I’m sitting here on a Sunday morning, while it is howling outside at winds of 25-30 and raining cats and dogs. I should be out fishing but I think considering the conditions I’ll just look through another old tackle box.
As I scan through the box I spot an old Pyralin Ball Bait. This was made in Chicago back in the 1920’s. This one is an early spinner and it featured a nipple-like rubber cup and a beautifully crafted pyralin spinner that was encircled in a German silver sleeve with patent applied for” engraved in the metal. This loose paper label covers an older box label calling this unique lure the “Gold Ball Spinner”. The maker of both was the Progressive Tool& Manufacturing Company.
As I set the above spinner aside, my eye catches a clever looking lure that dates as far back as 1905-1905. This is the Rhodes Wooden Minnow that was manufactured back in Kalamazoo, Michigan, by the Kalamazoo Fishing Tackle Company. This lure has brass cups, “Egg Yolk” eyes and a fantastic looking box with papers. The Kalamazoo Fishing Tackle Company was acquired by William Shakespeare, Jr. back in 1905, so this lure was incorporated into the Shakespeare line of products. Note the high forehead and round body.
This third lure is the smaller version of the musky version Mud Puppy in article #3. Though smaller in stature, this one is more suited for Bass, pike and small muskies. This glass eyed version, in this early picture box, turned up in an estate auction in Kansas, MO., and like its big brother a priceless gem.
Ask around the old timers and see if they have any old tackle boxes you can pilfer, it would be well worth your time. Me? I’m heading outside to the shop and work on my fishing gear. Good luck, and remember to take a kid fishing!
Mike Rogers
RB Bass Angler