NFLCC Nationals Reconsidered (Again)

There has been some more debate about the NFLCC Nationals -- which I was unable to attend -- and I thought I'd repost some information and editorializing we did on the subject last year for further edification. It seems almost everyone recognizes what is wrong; it also seems that little is being done to deal with the subject. Don't believe me? Download and read the proposals below and ask what has been implemented, and why.
Last week we had a vigorous and honest discussion about the state of the NFLCC Nationals. In the interest of preserving, and furthering, this discussion, I have excerpted the many posts from Joe's Board as well as anonymously editing some of the many emails sent to me on the subject matter.

I hope the powers that be -- and anyone interested in the future of our hobby and the NFLCC -- will take time to read and comment on this, and offer up a solution.

If someone could email this note to the appropriate NFLCC authorities, I would appreciate it. I would like the people in a position to make decisions to have this information at their disposal. They can then do with it as they please.

To download the 36 page document in PDF form, please Click Here

My thanks to everyone who kept this dialogue civil and interesting.

-- Dr. Todd

NFLCC Nationals Reconsidered: A Recap

Last week we had a vigorous and honest discussion about the state of the NFLCC Nationals. In the interest of preserving, and furthering, this discussion, I have excerpted the many posts from Joe's Board as well as anonymously editing some of the many emails sent to me on the subject matter.

I hope the powers that be -- and anyone interested in the future of our hobby and the NFLCC -- will take time to read and comment on this, and offer up a solution.

If someone could email this note to the appropriate NFLCC authorities, I would appreciate it. I would like the people in a position to make decisions to have this information at their disposal. They can then do with it as they please.

To download the 36 page document in PDF form, please Click Here

My thanks to everyone who kept this dialogue civil and interesting.

-- Dr. Todd

EDITORIAL: Rethinking the NFLCC Nationals

EDITORIAL: Rethinking the NFLCC Nationals

First of all, let me say that the Fort Wayne Nationals was as well-run and organized as any National show I have ever attended. Massive thanks go out to Dave Saalfrank and all of the show organizers and volunteers. It was awesome and I really enjoyed all aspects of the show. I am really looking forward to returning to Fort Wayne.

What I think needs to be addressed has nothing to do with the amazing show put on by the volunteers like Dave and his team, or the fine folks in Kansas City next year.

What needs to be rethought is the NFLCC National Show itself.

I began thinking about this on Friday afternoon at exactly 2:30 p.m. while sitting on the show floor. I was at my table when a brand new NFLCC member stopped by to buy a book. After brief introductions, I asked him what he thought of his first Nationals. His response?

"I thought they said this was the biggest show of them all? Where are all the people? And why do half of the tables have sheets over them?"

I had no answer for him. At 2:30 on Friday afternoon--with the show floor open until 7:00 that evening--there were less than 100 people on the entire show floor. A show floor with 500 sold tables...

Contrast that with Thursday at the same time, when there were far more people and the aisles were crowded from one end to the other.

Then contrast that with Saturday, when almost everyone had pulled up stakes (including myself) and vacated the floor by noon, despite the show being open until five p.m.

The question you have to ask is: WHY?

The answer is complex, but includes a confluence of reasons: exhaustion from room trading, conflicts with the tackle seminars, people picking up and leaving for other shows, etc.

All I know is that if you arrive at the Nationals after Thursday, you are not really seeing the NFLCC in all its glory.

And that is a damn shame.

So how can we fix this?

I don't have all the answers, but I would like to offer what I think is a solution. It has been arrived at after much discussion with other collectors, and after a talk with outgoing NFLCC president Byron Parker, who offered very valid and cogent criticism. I appreciate very much his input.

So here's what I think is wrong with the NFLCC Nationals: it's long since outlived being a three day show.

I believe the NFLCC nationals would be far better served moving to a Friday-Saturday two day show. Let me explain.

If the NFLCC Show moved to Friday-Saturday 8:00-6:00, I believe we would not have the absences we normally see on Friday afternoon (Saturday being universally seen as a "dead" day).

What about Thursday, you might ask. Would we lose the bargaining power with hotels/convention centers by ditching a day?

How about we rearrange the Nationals in this way.

1) Move the Members Meeting (and Executive Board meeting) to Thursday morning/early afternoon, to be followed DIRECTLY by the seminars. I attended the great seminar by Warren Platt and Bill Sonnett on fishing antique tackle, and afterwards had a dozen people say they would have gone BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE THEIR TABLES.

2) Move the Auction to Saturday Evening after the show ends. This as much as anything would encourage the NFLCC members to stay Saturday night, as well as potentially bring in more auction items. (By the way congrats to Brent Vonderheide and his team on a great auction, it was amazing to watch and raised nearly $50,000).

So to recap, I believe these changes would make for a much stronger floor show. It would:

-- encourage members to stay on the floor both days, as it would have a lot of traffic (from different groups) on both Friday and Saturday.

-- encourage members who have to work during the week to attend Friday afternoon/evening, as they would still have all day Saturday on the floor and the auction to look forward to…

-- it would make Thursday night the granddaddy of all room trading evenings, and one in which most members who book a three-day weekend could attend.

-- it would free up members to attend the seminars without fear of leaving their tables unattended.

-- It would turn the NFLCC auction into THE EVENT of the weekend, and encourage everyone to stick around Saturday for the duration of the show as they would stay for the auction.

-- Allow break down beginning an hour before closing on Saturday, and allow enough time so that people who have tables can still make the auction.

I would love to hear opinions, both pro and con, on this plan. Frankly, I think it would work a ton better than what we already have, with half-empty shows after lunch on Friday and all day Saturday.

Your turn…

-- Dr. Todd

Overheard At Fort Wayne

Overheard in the hallways of the Fort Wayne Hilton:

-- "It's just not the same without Dick Streater" (Moose missed only his second Nationals since they began)

-- "You know that Creek Chub you thought about buying in Room XXX? The one with the crisp box? Well, I couldn't help myself. I bought it." (This was followed by a crestfallen look)

-- "I can't stand Bagleys." (Uttered by a guy with a room full of overpriced Heddons)

-- "Did you see this [Bagley] DB3 I got on the fifth floor?" (Collector A excitedly to Collectors B,C, & D in the hallway outside my room)

-- "He won't put that kind of money into something unless it shows a tiny bit of honest wear." (Seller A explaining to Seller B why a particular heavy hitter walked away from a screaming mint bait)

-- "I haven't seen a tough Millsite for sale in any of the rooms."

-- "Room #XXX has the best free food." (Collector A to Collector B, comparing the freebies)

-- "I asked the guy how much the lure was. He immediately launched into a story about it. Did you ever notice that any time a story precedes the price, you can't afford the bait?"

-- "I never go into a room if all I can see from the hallway are a pair of feet propped up on the bed."

-- "I remember a time when I thought $50 for a lure would be the end of tackle collecting."

-- Dr. Todd

Off To Fort Wayne!

I am off today for another NFLCC Nationals, in Fort Wayne, Indiana...

Look for some special updates over the next few days! Trust me, you'll want to stay tuned!

-- Dr. Todd

OFF TO NFLCC NATIONALS!

Stop on by and see us at the Whitefish Press booth! Meet authors Tom Jacomet (Heddon River Runt book) and Steve Lumpkin (Illinois River Minnow) on Thursday, and Brent Vonderheide (Glass Minnow Traps) at eleven on Friday!

I'll try and do some live blogging from Louisville. See you there!

-- Dr. Todd

NFLCC Nationals, Part II

NFLCC Nationals, Part II

The Nationals is as much about the displays as it is about anything else. I truly admire those who haul their fishing tackle, many times across multiple states, and all in the name of education and fun. Here are just a few of the great tackle exhibits, beginning with the young adult category winner Nicholas Comjean. (Thanks again to Steve Lumpkin for the pics).


Nick's great poem that accompanied his exhibit.


Nick's great fishing pics.


His display of Bagleys in the awesome Pistachio color.


A great exhibit of trolley sinkers.


The famed "Frog Pond" from the right.


From the left.


Close up of the "Frog Pond."


An unbelievable CCBC Plunker Display.


Musky Jitterbug display.


A fitting tribute to Tennessee tackle.


Another shot.


Lures made in Knoxville, Tennessee.


Too cool for words.

Tomorrow: Final Thoughts.

-- Dr. Todd

NFLCC Nationals, Part I

NFLCC Nationals, Part I

This was an odd Nationals for me, as it went by in a complete blur. This happens when you launch not one, not two, but THREE new books in three days.

Unfortunately, my summer class began on Wednesday night and lasted until nearly 10:00 p.m. This meant that I had to get up at 3:30 a.m. to drive down to Knoxville if I wanted to be there when the show opened at 10:00. Sure enough, a lot of caffeine and slick driving later (with an assist to my GPS), I arrived around 8:30. My buddy Steve Lumpkin (who we must thank for these pics, as my camera went AWOL) helped wheel over some books he took down. Still, it took about an hour to set up for the much-anticipated launch of Johnny Garland's Bagley Book. After a frantic scramble of putting book plates in the Hardcover Limited Editions, we launched the book to great excitement at noon. It was a bit crazy. All day Thursday the Whitefish Press table was hopping; when it ended, I was exhausted. A very fun dinner with Ed Pritchard, Phil Beguhl, and Tim O'Brien and I was back to the room where Lumpkin and myself -- both exhausted -- compared notes for the day.


A customer looks through the new releases at the Whitefish Press table.

Friday saw the launch of another book, Rick Osterholt's Shur Strike Minnows. Like Thursday, the table was buzzing and it was busy most of the day. Still, I got to venture out for the first time on to the show floor. It was great commiserating with Arlan Carter, Joe Nelson, Bill Kingsley, Tom Jacomet, and many other friends. Since my camera was gone, Steve took pictures.


Two of my best friends: Jim Garrett and Skipper Brooks, crossing off one of their many wants.


Getting books ready at the Whitefish Press table.


Rick Osterholt signs a book for Joe Hilko.


A shot of the show floor--almost overwhelming!


Roger Schulz watches over the ORCA table.


Johnny Garland discusses Bagleys with some interested parties.


Don Ludy with a table full of goodies.


Joe Stagnitti discusses lures with Jerry Soetee and another collector.


Joe Yates talks Florida lures.


Joe Nelson and his box restoration service.


Dave Erickson watches over his treasures.


Steve Knight with his amazing McHarg collection.

Tomorrow: DISPLAYS!

-- Dr. Todd

NFLCC Nationals 2009 (Part III)

NFLCC Nationals 2009 (Part III)

One of the best parts of the NFLCC Nationals is showing off your finds, so today, I'll go over what I got at the Louisville Nationals 2009.


Here are a pair of fluted spinners for my collection, including a William Mills #6 (left) and an E.O. Pealer (right).


A nice piece for the fluted collection is this Original Musky Bait Assembly Kit from the 1970s. A nice piece from Central Wisconsin!


One of the nicest pieces I added came from the Jeff Kieny collection--the Treman, King & Co. White Hat Spinner on the card.


The plastic line spool collection got some new pieces; Top Row--Diplomat, Mono-FIshlon, and Van Camp; Bottom Row--Gibraltar and Ted Williams.


The wood trade line spool collection got nine new pieces. Top Row--Iver Johnson Sporting Goods, A&F, and VL&A; Middle Row--Kresge, True Value, and Shapleigh Diamond; Bottom Row--Thos. E. Wilson and 10,000 Lakes.


This awesome Kelley-How-Thomson line spool from Duluth, MN was a gift from my great friend John Etchieson.


This is the only reel I got at the Nationals, but it was a honey--an Our Veribest Montague German Silver reel sold by VIM Co. of Chicago.


A nice selection of items for the hook collection; Paul H. Young hook envelope on left, Nostealum on Green Card, Glen Evans, and Edgar Sealey Hook Box (gift of Harvey Musselman); Mustad hook box (gift of Phil Beguhl) and an awesome Mustad Key Hook box (gift of Phil Beguhl).


This Shumann's Water Cricket is super cool, because of the NEwman-Stern sticker on the back. Thanks to Doug Carpenter for this one!


A trio of metal, Empire CIty, Hendryx, and unmarked Chapman.


A great Pflueger American spinner marked Akron O.


The neatest thing I got at Nationals was this set of four fluted blades that came from the Pepper estate. These were gifted to me by my friend Jack Gallagher, who is one of the nicest guys I've ever met.


Not much shaking on the snell front, but I did get a Chicago snell I needed (top) and a Catch All from the Vermillion Spinner Co. in Ohio.


NFLCC Nationals is all about friends. Here I am with my buddies Jim Garrett and Skip Brooks.

Thanks to everyone for making 2009 NFLCC Nationals such a great time. I really enjoyed myself and look forward to the next one!

-- Dr. Todd

NFLCC Nationals 2009 (Part II)

NFLCC Nationals 2009 (Part II)

Yesterday was about the sights and sounds of the NFLCC Nationals; today, it's about the tackle. In particular, it's about the displays. Permit me a brief editorial here.

I am in awe of many people's collections. But in particular, I was utterly blown away by how many NFLCC members are willing to bring their tackle literally thousands of miles, in some cases, just so the rest of us can have great tackle to look at. I never knew how difficult it was to set these up until I helped my friend Steve Lumpkin set up his Millsite display. It took us several hours of heavy lifting to get the displays out of his house, into the truck, out of the truck, on to the floor, and then set up. Then repeat, only backwards, on Saturday. All the while hoping you won't damage one of your precious pieces.

So as an entire club, we owe a massive thank you to EVERYONE who took the time to bring a display for us to view. From the single-case display to the ones that took up a dozen tables, I cannot express to you all how much I respect each and every one of you for educating the masses with your hard work. Now, everyone in unison, let's all say it together:

Thank you.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU!!!

Give 'em a call, send 'em an email, buy 'em a beer. But for God's sake, take a minute out of your day and tell someone "I loved your display, and I really want to thank you for lugging it across the state/country so I could see it."

OK, on to some of the displays that caught my eye. Server space limitations mean that I can only cover some of them, so I'll miss some and for that I apologize. Every display deserves to be viewed. These are the ones I was able to photograph, along with other interesting items people brought by for me to see.


We all know I love reels; John Caldwell was kind enough to lug his box of Montagues down to Louisville so I could photograph them. Here's a great Jarvis Special.


Fellow trade reel collector Bill H. brought this great Montague Ultra Trout reel, made for Shapleigh Hardware, by the table.


David Evanko's great early Fred Young BIG O was a real beauty.


Gloria Thompson always comes up with neat hooks; this is no exception.


The award for the neatest piece of terminal tackle I saw at the show goes to this incredible 1880s Niagara Chugging Rig owned by Layton Pozza.


Andy Stoy is rapidly building a world class McGinty collection, and this one is no exception. Anyone with an ID?


I'm also a fly rod fool, so this early John Landman marked for H.D. Folsom Arms, from Paul Narlefsky, was an eye catcher for me.


Who wouldn't like a Pflueger shark hook?


Steve Scarborough came home with a lot of tournament casting material, including this incredible Talbot.


Bill Sonnett brought by this amazing collection of Outdoor Life books, still in the original shipping container!


When it came to large-scale collections crossing many themes, I was astonished by how great Joe Hilko's Sheridan Jones collection was.


Another incredible collection was that of Joe Nelson, who brought this incredible Jamison display.


Bill Kingsley brought by his Spoon Jack and Michigan Life-Life collection for me to see. I was simply blown away!


Here's the second half...


Steve Knight's John B. McHarg collection was top notch...


Steve Lumpkin is an artist at creating a display, and this Millsite collection is just beautiful.


I found this four-sided display of fishing and sporting goods postal stationary simply inspiring.


A nice selection of Spinning gear rounds out our brief look at just a few of the displays.

For the finale today, I give you a photo essay taken by my nine-year old daughter. She was given a camera and instructed to take a picture of anything that caught her eye. The NFLCC Nationals through the eyes of a child, if you will...Here are ten of her photos:












I think that last one sums it up best for me...

TOMORROW: Dr. Todd's Nationals Finds!

-- Dr. Todd