My First Pflueger

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Pecheur
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My First Pflueger

Post by Pecheur »

Hi there,

This is the short story of how I got my first Pflueger fishing lure.

Some people collect postal stamps, motorbikes or airplanes…
I collect fishing lures. And sometimes in the world of lure collecting, a random act of kindness happens. I promise not to laugh anymore when I see a bumper sticker about it.

One day out of the blue I received a message from Damian (whom I had never met), a member of the FFF forum offering me my first Pflueger lure. On one condition: that I would keep it, and not resell it. To which I replied that this was actually part of my problem: I don’t sell any of my lures, I keep them all and room is starting to be scarce… So you guessed it, I said “Yes Please!” (Thank you Damian).

The lure is a Heavy Duty Mustang Minnow made in Akron, Ohio, U.S.A, circa 1939 by Pflueger. A company that started to make fishing lures in the late 1800s. Later on Pflueger was taken over by Shakespeare and made a lot of different fishing reels. From bait caster to spinning with some fly-fishing reel thrown in the mix.

Anyway back to the lure… this 5 inch long lure was designed for saltwater use and it features metal plates on the back and belly, like a bulletproof vest. The colour of the lure is #9540 also known as Sunfish Scale Finish and is in very good condition. It’s a real beauty.

And here it is:

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Yes it came in the box.

Just teasing, ready or not, here it really comes:

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Open box.

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My first Pflueger.

Yes the eyes are pressed in the wooden body.

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Armor plate on the belly.

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From above.

With a view of the armour plate on the top of the lure.

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Catalogue in the box.

Yes it even came with the Pflueger catalogue:

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Front of the catalogue.

On the front you can see that the colour of this lure was made after the printing of the catalogue, so they had to get it on top.

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Back of the catalogue.

How nice is that?
The whole shebang is there: box, lure and catalogue. All in very good condition considering the age of this lure.
And you can't appreciate it, but I can tell you that even the smell of it, when you open the box, is very pleasant. I was telling it to one of my work colleague when I was showing her the lure, and she said: "Ho my god, it reminds me of my grandpa!"...

Yes I do feel a bit privileged to now have this lure as part of what I affectionately call my little collection.
After doing a bit of research on this beautiful timber fishing lure I stood there contemplating it, when it hit me: This lure is older than my dad!

Thanks again Damian, and I hope that some of you will enjoy seeing it.

Have a good day,
Pecheur


Trier
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by Trier »

Hi Pecheur. Hmmmm, I'm sure I've seen this article somewhere else in the last couple of days...... :D Didnt copy it out of the NT News perhaps?? :lol: :lol:

Amazing to think that someone a lifetime ago decided to keep the box and catalogue - maybe we should be keeping all our plastic packets and BCF brochures so that in 70 years time.......
Somehow I don't think they will have quite the same charm as this lure and packaging!

Nice one Damian.
Cheers,

Ash
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If it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer and hit it harder!

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Matt Flynn
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by Matt Flynn »

It looks like a collector's item.

Will we look back at the lures of today in 70 years time and think the same thing?

Or will Australia be all marine park, and lures illegal?
Pecheur
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by Pecheur »

Hi there,
Matt Flynn wrote:It looks like a collector's item.

Will we look back at the lures of today in 70 years time and think the same thing?

Or will Australia be all marine park, and lures illegal?
Some of today's lures will be collectors in 70 years, but not all of them...
Time to choose wisely...
:wink:
I think that with the production run that some lures have todays, it kills a bit the collector thing.
On the other hand some of the lures made by the cottage industry, will be of great interest in even less than 70 year.
Trier wrote: I'm sure I've seen this article somewhere else in the last couple of days......
Amazing to think that someone a lifetime ago decided to keep the box and catalogue
Yes but you have more photos and details in here...
:wink:
And yes to think that someone kept it in such condition for so long is what I find the most amazing about it.
I can tell you that this one will stay at the office, in the air cond .

Have a good day,
Pecheur
jeffish
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by jeffish »

Hi Pecheur
How lucky are you,,yes a thing of beauty,enjoy

cheers
Jeff
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by Blinky »

A truly beautiful lure Pech.
Anything timber will be or is a collectors item.
Blinky

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sarrge
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by sarrge »

Drool.......
I used to have a handle on life.......then it broke.
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by ken_dog »

Interesting that the catalogue says "patented" and what aspect that refers to...
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by SteveB »

What a great little lure Pech, thanks for sharing it with us.
The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing. ~Babylonian Proverb


Scholars have long known that fishing eventually turns men into philosophers. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to buy decent tackle on a philosopher's salary. ~Patrick F. McManus
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Damian B
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by Damian B »

Hi Pech I am glad you like it mate
Cheers
Pecheur
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by Pecheur »

Hi Damian,

You bet that I like it!
Thanks again.

Have a good day,
Pecheur
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Re: My First Pflueger

Post by dirtyruiz »

Great read mate, looks like an example of don't make them like they used to. Boys at the tackle shop told me a while back not to leave my lures in the sun after one of my classics blew up like a puffer fish. Interesting I thought, something that is designed to be used outside but make sure you keep it out of the sun...Not to mention that all the paint falls off after 5/6 fishing trips and the barra straighen all the hooks...
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