Category Archives: Fly Fishing

HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog 1928

HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog This HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog is a real gem. H.J Frost was a New York fishing tackle jobber or wholesaler as many refer to it as for the first quarter of the 20th century. As with many jobbers, Frost sold fishing tackle and wares under different names, many collectors […]

Antique Fishing Line Blocks

Tight Lines Tuesday Line Blocks

Antique Fishing Line Blocks by John Etchieson Antique Fishing Line Blocks; 133 years ago in 1884 a fisherman was just as likely to find his fishing lines to be packaged on a wooden frame, called a “line block”, as he was to find them wrapped onto a round wooden spool since those had only been […]

Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card

Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card

Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card This item is a Vintage New and unused Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card. This rare silk fly fishing line that was coiled and attached to a cardboard card from 85+ years ago was only made for two years due to the company’s economic conditions caused by […]

Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting

Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting

Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting This Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting made the 10.5 hour drive each way a few weeks ago worth it. Along with seeing the many friends it had been to long and to far in between. I may not have gotten it until today but it was what I anticipated getting […]

1794 Fishing Tackle Ad

1794 Fishing Tackle Ad

1794 Fishing Tackle Ad This a 1794 Fishing Tackle Ad. It proves that sometimes while we believe the roots of the American Fly Fishing or Fishing Tackle industry started in the early to mid 19th Century, it did not. While names such as TH Bate, JT Buel, WD Chapman and others like Bradford and Anthony […]

The First Kingfisher Lines

Tight Lines Tuesday The First Kingfisher Lines

The First Kingfisher Lines by John Etchieson Its Tight Lines Tuesday The First Kingfisher Lines ; Between 1890 and 1905 the E J Martin Company Kingfisher brand was granted a registered trade mark by the U S Patent Office for each of three slightly different variations to the artwork that was used on their first […]

Heddon Widget Fly Lure

Heddon Widget Lure

Heddon Widget Fly Lure This Heddon Widget Fly Lure was first introduced in 1952. This antique fly lure was given model series number 300. This fly lure measures 1 1/4″ in length and has a #10 size treble hook. The lure has a small split shot ring attached to the front line tie on the […]

Tropical Bait Stormy Petrel Lure

Tropical Bait Stormy Petrel Lure

Tropical Bait Stormy Petrel Lure The Tropical Bait Stormy Petrel Lure has always been a favorite with collectors. Ned Danforth of Indianapolis, Indiana was the Owner and inventor of the Stormy Petrel. Ned began making his now famous fishing lures as early as 1935. The Stormy Petrel as it is referred to some as the […]

Creek Chub Fly Fishing Lure Pikie

Creek Chub Model 1200 Pikie

Creek Chub Fly Fishing Lure Pikie The Creek Chub Fly Fishing Lure Pikie was fist introduced in 1924, born in Garrett Indiana. This now almost 100 year old fly rod sized version of the classic Pikie minnow fishing lure, came in both a bass and a trout size as so many of the Creek Chub […]

ORCA Old Reel Collectors Association

ORCA Old Reel Collectors Association

ORCA Old Reel Collectors Association The ORCA Old Reel Collectors Association is a wonderful group of guys and gals focused on and promoting the History of Sport Fishing Reels. If your not a member, you should be. For the membership fees you are given access to more information, history and research capabilities then one could […]

Heddon River Runtie Spook Lure

Heddon River Runtie Spook Lure

Heddon River Runtie Spook Lure The Heddon River Runtie Spook Lure was first introduced in 1937 and was assigned a model 950. This second coming of this Heddon from Dowagiac Michigan fly lure was like many of the other period lures made from plastic. Although first introduced in a wood variation it wouldnt take Heddon […]

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby was Born and raised in Philips Maine in 1854. Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby was a writer, fly fisher, hunter, and outdoor enthusiast who worked for the Maine Central Railroad promoting the sporting life in Maine at the turn of the century. She held the first Maine Guide […]

Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives

Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives

Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives This Brook Trout Fishing Currier and Ives is part of a series of lithographs I’ve always enjoyed. Currier and Ives created over 7500 different titled lithographs. They were made between 1834 to 1907. Some of their fly fishing and fishing series even appearing on calendars. The annals of American […]

Louis Rhead Gamy Black Bass

Louis Rhead Gamy Black Bass

Louis Rhead Gamy Black Bass The illustration by Louis Rhead Gamy Black Bass was part of a feature from the Brooklyn daily Feature on June 21, 1908. The Title of Gamy Black Bass How it is Caught with Bait and Fly, How and Where uses Rhead’s masterful use of illustrations to give the reader a […]

Heddon Wilder Dilg Spook Fly Lure

Green Shore Minnow (Code XRG) Heddon Wilder Dilg Spook Fly Lure

Heddon Wilder Dilg Spook Fly Lure The Heddon Wilder Dilg Spook Fly Lure was a transition from its very popular Cork Bodied fly lures over to plastic, or spook bodied lures. The Wilder Dilg itself came to be 16 years prior to this culmination. The spook bodies began production in 1939 and were in the […]

Voices from the Past: Scarf Joint Fly Rods 1838

Voices from the Past Fishing for History

The following excerpt is from the article “Fly-Fishing” published in the American Turf Register for June 1838. It argues the best fly rods are those made with a “scare” joint — a scarf joint in today’s lexicon. There are some who still subscribe to this theory, and a few makers, like Bob Clay, are manufacturing […]

Voices from the Past: Charles Kewell

Voices from the Past Fishing for History

The following note was sent to the editor of the Sporting Goods Dealer and published in June 1906, and illustrates the fact that the sheer number of named fly patterns a century ago had already reached into the thousands. Note that Charles Kewell, a reputable sporting goods dealer and inventor of a casting spoon that […]

Alonzo H Fowler Forgotten Pioneer of the Bamboo Fly Rod Part II

Fowler Reel Ad 1884

Alonzo H. Fowler: Forgotten Pioneer of the Bamboo Fly Rod, Part II Alonzo H. Fowler:Forgotten Pioneer of the Bamboo Fly Rod, Part IIBy Dr. Todd E.A. LarsonCopyright 2019, all rights reserved.As tournament casting was the premier way to advertise a fine bamboo fly rod in the 1870s, the 1876 tournament was shaping up to be […]

Voices from the Past: A Tour of Abbey & Imbrie’s Fly Factory

A Tour of Abbey & Imbrie's Fly Factory

A Tour of Abbey & Imbrie’s Fly Factory A Tour of Abbey & Imbrie’s Fly Factory; The following description was published in the June 12, 1897 issue of Forest & Stream magazine, and describes as well as anything to date a trip through a fly tying factory in Brooklyn. The fly tying factory was that […]

The Fishing Valentine

The Fishing Valentine: A Photographic History Valentine’s Day started as a Victorian British tradition but really began to take off in America around the end of the nineteenth century. By 1910, the tradition of bringing Valentines to school to distribute to classmates began and created a long-running tradition here in the United States for school […]

Friday Fun House February 8th Edition

Dr. Todds Friday Fun House Good Reads ABOUT THE BOOK Back after constant demand, and fully revised and expanded! It’s Don Wheeler’s Frog Lure Collector’s Guide, and it has been expanded by a full 30% (now coming in at a loaded 352 pages. It’s the largest color book we’ve ever done, or will ever likely […]

The Strange History of the Fizgig and Wibble Wabble

The Strange History of the Fizgig and Wibble-Wabble

The Strange History of the Fizgig and Wibble Wabble Chicago’s Wartime Fly Rod Lures By Dr. Todd E.A. Larson The Summer of 1942 would seem by just about any measure to be the worst time to launch a new business concern. But considering the state of affairs concerning the outdoor world, it might be considered […]

Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part 3

Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part 3By Dr. Todd E.A. Larson© 2008 The AuthorThe Sad Demise of Thaddeus Norris From humble beginnings in January 1874, over the past three years Thaddeus Norris had labored long and hard to establish his name as synonymous with quality. But just as he was put into a position […]

Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part 2

Portrait of Thaddeus Norris, from Fred Mather’s Men I Have Fished With

Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part 2   By Dr. Todd E.A. Larson   Rodsmithing 101 Thad Norris’ importance went far beyond just the fly rods he made with his own hand. His Chapter XVII in The American Angler’s Book entitled “Rod-Making” gives a succinct overview of the contemporary state of rod building that is the […]

Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker, Part I

Thaddeus Norris, Profile of a Rodmaker By Dr. Todd E.A. Larson Introduction What would convince a successful businessman, internationally respected author, and an icon in his field to begin a new career at the age of 63 that promised enormously long hours, excruciatingly exacting work, and precious little pay? At a time when most of […]

Jordan the Rodmaker A Biography of Wesley D. Jordan

Jordan the Rodmaker A Biography of Wesley D. Jordan

Jordan the Rodmaker A Biography of Wesley D. Jordan Jordan the Rodmaker chronicles the life of Wesley D. Jordan from the age of five, when the ponds, streams and waters of Lynn, Massachusetts called him to the sport of fishing. Foremost a fisherman, the art of rodmaking fell into place when by happenstance the opportunity […]

Whitefish Price Guide to Vintage Fishing Lures

Whitefish Price Guide to Vintage Fishing Lures

The 2018 Whitefish Price Guide to Vintage Fishing Lures In the Whitefish Price Guide to Vintage Fishing Lures; Everyone has an opinion on what a vintage fishing lure is worth, but there is only one way to know for sure: find out what similar or identical lures have sold for in the recent past. But […]

Angling Echoes August 2018 The Trout

Angling Echoes August 2018

Angling Echoes August 2018 The Trout Click to View Angling Echoes August 2018 Edition Angling Echoes August 2018 The Trout; I know of almost no angler who does not love trout. Some love other species more, but almost everyone can agree that trout are a remarkable fish that deserve universal acclaim. This issue — the […]

What the Guide Said Bill Lambot

What the Guide Said Bill Lambot

What the Guide Said Bill Lambot What the Guide Said Bill Lambot; It is easy to understand the motivation for writing a first book. Everyone likes to think that they have a few good stories to tell. But what motivates an angler to write his second book of essays about fly fishing? A second book […]

THE ART & HISTORY OF SALMON EGG BAIT

THE ART & HISTORY OF SALMON EGG BAIT

THE ART & HISTORY OF SALMON EGG BAIT THE ART & HISTORY OF SALMON EGG BAIT: Salmon egg bait has a long tradition and history, but has been largely overlooked by fishing historians. With this meticulously researched book, noted collector and fishing historian Philip Beguhl illuminates for the first time the long and colorful history […]

FORGOTTEN FLY RODS VOLUME 1

FORGOTTEN FLY RODS

FORGOTTEN FLY RODS OVERLOOKED & UNDERAPPRECIATED AMERICAN FISHING ROD MAKERS, VOLUME 1 FORGOTTEN FLY RODS VOLUME 1: We know a good deal about many of the major American rod makers, ranging from Hiram Leonard to Eustis W. Edwards to Lyle Dickerson. But high end fly rod makers like these are just the tip (and a […]

THE HISTORY OF THE FISH HOOK IN AMERICA

THE HISTORY OF THE FISH HOOK IN AMERICA

THE HISTORY OF THE FISH HOOK IN AMERICA The first of a three-volume series on the history of the American fish hook traces the origins of the hook industry from its humble beginnings in Brooklyn to its position as a major competitor both in foreign and domestic markets by 1900. The product of more than […]

Radical Rodmaking: Innovative Bamboo Fly Rods & Their Makers

Radical Rodmaking

Radical Rodmaking: Innovative Bamboo Fly Rods & Their Makers Book Details 6” x 9” Softcover * Color Images * 188 Pages To Purchase this book please visit our sister site Whitefish Press; Radical Rodmaking: Innovative Bamboo Fly Rods & Their Makers ABOUT THE BOOK The tradition of the split bamboo fly rod goes back over 150 […]

John Betts Synthetic Flies- Flies with an Edited Hackle – Catch the Hatch

Synthetic Flies John Betts

Book Overview 118 pages • handwritten and illustrated • 11″ x 8.5″ • softcover • printed in the USA To Purchase this book visit our sister site Whitefish Press: John Betts Synthetic Flies- Flies with an Edited Hackle – Catch the Hatch BOOK DESCRIPTION This is a wonderful book from the great John Betts containing three […]

The Home Rodmaker Book

The Home Rodmaker Book

The Home Rodmaker Book Building Saltwater, Bait Casting, and Fly Rods from Wood & Bamboo In The Home Rodmaker, Stillman Taylor probably taught more people how to make fishing rods than any other writer of the 1900-1930 era. Yet today, he is virtually unknown even to the most advanced rod makers and fishing historians. How […]

Bamboo Lore Notes on Making, Wrapping, and Repairing Bamboo Fly Rods

Bamboo Lore

Bamboo Lore Notes on Making, Wrapping, and Repairing Bamboo Fly Rods In Bamboo Lore, Edwin Thomas Whiffen (1874 – 1957) was a prominent outdoor writer in the 1910s and 1920s who led a varied and fascinating life. A native New Yorker, he spent an active career as a teacher in New York City. A graduate […]

Father of the Five Strip Bamboo Fly Rod

Father of the Five Strip Bamboo Fly Rod

Father of the Five Strip Bamboo Fly Rod In the Father of the Five Strip Bamboo Fly Rod Robert W. Crompton was many things — artist, writer, advertising man, outdoorsman, fly fisherman — but we remember him best today as the father of the five strip bamboo fly rod. Noted bamboo rod maker and author […]

Fishing For History April – May 2018

Dr Todd and Authors have out done themselves again with this months Fishing for History. Setting the bar high with this Jam Packed 126 Page Colossal Angling Time Capsule. A Detailed Interview with Jan Cummings • Jim Dorr on Fly Rod Baits • Bill Sonnett on the Ashaway Slip Cast• Dr. Todd Larson on Heddon […]

Angling Echoes This Fly and That Fly

Angling Echoes This Fly and That Fly

Angling Echoes This Fly and That Fly Angling Echoes This Fly and That Fly; Thad Norris was affectionately known as “Uncle Thad” to his legion of fans and readers. The author of one of the most important books on angling in American history — The American Angler’s Book (1864) — he was also a rod […]

Sneak Peek Angling Echoes February Cover

Angling Echoes February 2018

Sneak Peek Angling Echoes February Cover Sneak Peek Angling Echoes February Cover; Wont be long and our 2nd issue will be out. Here is a Sneak Peek at February’s cover and a few of the story titles. Come take a look, and view a free high quality copy in flip-book form inside the page. Or […]

Angling Echoes Trout Fishing in the Rangeley Lakes

Angling Echoes Trout Fishing in the Rangeley Lakes

Angling Echoes Trout Fishing in the Rangeley Lakes An excerpt from Angling Echoes Trout Fishing in the Rangeley Lakes; As regards methods of fishing, it need only be said that the high-toned angler will not tempt his intended victim with anything but a fly at any season. The best fly-fishing is to be had in the […]

Angling Echoes Premier Issue January 2018

Angling Echoes Premier Issue January 2018

Echoes Premier Issue January 2018 Click the link below to read the first issue, and think about subscribing! 12 issues a year, $.99 an issue! Angling Echoes Also Take a look and like & follow our Facebook Page: Angling Echoes Facebook Page On Instagram @AnglingEchoes Angling Echoes is a unique departure in fishing magazines based on […]

Tight Lines Tuesday Silver King

Tight Lines Tuesday Silver King

Tight Lines Tuesday Silver King by John Etchieson – Tight Lines Tuesday Silver King; The “Silver King” and the Schmelzer Arms Company – The first tarpon ever caught with a rod and reel was taken in 1885 by W. H. Wood using bait and a thumb stall reel with linen line on Sanibel Island in […]

NFLCC Greater Milwaukee Lure Show

NFLCC Greater Milwaukee Lure Show NFLCC Greater Milwaukee Lure Show; Ever Wondered what it was like to look through the eyes of a antique lure collector? Mac Hoover did an amazing job in this short piece about the Greater Milwaukee Classic. If your interested in the history of fishing (Bass, Ice, Fly, Carp, Crappie, Salt […]

Friday Funhouse January 19 2018

Friday Funhouse January 19 2018

Friday Funhouse January 19 2018 Friday Funhouse January 19 2018; 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 […]

Tight Lines Tuesday Monarch

Tight Lines Tuesday Monarch

Tight Lines Tuesday Monarch by John Etchieson Tight Lines Tuesday Monarch; Thomas H. Wood (1846 – 1931) was the founder of the fishing line manufacturing company in South Coventry Connecticut which bore his name and produced this extremely rare and handsome looking MONARCH pure silk fishing line over 100 year ago in 1917. The regal […]

Tight Lines Tuesday Captain’s Pride

Tight Lines Tuesday Captain's Pride

Tight Lines Tuesday Captain’s Pride Tight Lines Tuesday Captain’s Pride; Captain Henry Hall (1821 – 1892) a seafaring man from Belfast Ireland came to America in 1838 and by 1840 established the Henry Hall Company to make Irish linen fishing lines which he called Cuttyhunk lines. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the […]

Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog 1893

Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog 1893

Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog 1893 This Hibbard Spencer Bartlett Fishing Catalog from 1893 is one of my all time favorite catalogs, as well as favorite covers. Ive always been seduced by the 19th century fishing tackle makers. My favorite period of time being between the civil war and the turn of the 19th century. […]

3rd Annual National Lure Collectors Club Gettysburg Show

3rd Annual National Lure Collectors Club Gettysburg Show

3rd Annual National Lure Collectors Club Gettysburg Show Only 30 Days left Until the 3rd Annual National Lure Collectors Club Gettysburg Show. If you hadn’t made plans, do so now! January 25-27 2018, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania The 3nd annual NFLCC Region II Gettysburg Winter Rendezvous will take place January 25-27th, 2018 at the Comfort Suites Gettysburg, […]

Louis Rhead Anglers Christmas

Louis Rhead Anglers Christmas 1917

Louis Rhead Anglers Christmas 1917 I saw this Louis Rhead Anglers Christmas scene from 1917 come across my feed this morning and just had to share.