The next gathering for antique tackle collectors will be held at Heddon Museum August 13 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Here is a sampling of lures purchased by Doug Bucha and Ric Ladonski at the 2013 Niles, Mich. Riverfest. The Michigan collectors have an antique tackle booth at the Riverfest where they display their valuables and offer appraisals - and will purchase - vintage tackle that visitors take to them.
The meeting will be held at the former Heddon factory at 414 West St. in Dowagiac, Mich. The Museum is located two blocks north and two blocks west of the Mc Donald's.
The informal meeting of antique fishing lure collectors is mostly a show-and-tell with some selling, trading, and buying of old tackle taking place.
Its open to anyone interested in old antique fishing tackle or who has old gear that he or she would like to be appraised.
By Louie Stout
Antique Heddon Muskie Flap Tail in strawberry finish.
Looking for some extra cash? Dig around in the garage or attic for old fishing tackle.
If you have some oldies in good shape, take them to the Niles Riverfest Aug. 2-4 and have Rick Ladonski and Doug Bucha appraise them. You wont be pressured to sell, but at least youll get an idea what theyre worth.
As they have for 22 years, the two antique tackle collectors will be exhibiting some of their prized items at the Riverfest. Ladonski specializes in rods and reels while Bucha is a lure guy with a deep interest in lures produced in Michiana.
The next gathering for antique tackle collectors will be held at Heddon Museum June 11 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will be held at the former Heddon factory at 414 West St. in Dowagiac, Mich. The Museum is located two blocks north and two blocks west of the Mc Donald's.
The informal meeting of antique fishing lure collectors is mostly a show-and-tell with some selling, trading, and buying of old tackle taking place.
Its open to anyone interested in old antique fishing tackle or who has old gear that he or she would like to be appraised.
By Doug Bucha
In the last article, I discussed Heddons introduction into the fishing lure business in 1902 with the Perfect Casting Bait. This was a surface plug.
Just a few months into the 1903 fishing season, Heddon announced that it was going to enter the new underwater fishing lure craze that was sweeping the nation with the introduction of its own underwater minnow design.
The first attempt at making underwater minnows was not very successful.
The small white lure in the background of the photograph with the large front propeller represents this attempt. The large prop at the front of the lure caused the line to twist.
The next gathering for antique tackle collectors will be held at Heddon Museum May 14 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will be held at the former Heddon factory at 414 West St. in Dowagiac, Mich. The Museum is located two blocks north and two blocks west of the Mc Donald's.
The informal meeting of antique fishing lure collectors is mostly a show-and-tell with some selling, trading, and buying of old tackle taking place.
Its open to anyone interested in old antique fishing tackle or who has old gear that he or she would like to be appraised.