Sunday, March 23, 2008 12:23 AM CDT
A reel good time: Local man enjoys collecting vintage fishing lures
By DAWN SCHABBING, Features Writer
dschabbing@jg-tc.com
Fishing, a sport that evolved from the basic need to survive, is still popular at area lakes and ponds.
Some folks fish for leisure and recreation, some for trophies or a paycheck, some simply to eat.
Others are passionate about the sport as they enjoy collecting vintage lures — which takes the sport of angling in a slightly different direction.
History teaches that some of the oldest lures were made from bone, and others are handcrafted wood lures. Sometimes bronze and metal lures were used to help attract the fish, but today, many of the lures are made of plastic.
“I believe that 99 percent of the lures are made to catch the fishermen, and about 1 percent are made to catch fish,” said Dave Boyer of Strasburg, an avid collector of vintage lures.
“It’s those pretty ones that grab us, mostly.”
Boyer, 60, has been fishing most of his life, and collecting lures for the past 10 years. The modern fishing lure has been commercially made in the United States since the early 1900s.
By casting out the fishing line on the rod and reel with the desires to catch a fish, the lure might use movement or color and multiple hooks to catch a fish, said Boyer.
“The old lures are well-built. Japan still makes a lot of specialty lures that are just beautiful,” said Boyer. “But, it’s no different than anything else today — the manufacturers have gone to plastic instead of wood. Some used to have 19 coats of paint on one; now there may be three coats,” said Boyer.
Some of the changes with the newer lures includes the lure’s eyes, he noted.
“The old lures have glass eyes. Manufacturers weren’t quite as cost-conscious as they are today then. Later, the eyes were made using a tack or a nail. Today many (manufacturers) just paint on an eye,” he said.
A 10-year member of the National Fishing Lure Collectors Club, which was founded in 1976, Boyer is involved in the nationwide fishing lure shows — or swap meets — held around the U.S. each year.
The organization has about 5,000 members, both men and women, and is always looking for new members, said Boyer.
An NFLCC show is scheduled in Effingham on April 19 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1501 W. Fayette. Those attending may purchase a day membership for $5, or an annual membership for $25.
Boyer and his wife, Diana, enjoy the meets and in recent weeks have attended those in Bartlesville, Okla., Osage Beach, Mo., and Indianapolis.
“We have swap meets and this is how I get a lot of my tackle,” said Boyer.
Boyer retired from Caterpillar in Decatur after 32 years of service. He now works as the Richland Township road commissioner, an elected position he’s held for the past nine years.
He also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
He said there are still about five major companies making lures today. Like many of his club friends, Boyer seeks out his favorite type of lure at garage sales, on eBay — but mostly at swap meets.
“I’ve been fishing for at least 50 years. We couldn’t afford lures when I was a kid. I’d fish in farm ponds in the area where I could ride my bike to it. I used worms or grasshoppers back then,” he said.
His favorite lure is made by Bomber Bait Co., and those were last made with wood body lures in 1971 in Gainesville, Texas.
In 1972, the company starting making plastic body lures, which were made until 1986. Then the company sold to Pradco, in Fort Smith, Ark., he said.
“(Later), I could afford these (Bomber Bait Co.) lures more. I like these. When these were new, it might cost $2 or $3 for one. Now, 35 years later, owning some that have never been used could sell for $15-20 dollars on average.”
Boyer said collectors most often want to buy something still in the box, often with the manufacturer’s instruction sheet still folded neatly inside.
“We look for lures that flies have never landed on, so to speak. If they’ve been used, it demolishes its value.”
Boyer low-balled his collection of lures as numbering about 500, some made back in the 1930s. His tackle collection also includes antique minnow buckets, glass minnow traps and reels — many still in the original carton.
“There are very few bait companies left in the U.S. Some of the most valuable tackle items come up at the fishing lure shows. You should always research a lure before you decide to sell it,” Boyer said.
The upcoming Effingham fishing lure meet will include free appraisal for anyone who wants to bring lures in.
Sellers will likely have plenty of buyers, but there isn’t any pressure to sell, he said. The appraisers sometimes shock swap meet goers, and sometimes disappoint them.
“Several are just shocked that a lure could have that much value. Sometimes people think they have a gold mine, and find out it’s worth a dollar,” Boyer said. “Depending on the situation, some would rather have the money.”
Boyer said a few years ago a young man brought in a rare find to be appraised. It was a 1906 Heddon 100 three-hook lure that had been owned by the man’s grandfather.
It was appraised at $1,500.
“It was still stored in its wooden box and had never been used. It was valued at that time at $1,500. He decided to keep it, and I was happy he did,” said Boyer.
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