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.
Chapter author Bob Cobb covers the history, gear, techniques and philosophy of Thomas’ flippin’ method. It’s a wonderful peek into bass fishing’s history, when creative-minded anglers were coming up with unusual tactics to try to win tournaments. To read about a technique when it was fresh and new is pretty neat, as it captures some of the excitement and energy of the era.
While just about every chapter in Techniques That Catch Bass is a good one from both a historical and practical perspective, I’m going to touch on just one more. “How to Plow for Farm Pond Bass” is one that especially interested me. I’ve fished ponds quite a bit over the years, and have a fondness for those small, unnamed little bodies of water that generally see little, if any, action from other anglers.
Author Pete Elkins is a man after my own heart. “I continued the same pattern of short, accurate casts designed to cover every foot of the water,” Elkins recounts after one farm pond excursion. “When I finally called it quits two hours later, I had caught and released over 20 largemouths, including one bruiser just a shade over eight pounds!”
While I have yet to catch an 8-pounder, I have caught similar numbers from such hidden bodies of water. Focusing on murky water ponds, wading and throwing noisy lures like spinnerbaits, Elkins outlines an effective approach to making ponds pay dividends. He indicates that “plowing” the pond, that is, covering a lot of water in a systematic, thorough manner, is one of the keys to success. I agree.
I have to say that it’s kind of encouraging to see a chapter dedicated to fishing small farm ponds in a BASSMasters book highlighting professional tournament anglers and their techniques. This is the kind of thing that brings bass fishing back to the non-professional, weekend fisherman – the guy who may not own a big rig or have thousands of dollars’ worth of gear, but who nevertheless enjoys hitting the water with just as much passion and purpose as the guys who can afford all the flashy gear. Hats off to BASSMasters for reinforcing that bass fishing is for everyone, regardless of career or finances. The techniques discussed in Techniques That Catch Bass can be used by anyone to catch ol’ bucketmouth.
You can still find and purchase affordable copies of the book via the usual online sources. It’s an easy, enjoyable read and is worth adding to your bass fishing library.
Do You Remember These Classic Fishing Reels?
A couple old short pieces rolled into one. I wrote these light articles 7 or 8 years ago. At the time I didn’t really know a whole lot, as you can tell from the superficial descriptions of each reel.
The history of modern fishing is really the history of the fishing reel. Let's take a look at some of the classic fishing reels of the last century. Do you remember any of these?
Penn Spinfisher 700
Introduced in 1961 the Penn Spinfisher 700 was known as the "Finest Surf Spinning Reel." It quickly became a favorite reel for surf fishermen and saltwater anglers. This heavyweight reel was an eye-catcher with its distinctive mint green color.
The Spinfisher was a monster, a tank-like reel that could withstand the abuse of hardcore saltwater fishing. It had a line capacity of 250 yards of 20-pound monofilament. I've even seen various iterations of the model 700 used on Lake Michigan by chinook salmon anglers. Penn is a time- and experience-honored name in saltwater fishing, with more than 1,400 IGFA world records set using Penn reels. Today, the company manufactures over 220 different reel models.
If you're lucky you might find the occasional Spinfisher 700 at a garage sale. Or you can purchase them online as there is something of a collector's market for them. If you do get into collecting Penn Spinfisher reels, be sure to keep an eye out for a vintage Penn 700 silver or gold tie clasp. These little items will likely cost more than the reel itself.
Source: Reel Repair by Alan Tani
Zebco 33
One of the best selling fishing reels of all time, the Zebco 33 spincasting reel has manufactured more than 40 million units since it was first introduced to the angling public in 1954.
It was invented by R.D. Hull when, according to legend, he witnessed a strand of twine fall to the floor from its spool. Designed to hold 10-pound test line, the model 33 is classified as a medium weight fishing reel. Its closed-face, anti-backlash qualities made it a great choice for beginning anglers, although experienced fishermen loved it too. My grandfather relied on it to catch many different species of fish.
The Zebco 33 has remained in production since it was first introduced. The new model has been redesigned and updated to include improved line pick-up and bearings, a modernized drag system and gear train, and greater line capacity. An Auto Bait Alert also audibly notifies the fisherman when a fish tugs the line. At a suggest retail price of between $18 and $35, the Zebco 33 is affordable enough for any angler looking to fish with a classic reel.
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 5000
Abu Garcia unveiled their new Ambassadeur 5000 fishing reel at the 1954 New York World's Fair. Made in Sweden, the reel was a trailblazer, starting a revolution in the fishing world. Its $45 retail price was hefty in the Eisenhower years, but the reel was so innovative and so beautifully crafted that the company sold hundreds of thousands of them. This was a reel that almost guaranteed an angler would catch more fish.
Its red color was distinctive, but it was the reel's innovations that set it apart from every other reel on the market. Featuring an anti-reverse mechanism, star drag, centrifugal brake, level wind and a push-button free spool design that disengaged the spool from the handle, the Ambassadeur laid the foundation for all subsequent baitcasting reels.
Source: realsreels.com
It could also easily handle monofilament fishing line. Mono had been around for a couple of decades, but braided Dacron line was still the most popular fishing line in use. It wasn't until 1959 and the introduction of Stren brand monofilament fishing line that mono really took off. The Abu Ambassadeur seemed made for monofilament. It was a space-age reel that could comfortably handle a space-age fishing line.
Abu Garcia has manufactured four million Ambassadeur 5000s since they were first introduced. The iconic red color finally gave way to the Ambassadeur 5000C with a black finish and ball bearings in 1968.
There is a healthy collectible market for Ambassadeur 5000 reels, and they still perform well today. They are reliable and they look cool, two characteristics that endear them to anglers with a love for vintage fishing gear. I own four or five Ambassadeurs, including one that my Dad owned and fished with. I treasure them.
Here's a wonderful vintage demo commercial showing the Ambassadeur 5000 in action:
Pflueger Medalist
Fly fishing enthusiasts have their own classic fishing reels to remember. The Pflueger Medalist is the fly reel that fits that bill. The Medalist has been around for nearly a century, having first appeared in the Pflueger catalog in 1931. The reel was made in Akron, Ohio until 1979 when production moved to China. The Medalist was the first reel for many fly fishermen. It was simple in construction, aesthetically appealing, and affordable. This reel featured a click-pawl drag system in the early years of its production, but in 1938 an adjustable drag system was added.
The Medalist underwent a few changes over the years, while still maintaining its basic reliability. For example, the growing popularity of the spinning reel changed America's preference from right-hand reeling to left-hand reeling. Pflueger adapted to that change in the late 1950s by producing the Medalist as a left-hand winding fly fishing reel.
Pflueger has been a powerhouse fishing tackle company since its founding in 1880. The Medalist was just one classic, stand-out product that has stood the test of time. Many anglers cut their teeth on trout streams casting a fly rod with a Medalist. It still performs admirably wherever anglers choose to wet a fly line.
Source: freestonevintagetackle.com
Mitchell 300
The Mitchell 300 spinning fishing reel is one of the most popular fishing reels ever. In 1970 12,000 Mitchell reels were being manufactured each day. By 1990 over 30 million Mitchell 300 reels had been sold worldwide. The Mitchell reel was invented in the mid- to late-1930s by Maurice Jacquenim, a young engineer from the Avre Valley in France. While the reel had been invented and was being produced in France for several years, it wasn't until 1947 that the patent was applied for and the reel began achieving worldwide distribution and popularity. This reel was named after Maurice Jacquimin's son Michel, but French law prohibited proper names from being used as product brand names. Michel thus became Mitchell. The Mitchell, as it was popularly known, could cast farther and more smoothly than any spinning reel that came before it.
It had an interchangeable left- or right-hand reeling handle, could retrieve line without tangling, and was so easy to use that even inexperienced anglers quickly mastered it. So many Mitchells were sold that it's relatively easy to find ones in excellent condition and in good working order. Many even come in their original boxes. I own at least a half-dozen, including the same one I used as a kid. It's in good condition and still functions beautifully.
The legacy of the Mitchell 300 is one of introducing many new anglers to the sport. The reel's simplicity, easy and reliable operation, and inexpensive price made sure that at one time practically every angler in America owned a Mitchell. Nearly two thirds of all fishing reels sold today are spinning reels. That too is in large part thanks to the success of the Mitchell 300. Since its initial release the reel has been updated many times. It's still being produced today, although it doesn't look the same as that old black workhorse used by kids and grownups across the country.
June 17, 1974 Garcia Mitchell 300DL. Source: MitchellReelMuseum
PART II
Pflueger Akron Model 1893
Ernest A. Pflueger began his fishing tackle company, the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, in Akron, Ohio in 1880 or 1881. The business was an instant success, soon becoming one of the biggest fishing companies in America. Inevitably the company changed its name to the E.A. Pflueger Company.
In addition to finding success with fishing lures and other tackle, Pflueger manufactured a number of excellent fishing reels. The Pflueger Akron baitcasting reel was the most widely sold quadruple multiplying reel. First introduced in 1905 as a non-level-wind reel, it came in four different reel models with differing line capacities. The initial Akron model was produced from 1905 to 1913. They can be identified by their ivory handles.
The Akron model 1893 was reintroduced more than once during the first half of the 20th century. These models can be differentiated by mostly cosmetic changes, such as the handle color and material. The popular model 1893 was reintroduced in 1932 and featured polished "diamolite" with green pyralin plastic handles. That is the model pictured here, which I own, complete with its original box and owner's manual.
Diamolite offers an interesting sidebar, peculiar to Pflueger. According to a study I found on fishing rods and reels metallurgy,
"Diamolite is the Pflueger owned, registered, proprietary name for a mysterious alloy (or alloy and treatment) which appears to be some type of stainless steel. Presumably a search of U.S. Patents would reveal it's composition. Amazingly, there is NO information on it available from a search of that word on the internet. The only returns come if linked to the name Pflueger.
Diamolite is highly polished, silvery, corrosion resistant, and very, very hard. To typical fishing reel use it seems to be completely scratch and abrasion resistant. It must also be inexpensive. Pflueger used it for at least 50 years for some of the least expensive, utilitarian, indestructible fly reels ever made."
The Akron 1893 was produced until around 1971. It is a common and popular collectible reel. In good condition they are inexpensive, running around $25-$30.
Zebco One
Sometime in the 1940's R.D. Hull walked into a butcher shop. He saw the butcher yank a length of line from a large spindle with which to tie off wrapped cuts of meat for customers. No matter how quickly the man pulled the line it came off smoothly and without a hitch.
This gave R.D., a watchmaker and inventor, an idea that revolutionized sport fishing. Hull wanted to solve two things that challenged anglers: 1) make casting a line smoother and easier and 2) make retrieving the cast line equally smooth and easy. Thus was born the spincasting reel, and the ability to cast literally with push button ease. Hull designed a great many fishing reels during his tenure at Zebco, and the Zebco One has his fingerprints all over it.
The reel pictured below is mine. It is the original Zebco One, produced in, I believe, 1973. Below is a picture of the reel from the company's 1975 catalog. The featured image at the top of this article shows a Zebco One from the 1976 catalog. The name plates are different on each of these reels, which is one way to date them. The Zebco One was one of the smoothest reels the company produced, and was very popular. Its production ran from 1973 to 1976, before it mutated into the Omega line of reels.
Abu Garcia 444 spinning reel
Abu Garcia began as a world class watch making company. They took that precision expertise and transferred it to the fishing world, making some of the finest, most durable fishing reels in the world. The ABU 444 was the company's first fixed spool spinning reel. It was first introduced in 1955. The Abu 444 was in production for 25 years if you consider its variant, the Abu 333 as part of the production.
The reel featured a push button spool release, an offset drag adjustment and an anti-reverse lever. These innovations were groundbreaking and were copied by other companies. The original Abu 444 was made in Sweden and are rare. The company eventually moved production America. Here it received wide popularity following on the heels of the highly successful Abu Ambassadeur 5000 baitcasting reel the year prior. Ten years after the introduction of the Abu 444, in 1965, the company introduced its iconic Cardinal series.
Source: www.realsreels.com/
Shakespeare Tru-Art Automatic fly fishing reel
The Shakespeare Company was founded by William Shakespeare Jr. in 1897, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1970 the company moved to Columbia, South Carolina. Shakespeare is known for a number of fishing tackle and equipment products, including their very popular Ugly Stik fishing rod, first introduced in 1976 and still in production today.
The Shakespeare Silent Automatic Tru-Art fly fishing reel is a relic from the 1960s. Automatic fly reel use peaked during that era. These days most anglers prefer single action, manual fly reels. But during the age of the 1960s space race and burgeoning technological advancements, the automatic reel was seen as very modern and cool.
It operates on a spring-driven mechanism. The spring is wound as line is pulled out of the reel, and is recovered by pressing a trigger, not unlike an automatic tape measure retrieve. These kinds of reels aren't heavily manufactured today, but a couple of companies still make them. They're good for anglers with hand and arm mobility issues, who may have trouble controlling the line manually. In fact, automatic fly reels have been used by Project Healing Waters, an organization that uses fly fishing as a healing and rehabilitation method for disabled veterans.
If you're a fly fisherman it might be fun to play around with one of these relics from time to time. You can still find them online or occasionally at garage sales for cheap prices.
Shakespeare Wondereel spincasting reel
Shakespeare gave the Wondereel name to several of its reels, including its baitcasting and spincasting models. The baitcaster (1939) came before the spincaster, and I can't say why the company used the name for different reel models. The baitcaster (below) boasted a "backlash brake" and was a popular seller.
As best I can tell, the first Wondereel spincaster was introduced in the 1940s. The Wondereel spincasting reel Model 1700 is the one shown below and was introduced sometime between 1969-1971. But even the spincasting format contained several different models under the Wondereel umbrella. Again, these reels, in whatever format and model they were marketed in, were very popular with anglers. Both of my grandfathers and my dad owned Wondereel spincasters. I even seem to recall my grandmother using one to fish bluegills (she loved fishing for bluegills).
The 1957 Popular Mechanics Shakespeare ad shown below presents an appealing sales pitch:
With Shakespeare's SPIN-WONDEREEL, the line is always at your fingertips; you simply pick up the line, back up the crank, and cast. So easy...so simple, you can operate it blindfolded. Even beginners can make long, effortless casts right from the start. No groping for a bail or knob; nothing exposed to foul the line. Smooth adjustable drag.
The model 1755L "non-reverse crank model" also came "factory-filled with 150 yards [of] new, extra-limp 6-lb. test Tynex monofilament line." It sold for $18.95.
Fred Arbogast – A Biography of Akron’s Greatest Angler
This is my second story for Bass Fishing Archives, a review of Kevin Virden’s biography of Fred Arbogast.
Originally published September 25, 2022.
Fred Arbogast, A Biography of Akron's Greatest Angler, by Kevin Virden.
I’m betting that just about everyone who follows Bass Fishing Archives has cast a line with a Jitterbug or Hula Popper tied to its end. These lures are a part of bass fishing lore, and are so effective that they’re still in production and still catching bass today. They and several other iconic baits are the brainchild of one of the best bait designers in history, Fred Arbogast. Fred’s life story is a fascinating one and is the subject of a fairly recent book by Kevin Virden, titled “Fred Arbogast: A Biography of Akron’s Greatest Angler.”
Virden’s biography of Arbogast was published in 2017 by The Whitefish Press, publishers of “a wide variety of books on fishing history and fishing tackle.” It’s an easy read that quickly and concisely covers a lot of ground in hitting the high points of Arbogast’s life in the field of sport fishing. But while it’s a relatively short book – 185 pages – don’t let its brevity fool you. Virden has loaded his biography with black & white photographs, a great many quotes from people in Fred’s life, and an extensive bibliography. The man has done his research.
Fred Arbogast, A Biography of Akron's Greatest Angler, by Kevin Virden. Pages 50 and 51.
Virden lays a solid foundation by spending the first three chapters exploring the Arbogast family tree, beginning in the 16th century with Hans Arbogast, a German forefather to Fred. It was a perilous time for the Arbogast clan, with constant wars in the region of Western Germany. But the family persevered and expanded, eventually growing a branch of the tree in America in the mid-18th century, when 13-year-old Michael Arbogast (Fred’s great-great-great-grandfather) came alone to the New World in 1749. The Arbogasts became prominent citizens and players in the development of the newly formed America, and their fortunes continued to improve over the generations. It’s really an interesting and important exploration, because it reveals the kind of creative, hard-working stock that eventually spawned Fred Arbogast, the studious angler and innovative lure designer.
What I found absolutely fascinating in Virden’s biography was his detailed exploration of competitive casting and Fred Arbogast’s mastery of the sport. While most of us are probably aware that tournament casting competitions take place today, I have to say that the widespread popularity of the sport in the early 1900s took me a bit by surprise. Apparently, tournament casting was immensely popular, with national and world championship competitions being attended by throngs of spectators and the results publicized by major publications of the day. Fred Arbogast was one of the top championship caliber casters of his era, breaking more than one world record during his competitive years.
Virden presents a detailed look into the sport, of course highlighting Arbogast’s success as one of its premier competitors. He beautifully illustrates how Fred used his success as a champion caster in his other angling pursuits: one, to improve his bass fishing, to the point where he became well known and respected as a consistent and highly successful angler, and two, to successfully promote the bait company he started toward the end of his competitive casting career. It is this bait company which introduced Fred Arbogast to the larger fishing public and put his name in the annals of famous lure designers.
Fred Arbogast, A Biography of Akron's Greatest Angler, by Kevin Virden. Pages 124 and 125.
A passionate bass fisherman from an early age Arbogast was also, like many other anglers, a tinkerer and at-home designer of fishing lures. It seems that many anglers made at least a few of their own lures during the Depression. What made Fred Arbogast different was his passion for bass fishing. To him it was more than just a hobby or a way to put food on the table. Virden explains that following a day of fishing with his father where the two came home without a single fish, Fred became fairly well obsessed with the desire to improve his fishing so that he’d never get skunked again. This meant studying bass behavior, perfecting his casting, and designing the most natural, life-like baits he could.
Virden devotes specific chapters to each of Arbogast’s early iconic lure designs: the Spin-tail Kicker, the Tin Liz and its various permutations, the Hawaiian Wiggler, the Jitterbug, the Hula Dancer, and of course the Hula Popper. His discussion of each is detailed and fascinating, as he explores not only the history of each lure, but the materials used, the details of its patent chronology, the advertising employed and more. For vintage bait obsessives this information is invaluable.
Fred Arbogast, A Biography of Akron's Greatest Angler, by Kevin Virden. Page 174.
Virden also discusses the inner workings and progression of the Arbogast company, from its early beginnings in Fred’s home to its later growth and ultimate purchase by PRADCO. He even has a chapter devoted to Arbogast’s fishing buddies, who played a significant role in both Fred’s personal life and in the history of his company. In short, Virden covers just about every aspect of Arbogast’s life and company that is angling related, and he does so in an engaging and enthusiastic style. It’s easy to see that Virden is a fan of Fred Arbogast, as his prose is littered with glowing references to Fred’s creative mind and acumen in the fishing lure business. It makes for fun reading and I found myself frequently smiling at Virden’s enthusiasm for his subject.
Fred Arbogast died way too young, at only 53 years of age. I can’t help but wonder what funky, imaginative and effective lures he would have designed had he lived longer. I will say that I won’t ever tie on a Jitterbug or Hula Popper again without thinking appreciatively of Fred Arbogast, “Akron’s greatest angler,” and his enormous contributions to the sport of bass fishing.
For Virden’s full list of books, you can find them for sale on his Amazon page. Trust me, you if you’re a fan of old bass fishing history, all of his books are worthy of reading.
Historic Outdoor People: John Muir, 'Father of the National Parks'
John Muir is one of the patron saints of the American wilderness.
Source: neh.gov
If ever the old saw about following your passion was apropos for a man, it was certainly apt advice for John Muir. Muir led a largely unremarkable life as a 19th century vagabond flower child of sorts, until he begin to put his thoughts into writing. It was with the written word that he changed the way many Americans viewed the natural world.
With the encouragement of friend and mentor Jeanne Carr, Muir wrote about the wilderness with elegance and zeal. His writings were rife with spiritual overtones and captured the imagination of millions of readers, readers who were ready to embrace his vision of the wilderness as a near-religious experience.
Muir's biography is well-documented and makes for an interesting read. But it is his later life's work that laid the groundwork for the enduring legacy Muir left. Born in 1838 in Scotland, Muir's family emigrated to America in 1849. Always keenly interested in nature, it wasn't until Muir was in his 40s that his life's passion was embraced on a national level.
Source: discoverwalks.com
Muir the writer
Writing for outdoor magazines Muir was able to successfully communicate his love for the high country of the American West. The Sierra Nevada, Yosemite and other pristine wilderness areas provided inspiration and subject matter. Writing for periodicals such as Overland Monthly, Scribner's, Harper's Magazine and The Century made him famous.
He wrote with the passion of a Sunday preacher, an apt description given Muir's belief that the wilderness was a conduit to communicating with God. Much of America agreed with Muir, or at least yearned to experience the wild as he described it. In spreading the gospel of nature as divine, Muir became the leading authority on land that was wild and unspoiled. He wrote 300 articles and 12 major books recounting his wilderness travels and experiences. When other naturalists and politicians came calling, Muir was only too happy to share the good news with them.
Muir's activism
That other giant of the naturalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson, visited Muir at his cabin in Yosemite. Muir was also friendly with noted Yosemite photographer Carleton Watkins, scientists Joseph LeConte and Henry Fairfield Osborn, U.S. Forest Service Chief and naturalist Gifford Pinchot, railroad executive E.H. Harriman, and many other luminaries of the day.
As he approached later life, Muir made a conscious decision to go from living in the wild and writing about it to actively advocating for its preservation. Bonnie Gisel, curator of the Sierra Club's LeConte Memorial Lodge and the author of several books on Muir, declared, "The question was now how to protect it. By leaving, he was accepting his new responsibility. He had been a guide for individuals. Now he would be a guide for humanity."
Source: discoverwalks.com
In 1889 The Century magazine editor, Robert Underwood Johnson, camped with Muir in the Yosemite. Johnson agreed to publish any articles Muir wrote on the negative impact of livestock on high mountain meadows.
Platforming on two articles that Muir wrote for The Century, the two men campaigned the U.S. Congress to turn Yosemite into a national park. The following year, 1890, Congress did just that, passing a bill officially creating Yosemite National Park. Buoyed with the Yosemite success, Muir also had a hand in securing Sequoia, Mount Rainier, Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon national parks. As a result, Muir has justifiably been called the "Father of Our National Park System."
President Roosevelt
One famous story illustrates the influence that Muir wielded. In 1901 he published Our National Parks, which garnered the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1903 Roosevelt accompanied Muir to Yosemite. During the trip the President and Muir were able to lose their Secret Service detachment and slip away for three days of wilderness camping.
They camped at Glacier Point where the pair talked of conservation and America's natural resources. Muir revealed how the state was mismanaging and exploiting the valley's resources. Their time together made a lasting impact on both men.
Roosevelt later said, "Lying out at night under those giant Sequoias was like lying in a temple built by no hand of man, a temple grander than any human architect could by any possibility build." It was this experience with Muir that compelled Roosevelt to return federal protection and management of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove as part of Yosemite National Park.
Source: sherpaexpeditions.com
Muir's Legacy
In 1892 Muir co-founded the Sierra Club, one of the world's first large-scale environmental preservation organizations. The club set lofty goals from the start. It immediately helped establish Glacier and Mount Rainier national parks. The club secured the preservation of California's coastal redwoods, and convinced the California legislature to let the federal government manage Yosemite Valley.
While the Sierra Club's stance on hunting is rather weak, the impact the club has had on environmental issues cannot be understated. The club continued to grow in influence and membership after Muir's death, and has helped establish a number of additional National Parks. Muir's philosophy of a nature as a conduit to the divine reshaped the way Americans viewed the natural world. His philosophy is still as viable and relevant today as it ever was. Muir's work in helping to establish the country's National Parks makes him one of America's most influential figures. His writings and activism helped shape America.
If the places that are named after someone are any indication of a person's far-reaching influence then Muir's impact is certainly monumental. The John Muir Trail, the Muir Woods National Monument and Mount Muir were all named in his honor. Other places include Muir Beach, Muir Grove, Muir Glacier, Camp Muir, John Muir College, Muir Inlet, Muir Point, a number of schools, highways and even medical institutions.
Enos Mills, a contemporary of Muir's who established Rocky Mountain National Park, opined that Muir's writings made him the most influential force of the century. John Muir's ability to describe and exalt nature continues to inspire millions of people.
How to Get Into Winter Darkhouse Spearing for Northern Pike
Spearing pike through the ice is an old sport, offering a unique experience that may just hook you permanently.
Jaden Plath/Fear the Spear! Facebook Group
Winter ice fishing has a related cousin: darkhouse spearing. But where ice fishermen use small rods and reels, tip-ups and tip-downs, and fish with hook and line generally through small 8-10 inch holes, darkhouse spearers use long-handled, multi-point spears and fish decoys to lure fish under large rectangular holes in the ice, where they plunge their tridents into the backs of unsuspecting northern pike and sturgeon.
Occasionally other species are also taken, but that is dependent upon state laws. It's a fascinating and fun sport. Where it is allowed, spearing is passionately enjoyed by many anglers as a legitimate alternative to conventional ice fishing.
Since sturgeon spearing on Wisconsin's Lake Winnebago is a unique event pretty much unto itself, we'll disregard that for this article. Instead we'll concentrate on darkhouse spearing for northern pike. Darkhouse spearing is legal primarily in the upper Midwest and northeastern United States. You'll have to check your state's regulations and laws to learn the spearing whens, wheres and hows of what's legal in your area.
Source: kenmarend.com
You may need a spearing license and you'll need a few pieces of specialized equipment. Here's what you need to get started:
1. First, you'll need a spear. This is a barbed, multi-tined affair - usually five to seven tines - around five or six feet in length. It's a heavy piece of equipment. You'll need a good length of rope or cordage to tie to the end of it, while securing the other end of the line to something solid in your darkhouse (you could also tie it around your leg). Spears generally cost anywhere between $50 and $200 dollars.
2. Next you'll need a fish decoy to attract the pike to your spot. Decoys can be as simple or as artful and elaborate as you care to make them. Pike will come to most anything shiny, even soda cans or lengths of PVC pipe. But ideally, you'll want a decoy that imitates a fish. A good decoy will be made to move seductively (to a pike) through the water by virtue of its body shape and/or fins. It is tied to a sturdy line that you will periodically pull up and release, sending the decoy "swimming" through the water.
Decoy carving is an art form, and there are many carvers that take great pride in their creations. Who knows, you might decide that decoy carving or collecting is as much fun as spearing.
3. You'll need something to make a large rectangular hole. Spearing holes are usually made by drilling four smaller holes - one in each corner of the rectangle - with an ice auger and then either chiseling or sawing the ice to connect the corners. You can purchase specialized ice saws. Rather than sawing, some spearers simply drill more holes to connect the corner holes.
Source: Badger Sportsman
