The Walking Catfish of Florida video from yesterday's funhouse must have really struck a nerve with a lot of people, as I got a lot of email about it. My thanks go out to Steve Kuchman for setting the record straight. He wrote me the following note and graciously allowed me to post it so we all know what a horrible pest this fish actually is.
I am at work now and just saw the catfish video that you posted on your blog. Joe is correct, they do indeed walk.
The catfish is a species called the Clarius Catfish and is from Asia. They were imported into Florida for the tropical fish market and back in the 60's (I believe) and many escaped into local Florida waters during a flood. They are a very invasive species, tolerating water temperatures from 40 degrees to 120 degrees, and ph levels from very acidic to very akaline, and low oxygen levels that even carp cannot even survive in. Plus they are generalistc feeders and eat everything they can grab. Add that to the fact that they can walk to other bodies of water for food, etc, you can see why they are so evasive.
It's too late now as they have taken hold in Florida and are now a permanent species. They found out they could walk when they tried to poison some of the ponds they were living in and they just got out and walked to the next pond! Scary!
They are normally Grayish/Black in color (like the one in the video that Joe sent to you), but there are also Albino versions that are White w/Pink Eyes.
About 25 years ago, I had an Albino one that I raised in an aquarium. It was 2 inches long when I got it and I raised it until it weighed 3.8 lbs. and 22 inches long, then I traded it to another aquarium hobbyist. I had to keep it by itself as it would kill & eat anything I tried to put with it. The Albino ones are nearly blind, but have incredible senses of smell, touch & vibration. I used to feed mine live Goldfish, and it would catch them just by sensing where they were, even in the dark.
Anyway, there's a little info for you on the infamous Clarius (Walking) Catfish.
Thanks a ton Steve! Very informative information, but the thought of a white catfish with pink eyes walking on land will now haunt my nightmares. Thanks or that visual.
-- Dr. Todd
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday Funhouse
Thanks to Joe Yates for alerting us to the fact that Catfish are now walking the streets of Florida.
The Perez #1 saltwater reel in the box is a very nice find.
This DAM Quick Microlite spinning reel has attracted a TON of attention.
A Heddon Spindiver in the box is always an amazing find.
A nice Pflueger Metalized Minnow is a lure with a lot of flash.
Heddon Bassers are very popular, especially in tough colors like this.
Usually eBay listings are full of hyperbole...but not in this case. This VL&A rod made by Ed Payne is a truly rare bird.
Heddon Coast Minnows rarely surface, especially in Strawberry Spot.
Must...not...spend...all...my...money...on...Pflueger...Maybug...
Holy Bottom of the Tackle Box, Batman!
This is one old outboard motor!
A Heddon Black Beauty is a good fly rod to use or collect.
This Heddon Tiny Punkinseed is in great shape and a rare color.
5 Whalbone jigs are going for...how much???
Staro Spinning reels have become very popular.
The Moonlight Pikaroon is a top 10 all-time great lure.
A Creek Chub Surfster in Blue Flash is a great find.
This Hawks & Ogilvy marked kidney spinner is a classic piece of pre-1893 fishing tackle.
This is a very rare Richards & Conover Rich-Con marked trade reel, made by Montague.
Have a safe and happy weekend, and as always, be good to each other and yourself.
-- Dr. Todd
Thursday, July 17, 2008
NFLCC Nationals 2008, Part II
NFLCC Nationals, Part II
There is so much to see and do on the show floor that it is sometimes easy to forget the great educational displays that are put on. These displays are lugged across the country, in some cases, and require a tremendous amount of time and effort (and money) to put together--all at no benefit to their owners except the feeling that they have contributed to our greater knowledge. My hat is off to all exhibitors, one and all, for their contributions. Some of the displays were...well, mind-blowing.
Dave Erickson put this out on his table for our edification--a fake Chapman spinner. This one has the name etched on the blade, not stamped. Dave got this off eBay so beware!
Jeff Kieny's outstanding display of English hooks and hook mounts.
There were too many great displays to give them all justice, so I'll just concentrate on showing two of them in detail. One of the most amazing displays at nationals was Bob Guist's incredible collection of Phantom, McGinty, and Devon minnows. Bob's comprehensive collection is surreal it is so big; it coincided with the publication of his new book, The American Devon & McGinty, available by clicking here.
A second really amazing display was Gord Luckow's incredible Minnesota spearing decoy collection. Gordie gave me a personal tour, and I was astounded at the depth of his collection. It was really fun to learn more about spearing decoys, which is a subject of which I have very little knowledge.
There were numerous other great displays, a few photos of which will follow here.
The Best in Show was this incredible collection of Heddon Super Spooks. Pictures cannot do this justice, as it was awe-inspiring to look at.
A shot from the end gives some perspective on how big this display actually was. Simply awesome.
A nice case of made-in-Iowa baits.
Florida collectors were simply going gaga over this nifty display of Eger baits, including the coveted Victory box.
Displays need not be huge or on a large company to be comprehensive, educational, and downright neat, as this display of Johnson Automatic Strikers demonstrates beautifully.
My thanks one and all to everyone who took the time to display their collections! We are all richer for it.
Part III: My National Finds and Final Thoughts.
-- Dr. Todd
There is so much to see and do on the show floor that it is sometimes easy to forget the great educational displays that are put on. These displays are lugged across the country, in some cases, and require a tremendous amount of time and effort (and money) to put together--all at no benefit to their owners except the feeling that they have contributed to our greater knowledge. My hat is off to all exhibitors, one and all, for their contributions. Some of the displays were...well, mind-blowing.
There were too many great displays to give them all justice, so I'll just concentrate on showing two of them in detail. One of the most amazing displays at nationals was Bob Guist's incredible collection of Phantom, McGinty, and Devon minnows. Bob's comprehensive collection is surreal it is so big; it coincided with the publication of his new book, The American Devon & McGinty, available by clicking here.
A second really amazing display was Gord Luckow's incredible Minnesota spearing decoy collection. Gordie gave me a personal tour, and I was astounded at the depth of his collection. It was really fun to learn more about spearing decoys, which is a subject of which I have very little knowledge.
There were numerous other great displays, a few photos of which will follow here.
My thanks one and all to everyone who took the time to display their collections! We are all richer for it.
Part III: My National Finds and Final Thoughts.
-- Dr. Todd
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
NFLCC Nationals 2008, Part I
NFLCC Nationals 2008, Part I
The NFLCC Nationals is not like any other event in the collecting world--if all you've ever gone to is a regional show, you really can't imagine just how much fishing tackle is around you. One year a friend of mine tried to calculate the fair market value of the fishing tackle on the show floor alone and quickly gave up when his mental math reached the high seven figures. It is simply mind boggling, and the amazing thing is how little time you have to take it all in. If you stopped in front of every table for just ten minutes you could not see the whole show in two full days. It's basically a Mall of America for tackle collectors.
A shot of the floor at NFLCC nationals shows tackle as far as the eye can see.
In both directions.
The great part of this year's Nationals in Peoria was, of course, meeting up with all of the friends from the past and making some new friends as well. A new thing for me this year was actually having my own table, which I've never actually done before. My experience as a vendor was fascinating to say the least. I must have completely lucked out as they put me between a veritable who's who of collecting--to my left was ORCA officer and Horton-Bristol guru Bill Muth with his incredible reel display; behind me was the wonderful "Pepper" Jack and Dobby Gallagher, two of the kindest people alive; and to my left were the legendary Bill Stuart and Johnny Garland. I mean, these collectors have certainly forgotten more about fishing tackle than I will ever know. It was a true pleasure to talk with them for two days.
Working The Whitefish Press table with my favorite little helper.
My second favorite helper lent a hand on the floor as well.
The Gallaghers in front of their display.
Johnny Garland, the Bagley expert extraordinaire, takes a break.
Perhaps the best experience for me was getting to launch two new books at the nationals, Jeff Kieny's wonderful Patented Hooks, Harnesses & Bait-Holders, and Don Wheeler's outstanding Frog Lures of Yesterday and Today. It was a great honor to not just work with these gentleman but to spend time on the floor with them, as they celebrated their celebrity status by autographing books for most of the day.
Jeff Kieny is the proud father of a new book.
Don Wheeler showing off his Frog Book, the only book ever published in frog spot pattern.
The only problem with running your own table, I discovered, is that you get almost no time to explore the floor yourself. I spent less than an hour doing so, and that only because my two helpers spelled me for a brief time on Friday afternoon.
My second favorite helper watching the booth (on my 16th weddding anniversary, no less).
Here Don Wheeler and my second favorite helper show off the Frog Book. Note how Pepper Jack Gallagher's vest made it into the photo.
To balance my disappointment over the amount of time I got to spend exploring, many friends old and new made it by the table. From John Conlin to Bill Sonnett to Laurie Bingham to Roger Schulz and Dave Erickson to Andy Foster to Tom Jacomet to Joan Lyons to some of the regulars off Joe's Board like Big Foot and Grouch, it was fun being able to talk to people at some length. Of course, there is never enough time and I didn't get a chance to talk to some of the people I enjoy spending time with such as Don Ludy, but so is life.
Jeff Kieny, Dick Streater, and Bill Sonnett put their heads together.
Wisconsin ex-pat and old friend Tom Jacomet peruses the tables.
Ted Bingham proudly shows off his new Vom Hofe book, which if you haven't bought, you're basically crazy--get it here.
One of the things I truly enjoyed this year was bringing my eight-year old daughter who, thanks to Don Wheeler, is now crazy about Frog Lures. With her new friend Nicholas, she covered the show floor with other kids around her age and brought a smile to many a grizzled veterans' faces. This is truly the future of collecting, folks. Thanks to Craig Comjean, Byron Parker, Dan Basore, Don Wheeler, Laurie Bingham, and many others for their kindness to the children, both this year and in the past.
The future of collecting.
Friday morning found me at the NFLCC business meeting. It is always good to get in the same room with so many like-minded people, and particularly it was gratifying to see that the meeting was fairly well attended.
The business meeting from my perch at the back of the room.
Tomorrow: NFLCC Show Report Part 2
-- Dr. Todd
The NFLCC Nationals is not like any other event in the collecting world--if all you've ever gone to is a regional show, you really can't imagine just how much fishing tackle is around you. One year a friend of mine tried to calculate the fair market value of the fishing tackle on the show floor alone and quickly gave up when his mental math reached the high seven figures. It is simply mind boggling, and the amazing thing is how little time you have to take it all in. If you stopped in front of every table for just ten minutes you could not see the whole show in two full days. It's basically a Mall of America for tackle collectors.
The great part of this year's Nationals in Peoria was, of course, meeting up with all of the friends from the past and making some new friends as well. A new thing for me this year was actually having my own table, which I've never actually done before. My experience as a vendor was fascinating to say the least. I must have completely lucked out as they put me between a veritable who's who of collecting--to my left was ORCA officer and Horton-Bristol guru Bill Muth with his incredible reel display; behind me was the wonderful "Pepper" Jack and Dobby Gallagher, two of the kindest people alive; and to my left were the legendary Bill Stuart and Johnny Garland. I mean, these collectors have certainly forgotten more about fishing tackle than I will ever know. It was a true pleasure to talk with them for two days.
Perhaps the best experience for me was getting to launch two new books at the nationals, Jeff Kieny's wonderful Patented Hooks, Harnesses & Bait-Holders, and Don Wheeler's outstanding Frog Lures of Yesterday and Today. It was a great honor to not just work with these gentleman but to spend time on the floor with them, as they celebrated their celebrity status by autographing books for most of the day.
The only problem with running your own table, I discovered, is that you get almost no time to explore the floor yourself. I spent less than an hour doing so, and that only because my two helpers spelled me for a brief time on Friday afternoon.
To balance my disappointment over the amount of time I got to spend exploring, many friends old and new made it by the table. From John Conlin to Bill Sonnett to Laurie Bingham to Roger Schulz and Dave Erickson to Andy Foster to Tom Jacomet to Joan Lyons to some of the regulars off Joe's Board like Big Foot and Grouch, it was fun being able to talk to people at some length. Of course, there is never enough time and I didn't get a chance to talk to some of the people I enjoy spending time with such as Don Ludy, but so is life.
One of the things I truly enjoyed this year was bringing my eight-year old daughter who, thanks to Don Wheeler, is now crazy about Frog Lures. With her new friend Nicholas, she covered the show floor with other kids around her age and brought a smile to many a grizzled veterans' faces. This is truly the future of collecting, folks. Thanks to Craig Comjean, Byron Parker, Dan Basore, Don Wheeler, Laurie Bingham, and many others for their kindness to the children, both this year and in the past.
Friday morning found me at the NFLCC business meeting. It is always good to get in the same room with so many like-minded people, and particularly it was gratifying to see that the meeting was fairly well attended.
Tomorrow: NFLCC Show Report Part 2
-- Dr. Todd
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Voices from the Past: Curt Gowdy
Growing up, like many people I admired Curt Gowdy--host of the ABC-TV show The American Sportsman, a show that once commanded 20 million viewers per week (the same as American Idol garners today). In addition to his sportscasting work, Gowdy was also a serviceable writer. This little vignette on Ted Williams was first published in 1979, and gives some interesting insight into the Splendid Splinter's angling psyche.
I was broadcasting the Boston Red Sox games when Ted Williams was the biggest name in baseball. Ted was just as good a fisherman as he was a batter. He took me out with him on the Florida Keys, and we spent many hours in planes, hotel rooms, and dugouts during the baseball season talking fishing. Williams is a perfectionist, which is undoubtedly why he was so explosive and controversial as a ballplayer. He has to be good at anything he tries. He wants to know all about it and will go to everyone to find out.
There are not many men in the world as versatile as Ted Williams in fishing. He has caught big billfish, he is outstanding with the spinning and plug-casting rods, and he is one of the best for distance and accuracy with the flyrod. Then he can sit down at his fly-tying bench and with those big powerful hands that nearly ground so many baseball bats into pieces, turn out the daintiest little dry flies imaginable. He knows tackle of all types and what makes them good or bad.
I remember one day in the 1950s when the Red Sox were playing a series against the Senators in Washington, D.C. we had a night game scheduled, and Ted had noticed that the national casting tournaments were being held at the reflection pool on the mall. The best casters in America had gathered to compete in the distance and accuracy events.
We were watching some of the events, when one of the participants recognized Ted and invited him to try his gear. Ted stepped out on the platform, stripped the shooting monofilament line on the deck, and with that strange outfit cast a fly just five feet shorter than the man who won the national distance fly-casting championship.
In the can on the way back to the hotel I asked Ted why he liked to fish: "Gee, for a lot of reasons, I guess," Ted said. "Living in San Diego as a boy I was around water and got interested then. But I like the challenge it offers me. It's real relaxation for me. I like to get away from crowds--off by myself. It's a chance to relax and not have some fan or writer getting on me. I like the competition of going for records on all different types of tackle and line test. Fishing offers so many different things I enjoy that I can't single out one particular reason why I like to fish--but boy, it's been great for me."
-- Dr. Todd
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