Wolverine DuraShocks SR 6” Work Boot
After a hit and a miss I found a tough, comfortable, good-looking boot that I really like.
I hate to admit this, but over the last few years I’ve had some trouble with my feet. I really don’t know what the problem is, other than that I occasionally have a flare-up of gout, but my feet have been “iffy” more times than I care to admit. This is something that I’ve had a hard times accepting, because I’ve always been good on my feet, agile and athletic, but lately my feet (and my knees…bone spurs) have been giving me more grief than anything. Often, they hurt when I walk and I’ve taken to changing my diet (for the gout) and massaging them to keep them pain-free and manageable. As a result, it’s become hard to find a pair of shoes and boots that I’m comfortable with. I always buy those cushioned inserts when I get a new pair of running shoes or boots.
Well, several months ago I was approached by someone who works with Wolverine Boots, out of Rockford, Michigan. They asked if I’d like to try a pair of new Wolverine boots. Actually, they asked me to try several pair. The first pair I tried I loved for their stylish look. They were the Rancher Flag Work Boot (I reviewed them back in August). They were/are good boots, ones I still wear when I go out or want to look a little more well dressed. I have found, however, that extended wear tends to bother my feet just a little bit more than I originally thought. After the Rancher Flag boots I got a pair of ReForce EnergyBound Composite Toe Work Boots, and these I found to be quite uncomfortable. Finally, they sent me a pair of Wolverine DuraShocks SR 6” Soft Toe Work Boots, and I’ve been wearing them almost daily since breaking them in in the beginning of November. I think I’ve found a boot that works!
My experience with the three pairs of Wolverine boots - one pretty good, one unfavorable, and one excellent - just goes to show you that fitting boots or shoes can be a very personal experience, and that you might have to try several before finding the one that feels good, especially if you’ve got issues with your feet.
The DuraShocks SR boots have been comfortable, they look great and my feet feel absolutely no ill effects after continuous wear. And get this, I don’t even have cushioned inserts in them. That’s huge for me. I can walk continuously for extended periods of time and the only issue I have is that I occasionally have to tighten up the shoestrings. These boots have become my everyday, comfortable and reliable work boot. I do a good deal of stomping through the woods, over trails, up and down hilly terrain and just taking daily walks with my wife. These boots have been a godsend. But I will admit that sometimes, infrequently, after a full day of walking my dogs do start to bark. That might say more about the health of my feet than the boots, I don’t know. But I’m grateful that the barking isn’t an everyday thing anymore.
Wolverine Durashocks SR’s appear to be very well made, and after two months of regular wear they show darn little wear and tear. Sure, they’re scuffed up a bit and have a few wrinkles, but I imagine they’ll hold up fine for a good while. At this point I expect them to last well past this coming year, but we’ll see. I have yet to oil them up and the tread is still in excellent condition. And as for the tread, it’s advertised as slip resistant. Just this morning we had icy conditions and I can confirm that I safely navigated our ice covered porch. lol. As far as their water resistant leather upper, that too is accurate, and as I said, I have yet to oil them, which will of course completely waterproof them. Overall, I really, really like these boots. They’ve pretty much solved an ongoing issue I’ve had, are very comfortable, sturdy and well crafted.
Note: I just checked the website to check the selling price for this review. They sell for $160. But I was surprised and happy to see that the boot was also named “GearJunkie's Most Comfortable Work Boot of 2024.” That’s an accolade that I fully confirm. Darn good boot!
Here’s a video promoting the Wolverine DuraShocks SR Work Boot:
Tom Mann’s Methods For Catching Bass
First published on Bass Fishing Archives on Jan. 17, 2023.
Tom Mann's Methods For Catching Bass.
Tom Mann’s Methods For Catching Bass is a 1972 B.A.S.S. publication that is truly a product of its time. Mann, of course, is one of the most successful lure designers who’s ever lived, with a minnow bucket overflowing with bass catching baits that have become iconic. He was also a highly successful tournament angler, winning the 1971 Georgia Invitational on Lake Seminole and the 1972 Florida National on Lake Kissimmee. Mann qualified for 7 BassMaster Classics and placed 2nd in the very first one on Lake Mead in 1971. In this book he basically wears both hats, lure designer and successful bass angler, writing about a few of his best-known lures and how to fish them, as well as giving anglers solid advice on how to find and catch bass in multiple situations and conditions.
The book lists Mann as the author and Bob Cobb as the editor. But Cobb used a very light hand in editing. The grammar and spelling are occasionally suspect but the 112 page softcover is heavy on folksy charm and pre-modern-electronics bass fishing wisdom. This book is written in Mann’s own words, and it’s all the better for it. The first chapter is titled “Tom Mann’s Philosophy for Bass Fishing,” but there’s really very little bass fishing philosophy here. It’s more a story of Mann’s life growing up on a farm in rural Alabama, and how fishing fit into that life. To me, this story is much more interesting than his fishing philosophy, and really sets the tone for the rest of the book.
I don’t suppose you could expect a lure designer of Mann’s stature to put out a book on how to catch bass without him giving a heavy nod to a few of his own lures. The first half of Methods For Catching Bass spotlights probably his best known lures at the time of publication, each meriting a chapter of its own: the Jelly Worm, Little George, Wooly Bully spinnerbait, and the Mann-O-Lure. In each chapter, Mann discusses the virtues of the bait and how to fish it in various conditions. It’s a great general tutorial on fishing each lure style and the environments for which each one is best suited.
It’s also interesting to note that Mann favored spinning gear over baitcasting gear. He mentioned it more than once throughout the book, while almost ignoring baitcasting gear altogether. He gives his recommendations for the spinning gear set-up he feels is best, and says that, in his opinion, “heavy-duty open-face spinning tackle has the edge over other bass fishing outfits.” Mann’s preference for spinning rods and reels is manna to my ears, as I grew up fishing spinning gear and only came to baitcasting later in life. It’s reassuring to know that one of the world’s best bass anglers bucked the trend a bit by favoring it over the baitcasting gear preferred by most pro anglers.
In the succeeding chapter, “Learn to Think Like a Bass,” Mann discusses topics like bass vision and hearing, feeding habits, living areas, whether bass react to human odors, and even a couple paragraphs on keeping bass for eating. These are all potentially dry topics that have been covered by many other authors, but Mann addresses them with interesting anecdotes and an engaging style that makes for some good reading.
One interesting bit from this chapter comes when Mann talks about odors that repel or attract bass, or scents that serve to cover human odors. “At the 1972 Arkansas National BASS Tournament on Lake Ouachita, one contestant aroused considerable interest by juicing his artificial plastic worms with a well-known spray deodorant, Mennen. The angler swore it made the difference in the number of strikes. Asked about the effectiveness of such tricks, the pro’s fishing partner grinned, ‘I don’t know whether it really helps or not, but I’m afraid not to try it too.’”
This reminds me of a popular “scent” folks fishing for Lake Michigan salmon and trout used to apply to their lures back in the day: WD40. I don’t know who started it, but WD40 as a fishing scent took off like crazy along the lake shore, with everyone from charter captains to pier anglers having cans of it in their gear. You bet we used it too, although I can’t say with certainty whether it increased the hits we got or not. Like Mann alluded, we were afraid not to try it for fear of missing out on something hot.
Tom Mann, Methods For Catching Bass, p.112.
In one of the editing quirks in the book, the next chapter is titled “How to Find Bass” in the table of contents and in the running head (or top) of each page of the chapter. But the big font title at the start of the chapter repeats the book title with “Tom Mann’s Methods for Catching Bass.” This slight confusion really means, I assume, that this is the “money chapter.” I think that would be a good bet, because Mann subscribes to the old adage that says finding a bass’ lair is job number one. This portion of the book covers where to look for bass and how to develop a pattern for catching them once they’re found. Pattern fishing and structure fishing are well-known tactics today, but in 1972 they were still fairly new to many anglers. Pro anglers like Tom Mann and Roland Martin, and magazines like Fishing Facts and, later, In-Fisherman, have made it the ubiquitous fishing method that every serious angler employs today.
So you might look at this section to be something of a primer on pattern and structure fishing, as well as presenting a way of fishing that has all but disappeared in modern tournament angling. Mann discusses using dry-land terrain to suss out the potential underwater features, using land markers (trees or houses, for example) to triangulate a hot spot on the water, along with a depth sounder and marker buoys to further pinpoint those spots. Of course Mann has high praise for his own Humminbird Depth Sounder in this pursuit. It’s really a great record of how bass fishing used to be before the advent of modern electronics, forward facing sonar, livescope and luxury bass boats equipped with everything but espresso machines. This is how the pros of old did it, and it’s still a highly effective method for non-pro anglers who aren’t blessed with truckloads of money or sponsorships. It’s also the real history of bass fishing that those of us who follow Bass Fishing Archives love, back when the tools and techniques of professional anglers were within easy reach of weekend anglers.
Tom Mann and David Lockhart with an incredible string of bass. Methods For Catching Bass, p.109.
Mann concludes the book with a brief chapter called “Putting It All Together.” He provides a quick bullet list of “Deadly Dozen Tips for Catching Bass” that is, in my opinion, just fantastic common sense advice. And he tells a wonderful story of how he and friend David Lockhart did indeed put it all together one July day in 1972 and boated an unbelievable 25 bass weighing 155 pounds total. Mann continues, “The top 17 weighed 128 pounds; an amazing seven-plus pound average. David’s big bass was so fat it was shaped like a saucer. The fish was 26 inches long with a 25-inch girth.” The picture of Mann and Lockhart with this incredible catch is mind-blowing. In fact the photos alone in this great little book are worth the price of it, in my opinion.
So, notwithstanding the few editing miscues, this is a book every angler who enjoys bass fishing history and its colorful personalities should own. Tom Mann is a legitimate legend in the sport and “Methods For Catching Bass” is all the more engaging because it’s written in his own words. You can still find the book available in a few online sources for under $20.
Evergreen Ammo Case and GoPro Case
A couple of brilliant storage cases you didn’t know you needed.
I acquired two new high quality storage cases, one for ammo and one for my GoPro, from Evergreen Cases, back in October. Up until now I had been storing my ammo in its original cardboard boxes in either a heavy cardboard box or in one of the old metal military ammo boxes I inherited. It was a system that, for the most part, worked for me, although I have to admit it was a bit of a hassle sorting through the boxes in my closet for whatever cartridge I happened to be looking for. More often than not, it seemed that if I was looking for, say, 9mm cartridges I’d have to pull out a dozen other boxes before finding what I was looking for. Yes, I know, I should be more organized, but sometimes life gets in the way and you end up settling on a storage system just because it’s in front of you.
Anyway, I decided to change my lackadaisical ways this year and am determined to get more organized. To that end I got a couple of these new cases from Evergreen, just to try them out and see if they would be worth pursuing as a more permanent system. Suffice to say, I am impressed with both of the cases I got from Evergreen. They are both beautifully designed and appear to be on the upper end of the sturdy and rugged scale. They share a 3X Key Lock Latch, which I found to be a nice feature to keep prying little hands from getting into the contents. Not that I have any prying little hands around much anymore, but occasionally when the kids visit it’s nice to have that little added bit of security.
What I really liked about the ammo case was the ease and style with which it fit in a dresser drawer. I appreciate the fact that all of my ammo is neatly organized in a form-fitted case that I can easily transport, rather than a “box of shells” that rattles about when I need to grab it or move it. I’m telling you, I just feel more professional about my ammo storage now. So much so, in fact, that I’m going to expand my collection of cases to include a few handgun storage cases as well. If I have a criticism of the Evergreen Case it would be that they’re not stackable. I would really like to see the company incorporate a design that allows for cases of the same size to snap into place with one another.
But as much as I like the Evergreen 56 Pistol Ammo Case, I like the 56 GoPro Case even more. This thing solved several issues I had with storing my GoPro. It is super handy and convenient to have every piece that goes with my camera in a single, form-fitted case. I got the clear top case, which allows me to see everything I’m carrying. Man, it beats hauling everything in a zippered bag by a country mile. Plus, the case is waterproof, shatterproof and has the same 3X Key Lock Latch, so it by no means can accidentally open without you twisting the latch or using the key if you choose to. The ammo case makes me feel good about my firearm and ammo storage options now, but the GoPro Case is life changing. I don’t mean to sound overly dramatic but if you have a GoPro or similar small motion camera this kind of storage is just invaluable.
Evergreen has some cool options too, if you’re so inclined. I believe you can get custom printing done on the cases, and they have custom foam inserts as well. I’m planning on changing out a lot of my storage systems this coming year and replacing them with Evergreen Cases. My next cases will be their Medical Kits, the 56 model for backpacking and day trips and the larger 230 or 300 case for the truck and lengthier camping or backcountry trips.
Evergreen Cases are pretty affordable, with the two I got running around $38 for the ammo case and $50 for the GoPro case. But Evergreen seems to have sales going on fairly regularly, and right now they have some great deals going on for the holidays. I think just about any of the cases would make a great Christmas gift, especially the GoPro case and the Med Kit (I’m getting a Med Kit for my brother, and another GoPro Case for myself). Do yourself a favor and check out the Evergreen Cases website.
Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio Set
Rocky Talkie is a wonderful safety tool that allows you to stay in touch when you’re on the lake or in the field.
I’ve long wanted a set of walkie talkie radios, as a safety and security tool when I’m away from home. I hunt and fish by myself almost exclusively, and there have been times when I’m in the woods or on a lake and my cell phone service has not been reliable. I live in northern Wisconsin and as I drive around the state I inevitably hit spots where I simply can’t get a phone signal. I’ve long thought that a set of two-way radios would solve this issue. The Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio set has indeed done just that. Beyond being able to contact my wife should I have an emergency situation, just being able to chat is a huge convenience with the Rocky Talkies.
I started out using them a few times this fall when I was in the boat fishing. The lake I frequent is a short distance - less than 2 miles - away from home, which is well under the radio’s stated 35 mile line-of-sight range. I thought these outings would allow my wife and I to familiarize ourselves with their use and features, and would hopefully be fun to use as well. Of course they worked beautifully. There’s a video that runs through the features and operation of the Rocky Talkie, and I’ll include a link to it below. But honestly, it took us less than 60 seconds to get in the groove of how to use them. The system is intuitive and super simple. And the clarity of transmission is shockingly good. Voices come through crisp and clear, and we experienced no static whatsoever.
The Rocky Talkie handles like a sturdy, high quality unit. It feels good in the hand and the components seem practically bomb proof. I especially like the springy cord carabiner hook-up, which allows me to attach it to a belt, shoulder or pack loop, and stretch it up to talk while maintaining connection to the carabiner harness. It’s the little things like the carabiner attachment that make a big difference.
As we moved into November I strayed a little further from home for hunting and a couple final fishing trips. At around 8 to 10 miles the walkies still worked great, with no significant drop in sound quality or clarity. Now bear in mind that the area I was hunting and the distance from home is fairly flat or gently rolling land. I don’t know what the reception would be in mountainous terrain. One time I was out and it was raining, and my unit got wet from the rain. It functioned just as it had before it got wet. The specs indicate that the Rocky Talkie is waterproof to about 3 feet if submerged. I don’t know about that, but I’m guessing it’s probably accurate based on how the unit performed in a steady rain. One of the most impressive features, in my opinion, is the battery life. Battery life is just nuts, lasting several days, with moderate use, before recharging. That is peace of mind right there!
Another nice thing about the 5 Watt radio is that it’s really quite simple, and doesn’t have a lot of unnecessary features. It’s basically idiot-proof. The weather channel feature is pretty sweet too, giving you plenty of advance notice of impending weather conditions. You also have the option of replacing the regular antennae with a longer 17cm antennae, which comes with the unit, should you need to improve reception. I didn’t need to, as I have yet to venture more than 10 or 12 miles from home, but I’m sure it will come in handy as I increase my hunting distance from home. I think the real utility of these units, however, will be when hunting or fishing and camping in the backcountry, and you want to stay connected to your base camp or camp site while out in the field or on the lake. In that regard, I see the Rocky Talkie as practically indispensible.
The Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio with the extended antennae attached.
To be honest, I was a little cautious about how well the Rocky Talkie would perform, as my only frame of reference was the old-time walkie talkies of years past, which were spotty at best, with reception that left a lot to be desired. Not these units. The Rocky Talkie units are light years ahead of those old radios. I can’t praise them enough for their intended use. They are simple to operate, strong and sturdy as heck, clear and reliable, and compact and easily portable. I absolutely won’t leave home without them, and they’ve become a part of my standard gear kit. Their not inexpensive, running around $360 a pair, but that’s really a small price to pay for the piece of mind and convenience they offer. Next spring we have a group camping and fishing trip planned in the north country, and I’m going to purchase a couple more units for the group (and to double as a birthday gift for my brother). Yes, these would indeed make an ideal gift for the hunter, angler, hiker or camper on your list.
Below is a video detailing the operation of the Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio. You can get the 5 Watt Radio (or their Mountain Radio), as well as some cool accessories and other gear, from the website: https://rockytalkie.com/.
High Camp Parkside Flask™ Sundown Edition
A new designer flask from High Camp for glamourous outdoor adventure.
High Camp Flasks has released a new artist-designed graphic wine flask, the Parkside Flask™ Sundown Edition. This is a vacuum insulated flask similar to their Firelight Flask 750 that I reviewed back in July. The new Sundown Edition, however, is arguably even more glamorous and elegant than the Firelight. This stylish flask features a very cool “wildernessy” design by artist Kinsey Hotchkiss in gold accent. The flask has an all-steel construction that features two magnetized tumblers, top and bottom, so you don’t have to worry about potentially breaking a wine bottle or looking for a corkscrew when you’re in the field. The Sundown Edition flask is designed to hold an entire 750ml bottle of wine or 25 ounces of your favorite cocktail (we tend to like Old Fashions up here).
There are a lot of new drink flasks and thermos containers on the market right now, some of which I really like and recommend, but this new designer flask by High Camp is, in my opinion, the most stylish and beautiful one I’ve seen. You also have the option of custom engraving with names and/or logos or designs of your choosing. You want an extra special, one-of-a-kind gift for someone, this is it.
High Camp Flasks also has a YouTube channel where you can see videos of their products, but I’d suggest hitting their Parkside Flask™ Sundown Edition website page to watch the minute-long video on these new designer flasks. Of course you can also get more information on the flasks at the site.
"We worked hard to make the Sundown Edition truly unique. The design, the finish, the feel—everything was crafted with care. I can’t wait for our customers to get their hands on it and see what makes it special." — Whit // Co-Founder
Rabble Rouser Has New Life
First published on Bass Fishing Archives on Jan. 15, 2023. Story #5.
Rabble Rouser, 1977 Out-House catalog.
The 1970s-era Rabble Rouser Lures company produced one of the most unusual-looking baits ever marketed in the U.S.. The bug-eyed lure with the “bar ice scoop” nose shape was unique. It compelled anglers to either open their wallets or shake their heads at this weird-looking bait. Those who did open their wallets, however, found Rabble Rousers to be effective fish catching lures. But the company didn’t last and vintage Rabble Rouser lures are now collectible objects that attract retro-minded anglers. But lo, the old Rabble Rouser has new life with a modern company that is producing an updated version of the old bait. First, let’s take a brief look at the old Rabble Rouser Lures company.
Doug Parker
Doug Parker is the man who designed the Rabble Rouser. Parker’s life story is pretty inspiring. I have to concur with Mike McCabe of Angling Archaeology, who declares that Parker’s life is more like that of “the most interesting man in the world” than of a simple fishing lure designer. Briefly, Doug Parker was a WWII fighter pilot; had degrees in zoology and geology; worked for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; achieved his law degree and was known as the best trial lawyer in Arkansas; and was a member of several church and Fort Smith community boards and commissions (and taught Sunday School for 25 years). He was also a 32nd degree Mason and a Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver award winner. Additionally, Parker played a big role in the development of Sugar Loaf Lake, Sebastian Lake and the James Fork Reservoir.
Doug Parker, creator of the Rabble Rouser lure.
It’s a wonder the man found time to do any fishing at all, let alone develop a line of popular lures. But fishing was one of Parker’s passions, and in 1951 he carved his first Rabble Rouser lure. The lure and company really came into its own and grew in popularity in the mid-1970s. The company line expanded and added several different lures. These included the Ransacker (a kind of sinking lipless crankbait), deep diving Roo-Tur (later called Rooter), medium depth Rouster, shallow diving Baby Rowdy, rattling crankbaits Baby Ashley and Deep Baby Ashley, a Hellbender mimic called the Di-Dapper, a multi-use spinnerbait/jig called the Rabbler, and of course the original topwater Rabble Rouser. There were around a dozen or so color schemes to choose from.
The company dissolved in the 1980s. That’s a little unfortunate, given that while the lures weren’t as popular as some other baits on the market, they did seem to have a pretty solid following and were quite memorable. They even won a couple of tournaments.
New Rabble Rouser Company
Now onto the new Rabble Rouser Fishing Lures company. Started in 2013 by Gary LaDuke, the story of the company’s inception is an interesting one. LaDuke was part of a loose group of anglers who fished the St. Clair river, though they all fished separately and from their own boats. Back in the day, Gary says there were 30 or so boats that fished the river regularly. They all kept in contact with one another via CB radios. At that time they were fishing primarily for walleyes. If someone in the group caught a good fish on a specific lure or certain color, the angler would announce it over the CB. Several times, Gary recounted, some of the older anglers would announce something like, “Caught on a red and white RR!” Trouble was, according to LaDuke, the younger anglers didn’t know what RR meant. So at some point he asked one of the older guys what exactly they were referring to. “Rabble Rousers!” was the reply. Well, it turned out that all of the older guys had Rabble Rousers in their tackle boxes but none of the younger guys had them.
Vintage Rabble Rouser courtesy of the Retro Bassin' YouTube channel.
Vintage Rabble Rouser courtesy of the Retro Bassin' YouTube channel.
So the search for original Rabble Rousers was on. But unfortunately the company was no longer in business and Rabble Rousers were tough to find. Necessity being the mother of invention, two fellows connected to the group contacted Doug Parker. Parker gave the partners his written approval to produce a new Rabble Rouser bait. They built the molds – a costly endeavor in itself – and started to work making new Rabble Rousers. They marketed the new RR under a short-lived business called Pop’s Lures. The partners had a falling out and production ceased, whereupon Gary LaDuke stepped in and took the reins. Bob VanBuskirk, one of the two men who formed Pop’s Lures, worked for LaDuke. VanBuskirk gave LaDuke the go-ahead to continue producing the lures, using the molds he and his partner had made. LaDuke also copywrited the name Rabble Rouser and began producing the bait under that name.
Making New Baits
Gary indicates that his lures do not have the textured side ribbing of the old Rabble Rousers due to patent guidelines. Other than that the old and new lures are pretty much identical in appearance. Gary is also determined that every component of the lure be made in the U.S.A.. Eagle Claw, the hook supplier, is currently delaying production of the preferred hook model. This is causing some concern for the company.
Unfinished Rabble Rousers as they come out of the mold.
The process of forming a Rabble Rouser is not difficult, although it is a multi-step operation. The first step is injecting ABS plastic for the eyes and halves of the lures into the molds. Next, the hardware is installed and the two halves glued together by hand using MEK solvent. The eyes are then attached in the same manner. Once the solvent evaporates and the ABS plastic cures, the lures are hand-painted and a clear-coat applied. Then the hooks are attached and the lures are packaged and ready to go.
Unfinished Rabble Rousers pre-hardware, eye installation and painting.
Unfortunately, the new Rabble Rouser company has no plans to expand the line beyond the original topwater/shallow diving lure. I wouldn’t, however, be surprised if some other company – possibly a Japanese lure company – began producing lures similar to those in the original company’s mid-1970s expanded line. The aesthetics of the Rooter, Rouster and Baby Rowdy seem to be in keeping with some of the wild lure designs coming out of Japan these days. Also, a lot of Japanese lure designers appear to have a fondness for vintage bass lures.
Fishing the Rabble Rouser
The Rabble Rouser is a fish catching lure. LaDuke declared that they’ve caught everything from smallmouth bass to muskies and even catfish on it. There are 78 color patterns to choose from. Gary is adamant that fish see color, and he’s determined to produce as many color schemes as he can. He states that his four personal favorite color patterns are Fire Tiger (#27), Chrome Clown (#102), Chrome Black Headed Wonderbread (#140) and Mrs. Vampire (#141). “Big Minnow Mike” McCabe’s YouTube channel, Angling Archaeology, has released two videos dedicated to the Rabble Rouser. The first video spotlights the original lure from the 1970s. The second, follow-up video (“Old School Rabble Rouser vs The New Rereleased Rabble Rouser. Which is Better?”) focuses on an on-the-water head-to-head comparison between the old and the new lures. The second video’s conclusion is that there is no real discernible difference in the performance of the two baits. Both catch bass and are essentially the same lure. The only noticeable difference is the surface texture of the baits. That and the fact that there are a whole lot more colors available to the modern version.
Rabble Rouser Lure Company logo.
For those of us who enjoy fishing with vintage baits it’s pretty great that the option is available to acquire a modern recreation of an old lure. Whether it’s the Canadian Wiggler or the Rabble Rouser, it’s fantastic that there are companies like these that are producing vintage-style, effective fishing baits. I want to thank Mike McCabe here as well, for his help with some of the history concerning Doug Parker and the original Rabble Rouser company.
Super Comfortable Pullover from Free Fly
Yours truly in the Free Fly Gridback Fleece Snap Pullover…that’s a mouth-full.
Last month I had the opportunity to try out a couple pieces of clothing from Free Fly, a family-owned apparel company that makes clothing for those who live and move in the great outdoors. I’m always eager to try something new, because it’s tough for me to find clothes that are comfortable, durable, long-lasting, look good and feel good. For example, I have a horrible time finding jeans that fit well and stay comfortable over the long haul. Thus, I’ve given up on most blue-jeans, although there is a brand I’m currently trying out to see how they fair (I’m wearing a pair in the photo above). So my go-to pants right now are Duluth Trading Company Fire Hose pants. Love those pants.
Same with shirts. I don’t know if my arms are too long or what, but I often have a hard time finding shirts that fit well and that can withstand the rough time I give them hunting, fishing, cutting trees, and working outside. I love flannel, but it’s a challenge finding a shirt with sleeves and tail long enough, and one that won’t lose color or fray. So anyway, the two Free Fly shirts I tried were interesting. One I’m so-so on, and the other I absolutely love.
First the neutral shirt. It’s their Bamboo Shade Hoodie. I don’t dislike this shirt at all. It’s a great shirt for what it is supposed to do, which according to the website is:
We named our Shade fabric after the impressive UPF 50+ rating that keeps you firmly outta the sun. The Bamboo Shade Hoodie is buttery soft, loaded with stretch, and offers natural odor-resistance suited for travel or an active lifestyle. It’s also temperature-regulating, so it’ll keep you that just-right temp when the forecast (or your office A.C.) throws you for a loop. It’s got a handsome drape and clean lines that go well with both your everyday and active wardrobes. Bonus: it makes a solid base layer when chilly temps roll around.
It does everything as advertised. It is indeed buttery soft, was wonderfully warm on a chilly day (I actually ended up removing my outer flannel even though the temperature was in the mid-50s). And I’ll probably wear it again as an underlayer. But for me, I just didn’t care for the way it looked. I got the Aspen Grey colored shirt, and while I do have a very muscular and athletic physique, it happens to be covered in a luscious layer of hard-earned bacon fat. I felt like this shirt accentuated my non-alcoholic beer belly. And I’m not sure the $74 price tag is justified for such a lightweight hoodie. But if you’re a person who likes that kind of hoodie, then by all means this one might fit your needs. But for me, it’s one that I’ll likely only break out on chilly days with an outer flannel.
Here’s the link to the Bamboo Shade Hoodie: https://freeflyapparel.com/products/mens-bamboo-shade-hoodie-heather-aspen-grey
Now onto the pullover that I really, really like, the Gridlock Fleece Snap Pullover. This pullover has become my favorite all-around top for all but the hottest days. It feels, looks and fits fantastic and thus far wears beautifully. My wife says I look great in it and, frankly, I think I look pretty darn good in it too. When I first took it out of the bag I thought it might wear a little short, but no, it fits perfectly. The sleeves fit perfectly as well. It’s snug without being constricting, and moves easily no matter if I’m reaching high into a tree or bending down and twisting to pull a bass in from the back of the boat.
The Gridlock Pullover has a subtly quilted texture that also doesn’t really feel like you might think a “fleece” would feel. It feels more like a flannel to me. It’s soft and warm. And the collar is the perfect height if you want to put it up to keep the cold off the back of your neck, or down for stylish comfort. It’s got five snaps up front that look good and can be snapped or unsnapped to regulate the temperature on your neck and chest.
Here’s the blurb that Free Fly has about the Gridlock Pullower:
One of the most coveted styles around Free Fly HQ, the Gridback Fleece Snap Pullover is an absolute winner—an innovative combo of classic fleece comfort and streamlined weather-resistance. Our product team worked their fabric sorcery and outfitted the interior with an indulgently soft, high-pile fleece that traps and retains heat throughout gridded channels. They finished it with a bonded, stretch-weave shell that keeps out rain and wind unlike any other fleece. Wear it as an outer layer on brisk hikes or early morning boat rides, or pair it with our Stretch Canvas Pant for your next beer garden visit.
I really can’t say enough good things about this shirt. It seems rugged enough to handle working on just about anything outside, yet stylish and classy enough to work as a casual go-to-church shirt. The only thing that gives me a little pause is the price tag. It’s marked at $148, which generally puts it out of my price range. But Free Fly has discounts and sales going on seemingly pretty regularly. I know that if this pullover cost less I’d own several.
Here’s the link to the Gridlock Fleece Snap Pullover: https://freeflyapparel.com/products/mens-gridback-fleece-snap-pullover-black
Virgil Ward Bass Fishing’s First Media Superstar
First published on Bass Fishing Archives on Dec. 13, 2022. Story #4.
Virgil Ward's Championship Fishing Guide, circa late 1960s early 1970s.
When I was a little kid, I spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm. My grandpa was a passionate fisherman. I remember staying at their farmhouse every summer and when grandpa wasn’t in the barn, field, or workshop he was probably on the water. And on those rare weekends when he didn’t have a fishing outing planned, I remember grandpa sitting in the living room and all of us kids lying on the wood floor watching Virgil Ward’s Championship Fishing show on the old television set. After church, Sundays were “fishing on TV.” Of course, Ward didn’t have the only fishing show on TV, but he was one of the early pioneers of that medium. Nowadays, with YouTube fishing channels as common as kids and bluegills, most anglers under 50 probably have no clue that Virgil Ward was one of bass fishing’s first media superstars.
Virgil Ward’s rise to the top of the fishing world was quite a journey for a poor kid from Missouri who grew up during the Great Depression. In fact, when Virgil married his high school sweetheart, Cleda, they were so poor that they couldn’t afford either a wedding photograph or a washing machine. This short essay, however, isn’t a biography of the man; suffice to say that Virgil rose to become a national celebrity and media superstar from very humble beginnings.
"This is the studio where each show was put together after around 1970-‘71. Before that it was in one of the small bedrooms in our little house in Amsterdam, where I have memories as a kid, of him working at the editing bench into the wee hours of the morning, after he got home from filming all over the country." Caption from Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing Facebook page.
Virgil’s biography can be found in several online sources and following are a few of the places where you can learn more about this incredible man. One good online source is Dan Galusha’s website. Galusha knew Virgil personally and was instrumental in putting together the excellent PBS documentary “The World of Virgil Ward” (click the link to watch this video, it’s well worth it). There’s also an interesting Facebook page titled Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing, which is maintained by Virgil’s youngest grandson Eric Curnutte. The site has a lot of great old photographs of Virgil.
Finally, our friend Chris over at his Retro Bassin’ YouTube channel has at least one episode dedicated to Virgil Ward. It’s titled “Fishing it OLD SCHOOL with Virgil Ward and the Bass Buster BEETLE SPIN.”
Virgil Ward stringer of largemouth bass before the days of catch and release. Photo courtesy of Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing Facebook page.
Virgil Ward and what appears to be a big Florida largemouth bass. Photo courtesy of Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing Facebook page.
To say that Virgil Ward had an influence on bass fishing and fishing culture in general would be to grossly understate his impact. His newspaper columns, radio show and ultimately his television show brought fishing to the masses. And his media empire didn’t attract only fishermen. Virgil’s courteous and soft-spoken manner attracted all kinds of people, and his programs often featured more than just fishing. Virgil educated viewers on the wonders of nature and shared the beautiful scenery of the places he visited. He also had famous entertainment and sports celebrities as his guests and fishing partners. In short, Virgil Ward’s Championship Fishing was entertaining and educational, whether you fished or not, and the viewing public genuinely liked this gentleman from Missouri.
Virgil Ward had the opportunity to fish with several celebrities of the day. Here he is with Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose. Photo courtesy of Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing Facebook page.
A familiar scene with Virgil Ward featuring a lure in his studio tank showing how specific baits work in the water. Photo courtesy of Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing Facebook page.
Of course, fishing was the primary subject of Virgil’s programs. At a time when there weren’t a lot of fishing shows on television, Championship Fishing filled a niche. It also spawned a good number of similar fishing-centric programs. For example, after appearing on Championship Fishing, Ron and Al Lindner directly credited Virgil as the inspiration they needed to start their own highly successful fishing show.
But Virgil wasn’t only a pro angler with a TV show, he was also a lure inventor who saw success with several of his bait patents via his equally successful Bass Buster Lure Company, which he started in 1950. Lures that Virgil created or patented are still in production today. One of those is the marabou jig, a highly effective lure, especially for smallmouth bass. Back in the 1970s marabou jigs were hugely popular as smallmouth baits. While today other lures have ascended in popularity, marabou jigs are still being produced and marketed, and are still highly effective bass catchers.
Virgil Ward showing off some of his proven Bass Buster baits. Photo courtesy of Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing Facebook page.
Back in the 1960s, stationwagons were the standard tow vehicle. Here Virgil Ward shows off a rod in front of his Championship Fishing stationwagon. Photo courtesy of Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing Facebook page.
The bait innovation that Virgil Ward should, in my opinion, be most heralded for – because it is ubiquitous today – is the fiber weed guard on jigs. Virgil is largely credited with its invention, but I have been unable to find the patent or any substantiating information on this claim, although Galusha maintains that Ward did indeed patent the fiber weedguard. But I have also yet to find any source that declares anyone other than Virgil Ward came up with the idea. Fiber weed guards are a standard part of many jigs today, and there’s little doubt that every jig angler has a good assortment of weedguard-adorned jigs on hand when he or she hits the water.
But while most anglers are probably ignorant of who came up with the fiber weed guard, I’m betting more of them are at least somewhat aware of the origins of the long-lasting Beetle Spin. Inexpensive and modest in design, the Beetle Spin might be the most enduring legacy, as far as fishing baits are concerned, of the Bass Buster Lure Company.
Virgil Ward not only had an award winning show, he had a magazine of the same name, Championship fishing, which began in the winter of 1974.
Virgil Ward had the opportunity to fish with several celebrities of the day. Here he is with actor Fred MacMurray. Photo courtesy of Virgil Ward and Championship Fishing Facebook page.
Most sources credit Virgil with the invention of the Beetle Spin around 1958. Others credit Chuck Wood with its invention in the early 1960s, saying that Virgil saw and liked the design and developed it for mass production. Curnutte sent me a thoughtful reply to my inquiry about the origins of the Beetle Spin:
I believe the consensus was always that my grandfather developed the beetle spin. I do not want to take away from the legacy of Chuck Wood, but it seems there is very little known about him. I do think the Beetle body itself may have been influenced by him. The suggestion that the Beetle Spin and marabou jig were not solely from Virgil seemed to come about some time after his passing in 2004. This is reflected by some of Ned Kehde’s articles with In-Fisherman. I think Mr. Kehde is a great writer and historian but a writer can be at the mercy of their sources. If you look at the older packaging of the Bass Buster Beetle Spin and marabou jig, they say “Designed and Recommended by Virgil Ward.”
In any event, Virgil Ward and Bass Buster brought the Beetle Spin to the fishing public. Bass Buster was later sold to the Johnson Wax company and the Beetle Spin is still in production with Johnson Fishing, a testament to its effectiveness as a fish-catching bait.
Virgil Ward also helped to popularize the Catch-and-Release ethic that is so widespread today. His efforts to publicize the conservation of fishing resources on his Championship Fishing program were quite effective in spreading the ethos to the broader angling world. While he certainly didn’t originate the idea of taking care of our waterways or catch-and-release, Virgil’s Championship Fishing show was seen by millions of people every week, and his voice was a powerful and influential one.
Virgil Ward and his show Championship Fishing was sponsored by Bass Pro Shops.
He is also, of course, a member of the International Fishing Hall of Fame, the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, a Dolphin Award recipient, and in 1975, Missouri Governor Christopher S. Bond officially designated October 19 as “Virgil Ward Day.” In formalizing the event Bond declared, “Virgil Ward, through his many efforts, has made an invaluable contribution to Missouri Tourism, and has made millions of Americans aware of the world of fishing.”
Not bad for a poor boy from Missouri.
I wonder how many anglers will remember the melody that goes with the following lyrics to the Championship Fishing theme song:
“From the lakes of northern Canada
To the Gulf of Mexico.
Wherever fish are biting
That’s where we’re going to go.
There’s a lot of exciting country
Just waiting to be explored.
So join us now in the great outdoors,
The World of Virgil Ward.”
Fall Colors in Northern Wisconsin
Last week my wife and I spent a couple days in Northern Wisconsin, fishing, dining, walking, and driving around the country enjoying the beautiful fall colors. We hit the region at just the right time, as the trees were a veritable paint box of color and the weather was gorgeous. Here are a few images from out trip.
And below are three videos that really show the colors. The videos definitely look best when viewed on a cell phone, rather than on a laptop or computer. The large size on a computer seems to blur things a bit. Hope you all are having a wonderful autumn season!
The BASSMasters Techniques That Catch Bass
Bass Fishing Archives - story #3, originally published Nov. 2, 2022.
BASSMasters Techniques That Catch Bass is just one of the many How-To books published by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society over the years.
The 1970s and 80s saw a proliferation of bass fishing publications, including a series of how-to books put out by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. The BASSmasters Techniques That Catch Bass is one book from that series. First published in 1977, the book was edited and partly authored by former BASSMaster Magazine editor Bob Cobb. The book is a fascinating instructional volume featuring several of the era’s top professional bass anglers. Fascinating because you can really tell what these guys were thinking at the time, as you often get the “how-tos” directly from the anglers themselves, in their own words.
BASSMasters Techniques That Catch Bass Contents.
The book contains 14 chapters and is 176 pages in length. The chapters cover everything from shallow water fishing to targeting suspended bass, springtime to winter bass tactics, spinnerbaits to crankbaits, flippin’ to slider fishing, marking hot spots on big lakes to farm pond fishing, and more. It’s a great overview of the popular techniques and tactics of the era, featuring personalities such as Ricky Green, Jimmy Houston, Bob Cobb, Billy Westmorland, Buck Perry and Charlie Brewer, to name a few. Let’s take a brief look at a few of the chapters in this book.
The second chapter is titled “The New King of the Shallow-Water Pros?” highlighting Jimmy Houston and is, in my opinion, worth the price of the book alone. At the time of publication (1977) Houston, who’s pictured on the cover of the book, was a 31-year-old sensation who had won the “Bass Angler of the Year” one year earlier.
From the chapter, "The New King of the Shallow-Water Pros?" BASSMasters Techniques That Catch Bass Pages 34 and 35.
The chapter covers Houston’s speed fishing approach and his underhand casting method in some depth, as well as his preferred tournament winning baits (special attention to the spinnerbait). Much of it is in Houston’s own words, which makes for an engaging read. It’s interesting particularly given that at the time Houston was in the relatively early stages of his lengthy career. He had achieved national acclaim for his Bass Angler of the Year award and would go on to even more accolades for his success in professional bass fishing, book publication and his television show.
It’s fun to look at some of the photos of Houston fishing back then, looking trim and stylish at the front of his boat, wearing a short sleeve shirt adorned with fishing patches, stars on the wide collar and white bell-bottom pants.
From the chapter, "They Ain't Always On Top of Bottom!" BASSMasters Techniques That Catch Bass Pages 64 and 65.
“Right Rig For the Tough Times” takes a look at light tackle. Coming on the heels when power fishing with stout gear was pretty much the norm in bass fishing, light and ultra-light rods and reels, and small lures were becoming more popular thanks to its use by men like Charlie Brewer, Bill Dance and Billy Westmorland. Light gear became something of a craze back in the mid-1970s, with everyone seeming to grab hold of lighter tackle not only for its fish catching abilities but also because it was just a lot of fun fighting fish on the lighter stuff.
BASSMasters Techniques That Catch Bass Pages 72 and 73.
Nowadays light tackle is old hat, but back then it was still a little unusual in the bass fishing world. This chapter gives a general overview of the then-new approach, the rods, reels, line, lures and techniques to use when more bass anglers were adopting light tackle. It’s also interesting to note that a couple of the reels mentioned in this chapter, the old Zebco Cardinal 3 and Garcia Ambassadeur 2500C, both sell for hundreds of dollars now on eBay.
And how’s this for a segue? One of the anglers most important to the new light and ultra-light fishing trend was the aforementioned Charlie Brewer. It’s appropriate that the chapter “You Can Do Nothing, and Catch Bass,” featuring Brewer and his Slider Fishing “Do Nothing” approach, immediately follows the section on light tackle.
Utilizing a question-and-answer format, this chapter also presents Brewer discussing the subject directly. For example, when asked why his slower presentation works so well, Brewer answered in folksy style;
It seems that 90 percent of the time we go fishing fish aren’t real active. If on a wild feeding spree, nearly anyone can catch fish. Unfortunately, most fishing seems to be when they “ain’t biting.” Then, we have to grind ‘em out the hard way. When fish are idle or dormant, this method is one of “feed ‘em dessert” or “temp ‘em to bite.” To fool these not too active fish, we must be super-duper salesmen.
Brewer’s techniques don’t seem to be quite as ground-breaking or popular as they were in 1977, but the Slider Fishing Company is still in business and has a devoted following, especially among a growing number of anglers who enjoy a simpler, even retro approach. Other than his own book on the subject, Slider Fishin’ (also published by B.A.S.S. in 1978) this short chapter might be one of the most detailed looks at this approach you’ll find. I’ve never used the Slider method of fishing, but I’ve been intrigued by it ever since I watched a couple of videos on the Retro Bassin’ YouTube channel.
“Inches Can Indeed Make the Difference” covers a tried-and-true presentation: Flippin’. While just about everyone nowadays knows about flippin’, back in the mid-1970s it was kind of revolutionary in tournament bass fishing. Thanks to 1975 Arkansas Invitational winner Dee Thomas, flippin’ has become a staple in just about every pro angler’s box of tricks. It’s a quiet, soft presentation that allows an angler to get close to bass and drop a lure right into its living room.
From "Inches Can Indeed Make The Difference!" BASSMasters Techniques That Catch Bass Pages 96 and 97.
