon us, hit the road and get to a few! You never know what you might find. One day I'll relate my greatest field find, which took place at a flea market …

-- Dr. Todd

The Art of the Lure with Elissa Ruddick: The Heddon Meadow Mouse

I never thought I’d ever hear myself say this, but … I LIKE MICE!  That’s right, you heard me, I like mice.  Not all mice of course, but who wouldn’t love this little fellow?  Appearing as one of the “New Ones!” in the 1929 Heddon Catalog, the 4000 series Meadow-Mouse was sure to be a big hit.  The catalog described them as such, “At last, a 'Mouse' that is a Mouse!  A 'true-to-nature Bait, even to bead-eyes, and flexible ears and tail.  Floats, and swims with lively, teasing motion.  Three natural colors, Brown, the true Field Mouse; Grey with White belly; and White with Red coloration.” 


These little wooden lures were 2-3/4” long, weighed 2/3 oz., packed one in a box and were listed as costing $1.00 each.  Furthermore, the catalog advertised them to be “A sure hooker under all conditions.” “Floats, Dives, Swims”


Ok, I’m not going to lie.  If I ever saw a real mouse floating, diving, swimming, or doing anything else in the water, I’d scream and probably hurt myself trying to get as far away as possible!






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

The Friday Funhouse

The Video of the Week


This kayak angler gets taken on a long trip by a big hammerhead shark.






12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them


A Miller's Reversible in the box is pretty cool.





Gotta love this Intro CCBC Pikie!





This is a pretty rare Musky Jitterbug.





My vote for the oddest bait ever made--the Shakespeare Revolution.





I love this big ol' Punkinseed.





A solid black Heddon 7500 Vamp is a-ok.





Heddon Artistic Minnows are gorgeous, but the lure below is a Shakespeare look-alike.





A cool Streamline rod-and-reel combo.





Lots of collectors waiting on this Winchester Lake Tahoe Spoon Bait box.





Colorado Floating Moths are just too fun.





Always buy tackle books -- they appreciate with time (Martin Keane's book was 7.95 new)!





Love this original Fred Young Big O!





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


-- Dr. Todd

Ben Wright's Spinning Reel Report: March 2014

MARCH 2014

ARCTIC COLD WITH MORE BLIZZARDS, STILL WAITING FOR SPRING BUT WITH MARCH
MADNESS ON THE BAY

WHAT WAS HOT ??

Abu:
cardinals---
3 first version exc+ @403.34
33 re-pro nib @ 147.50
33CDL re-pro nib @ 593.65
55 SS clear plastic side plates  exc- @225.00
  "   "      "        "           "        "     exc+ @416.00
C4X special edition green/cream nib @ 202.86
more Abu----
odd 333? dapple gray w/yellow side plate odd sticker decal exc @ 239.61
333 red/black exc- @ 393.45
444 5th version nib @ 157.00
rare abu record 500 paint wear @ 398.27
999 3 speed exc- @ 357.80

Airex:
Aristocrat ewb @ 30.98
Larchmont cat 312 ewb @ 105.48
          "             no 3 exc- @ 81.00
Standard e-wb @ 51.00

Alcedo micron Deluxe exc- @ 163.05

Dam Quick:
1001 ewb @ 167.50
3002 ewb @ 106.75

English J W Young Ambidex mk 6 e-wb @ 128.43

Ercoa 3000 cf electric battery/charger ??? @ 142.50

French:
Centaue carbie green needs bail spring @ 146.00
       "  Pacific  exc- @ 85.00
Croizix rust/paint wear @ 99.00
martin surf-o-matic by Luxor exc @ 82.09
Ru Mer Super exc- @ 79.99

German Silent e-wb @ 145.17 wow

Johnson:
Princess cf (not pink)  e-wb @ 127.50
sure-spin 640 exc- @ 53.25

Mitchell:
common garcia 300 nib @ 75.00
     Japanese copies:
Crown Deluxe e+wb @ 103.17
Jorgensen mainliner e+wb @ 139.50

Ocean City 350 yellow exc- @ 87.00

Penn:
704 first version nib @ 344.99 why?
722 e+wb @ 127.99

Shakespeare:
1770 cf exc @ 46.00

Sweden cast-elite cf ewb @ 237.97

Zebco:
55 cf ewb @ 64.00
Cardinal 3 3rd version nib @ 322.07

WHAT WAS NOT HOT--------------

Alcedo mircon early second version ewb @57.00

Airex:
2 spinsters second version and a mk lV both exc- @ 17.50
FB 417 spinster exc+  @ 24.95

Au. early Alvey sidecaster w/bakelite spool,brass trim exc @ 22.77

Daiwa:
mini-cast w/rod & case exc @ 14.50

Great Lakes early whirlaway ewb @ 43.99

Langley spinator 870 e+wb @ 27.99

Mitchell:
(300) with yellow garcia sticker exc @ 14.50
A bunch of 300's re-paints with bright colors and some even with cut  glass
on the body and spools. prices ranged from 25.00 to 50.00 with no bids yet
most are re-listed come on you mitchell fans  !!!!????

Penn 706 ewb @ 112.50

Shakespeare:
2064 exc @ 29.11
2068 exc- @ 24.992091 ewb @26.00

last was an odd ball, sure looked old but home made no markings ??exc @
136.86

sure hope spring gets here soon

Ben

The American Snell Part VII: Buhl & Sons' Guardian Brand

The Buhl Brothers were legendary figures in Detroit's long and interesting history. The founders of Buhl & Dacharme in 1855, the company became a titan in the wholesale hardware word. It eventually became koan as Buhl, Sons & Co. in 1880, and was located after 1925 in the art deco Buhl Building in downtown Detrot.

The firm sold a ton of fishing tackle, the majority under two different names -- Wolverine and Guardian. You can find a lot of tackle from this firm, ranging from Shur Strike lures in Guardian Boxes to Wolverine brand line spools.



1918 Buhl Catalog trade minnows.



1930 Buhl Catalog Heddon rods.

Snells from Buhl are tough to find, and even harder to find in good condition. Below is a snell I picked up recently; note it is missing the bottom part. I own a half dozen of these snells, and every single one has fallen apart due to enormously acidic paper. Very few other snell packets I own have this problem to this degree. Maybe Buhl got a batch of bad paper in their orders. I only own one complete Guardian snell packet.



They are fun to add to a collection of Michigan or Shur Strike lures. To learn more about Buhl, Sons & Co., see my article "Algonacs and Tashmoos: The Reels of Buhl Sons Co. of Detroit" in the September 2009 Reel News.
-- Dr. Todd