Tuesday, January 30, 2018

NEW VINTAGE MAGAZINE! Angling Echoes: A Monthly Collection of Classic & Forgotten Fishing Articles

CLICK HERE to read the first issue, and think about subscribing! 12 issues a year, $.99 an issue!

Angling Echoes is a unique departure in fishing magazines based on a very old idea. There is an ancient Hebrew saying that declares that some people die twice; once when the spirit leaves the body, and then again when their name is said out loud for the last time. This is as true for writings as it is for people. There are millions of words of angling literature that have been allowed to recede from memory and die unnecessary deaths. Angling Echoes collects these classic, obscure, and forgotten writings on fishing from authors ranging from the greatest in their field to anonymous scribes whose names are lost to history. Each issue will contain a long feature article of between 5000-10,000 words, followed by a selection of writings spanning the period from the eighteenth century to the modern era. These writings have been carefully curated both for the content and for their readability and interest. Everything from profiles of famous anglers and tackle makers to classic informative articles to writings that show a passion for the sport of angling will be included. Every fourth issue will be a “themed” issue based on a single author, publisher, or subject matter. So sit back every month and revisit the best and most interesting angling articles of yesteryear. When you read them, take pride that you are helping to rescue the echoes from anglers long gone but thankfully not forgotten.

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Here is a list of articles included in the first issue!

TROUT-FISHING IN THE RANGELEY LAKES (1877)

This exceptionally important 10,000 word essay by Edward Seymour is one of the most important works on nineteenth century fly fishing ever written. It introduced the American reading public to the incredible fishing in Maine. The article is reproduced with the original 24 images.

GUDGEON’S VISIT TO THE FISHING BANKS (1858)

This eight panel cartoon is a humorous depiction of saltwater fishing on a party boat and is one of the earliest depictions of this style of fishing in history.

HOW FISHING-LINES ARE MADE (1880)

This is a very rare description of how fishing lines were made in the 1870s written by a reporter who toured Captain Henry Hall's line works in Highland Mills, New York. It explains in great detail the minute detail on how fishing line was made, from the "line walk" to the braiding of Cuttyhunk line.

FLY FISHING ON LARGE AND SMALL TROUT STREAMS (1897)

This classic article, by American Angler editor William C. Harris, is perhaps this famous editor's most esteemed piece of writing. It is a charming description of how to fly fish streams. A charming piece. Includes both original images.

LADY ANNESLEY, GREAT ANGLER (1898)

This lost profile written by a correspondent to the St. Paul Globe is a great example of the kind of literature that has been lost to history. A charming depiction of this angling British aristocrat, it's a fascinating article that likely introduced the subject to Americans for the first time. Includes an original image.

SEASON OF ICE FISHiNG (1900)

This great article on ice fishing by the famous Emerson Hough -- noted novelist and editor -- gives as good a description of fishing through the ice as you are likely to find. Buried in the lost pages of a Chicago newspaper, it describes both ice fishing and ice spearing as it was conducted at the time. Beautifully written, it's a great example of why Hough was one of the finest outdoor writers of his generation.

THE BIG ONE UNDER THE BRIDGE (1911)

This is not your typical fishing story. Written by the 2nd place prize winner in the 1911 Field & Stream, it's a classic big fish tale and a good one at that. Includes one original image.

ARTIFICIAL MINNOWS (1920)

Dixie Carroll was one of the most popular fishing writers of his era, writing in the vernacular of the people and getting a syndicated fishing column before just about anyone else. This article on artificial minnows was written only two years before his untimely death at the age of just 39. Includes two original images.

THE FATHER OF AMERICAN FISH CULTURE (1917)

This detailed profile of Seth Green, the legendary pisciculturist and angler, comes from the American Angler. It is a great history of this fascinating figure, tracing his career from unlikely origins to his place as the most important figure in fish propagation in American history. Includes four original images.

BLACK BASS CHATS: WHY DO BASS STRIKE AT ARTIFICIAL BAITS? (1920)

This article written by the incomparable Will. H. Dilg -- founder of the Izaak Walton League -- is a great example of the kind of writing that made him beloved by the reading public (and also hated by some of his colleagues). It's a classic piece of black bass literature. Includes original image.

FISHING THE MIKADO’S STREAMS by Shegetaro Morikubo (1921)

A really interesting piece by a forgotten outdoor writer, the Japanese-born American citizen Shegetaro Morikubo. The son of a famous Japanese parliamentarian, he came to America and trained as a chiropractor. He was also a very good fishing writer, and this description of the styles of trout fishing in Japan is unique and fascinating. Includes original image.

THE FROSTFISH AND THE DRY FLY (1921)

This article by the iconoclast Edward T. Whiffen -- poet, playwright, rod maker -- is exemplary of the strange subject matter this forgotten writer regularly tackled. Whiffen describes fly fishing for Adirondack Fly Fish (the Round Whitefish) in clearly the first article of its kind arguing for this as a sport fish. It's a clever and interesting article. Includes two original images.

ON DRY FLIES (1934)

This great article by a 22-year old Larry Koller showed that even early on, he was an outstanding angler and skilled writer. This piece came at the beginning of his career, and shows all the signs that made him a legend among Catskill fly tiers.

THE BIG FISH THAT GOT US AT SOMBRERO LIGHT KEY (1937)

This neat saltwater article was penned by Bill DeWitt, noted tackle maker and owner of Bill DeWitt's Baits, a division of his Shoe Form Company of Auburn, New York. Published in a trade journal, it's an obscure piece that describes well fishing in the Floria Keys. Includes two original images.

LEROY WARD: THE CHAMP! (1948)

A one page artistic pictorial of LeRoy Ward, a teenage ace angler who caught a 750-pound marlin.

Friday, January 26, 2018

The Friday Funhouse


The Video of the Week

If you haven't seen this video of Frank Rybarcyk's Shakespeare collection, you really should.



10 Thing I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them

This Heddon Vamp #7509X is a truly astounding lure.



A Leonard Mills Fly Reel is a classic reel.



A Creek Chub Dealer Box of #502swill make a Creek Chub collector very happy.



Heddon reels like this Chief Do-Wa-Giac have been really hot of late.



This J.A. Coxe Model 15 has been very active.



A signed letter from H.L. Leonard is insanely rare.



The Ocean City Long Key is super rare, especially in the box. It's an underrated reel.



You really don't see many Nifty Minnies around. They are very brittle so a complete example is qiote a treasure indeed.



The South Bend Underwater Minnows are just incredible baits.



Three cheers for this Shakespeare Rotaryhead lure in a wooden slide top box.



Everyone loves the A&I Glowbody but remember, the material inside is poisonous!



I love glass minnow traps and this Orvis in shipping box is incredible.



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

-- Dr. Todd

Friday, January 19, 2018

The Friday Funhouse


The Video of the Week

If you have about 50 minutes you need to watch this beautiful movie by James Prosek, as he retraces the steps of Izaak Walton. Really well done.



10 Thing I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them

This 1930s Wilson fly rod from Oregon is very rare.



Well this Rick Clunn belt buckle is a super cool piece of bass fishing history!



You don't see many glass fly rods reach this high of a level like this Payne Glass.



Of the contemporary makers, is there a classier maker than Jan Cummings?



This Clark Bros. Make-Em-Bite is a classy bait.



This Rhodes Kalamazoo 3-Hook Minnow is amazing.



LOVE this Paw Paw Crippled Minnow, such a pretty bait!



Edward vom Hofe 9/0 Model #621 is a great add to an ocean reel collection.



This is a very nice and early Heddon 150.



You don't see many of these Valentine fly reels around, but they are cool and pretty rare.



This Winchester 9205 is a nice find.



A CCBC Fintail in the box with papers? Hell yeah!



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

-- Dr. Todd

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Sneak Peek At the Upcoming FISHING FOR HISTORY Magazine!




Here’s a sneak peak … of the relaunch of the Fishing for History Magazine! Here’s a look at the contents in this issue (adding more every day). Going live February 15!

Bill Sonnett on Virgil Ward’s First Bait • Matt Lollman on Bert Winnie’s Stump Dodger • Tom DeLong on the Fuerer Bros. #202 Flip Reel • Dixie Carroll on Joe • Dr. John Elder on the First Big Game Cradle Reel • John Etchieson on Abbey & Imbrie’s Earliest Fly Line • Finn Featherfurd on Newspaper Tackle Ads • Michael Hackney on the World’s First 3D Printed Spinning Reel • Dr. Todd E.A. Larson on Part One of a Corporate History of James Heddon, 1950-1984 • Tom Jacomet on the Roller Flasher Bait • Matt Lollman on Mosquito Dope • Classic Outdoor Writing: W. Wallace Ham • Kevin Virden on Part One of the the Inner History of the Fred Arbogast Company • Emil Polansky on the Fred Nichols Lure Company • and Much More!



-- Dr. Todd

Friday, January 12, 2018

The Friday Funhouse for January 12, 2018


NOTE: Guess what? I’M BACK BABY! Yes, I’ve got time to restart the Friday Funhouse and the blog again. It’s been some time but I’m happy to be back in the swing of things. I’m partnering with my man Matt Lollman over at Fin and Flame so check back for some cool happenings in 2018!

The Video of the Week

I’m a sucker for Hemingway. Not only was he a great writer, his love of fishing knew no bounds. For those who haven’t, pick up a copy of The Old Man and the Sea. You won’t be disappointed!



12 Things I Would Buy If Only I Could Afford Them

This Julius vom Hofe Perforated Fly Reel is incredibly rare, even missing an end cap. How rare? One in the box went for 25k in a past Lang’s Auction!



You have got to love this Manitou Minnow.



Pflueger Atlapacs in the carrying case are super fun reels.



This CCBC Striper Pikie in Blue Head is very rare.



When’s the last time you’ve seen a Union Hardware reel get this much interest???



Instant Collection Alert: Storm Wiggle Warts from the pre-Rapala era. Remind me to tell you about Rapala’s purchase of Storm some time!



Spears are always fun collectively and this Brainerd, MN made Lewis Gaustas model is pretty great. …



An early Heddon Zaragossa in the box is a great classic bait.



Been busy laying out an Al Foss book so this cardboard Little Egypt intro box was good to see. Predates his tin boxes.



This Penn Model 420 Spinster is a reel with a fascinating history — made in Japan, and rejected by Penn. It was never sold commercially.



Any W.D.Chapman Spinner is a nice find.



The Salties out there love these Devonshire Surf Plugs.!



And it feels good to say once again, have a good weekend, and be good to each other and yourself.

— Dr. Todd