The Allure of Lures: Collecting Fishing Tackle

A birch bark fishing creel, possibly Montagnais/ NaskapiSummer’s all about fishing, although I have to confess that I’m a wretched fisherperson.  Within about thirty minutes, my brother would usually be grumbling something like, “If you’re going to throw rocks, at least go downstream!”  Still, a well-stocked, well-organized tackle box is a thing of beauty – at least until I start stirring around in it!

Of course, fishing wasn’t always about glittery rubber worms or shiny metal discs, and it’s easy to identify collectibles by searching the database.  You’ll find lures to mimic all sorts of small aquatic life, from minnows to frogs.  I’m fond of the “Fly Rod Runtie,” partly because of the name and partly because he looks about as panic-strickened as you’d expect bait to look!  (He only has a slight edge over the “Luny Frog.”)  We’ve also got all sorts of antique reels, from modest ones to hot collectibles like this Morgan James reel that sold for over $9,000!  Folk art collectors love the hand-carved fishing decoys that mimic everything from trout to turtles, as well as the beautifully crafted creels, like the Native American birch bark example pictured here.  And, at the end of the day, if you’ve still not had a nibble, you can always haul home a taxidermy mount like this 44″ pike to claim as your own!