By Doug Bucha

Michiana Museums offer antique tackle displays.If you like looking at antique fishing tackle, donít overlook Michiana museums.

The photograph with this story shows a display of local fishing related items that can be found at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend. The museum also features many fine Studebaker automobiles and is one of the finest auto museums in the country.

In addition, The Center for History is located just next door. It houses all the records from the South Bend Bait and Tackle Company from the early 1900ís thru the 1970ís. These records are available for private viewing for research purposes. Make an appointment first.

There are three museums just across the state line in Michigan which will be of great interest to the collector. The city of Niles offers the Fort St. Joseph Museum that has has a small collection of local fishing items, including the Harris Frog.

The city of Dowagiac not only has the Heddon Museum but it also has a new museum downtown. This little known museum features one of the finest displays of Heddon items that can be found anywhere. This was the former collection found at Southwestern Michigan College.