I remember the first time he took me out in a boat. I was maybe five years old or so.
We went to Carters Lake. Now, I had been all around Carters Lake, but I had never been in the MIDDLE of it! This was exciting!
We rowed out in a small boat (it was a LONG time ago) and he tossed out a small-but-effective homemade anchor...a rope wrapped around a big rock.
Then, my dad started to get his fishing gear assembled and ready to go. Well, actually, he'd always set MY equipment up first. Somehow, that day, I forget that he always fixed mine up first.. Maybe I didn't really forget. I was more...confused.
Why?
I saw him reach into his make-shift tackle box and pull out the most beautiful fishing lure I had ever seen. At that moment...I was "hooked".
I sure did wish that was MY lure. I just knew if it was on my pole, I'd certainly have a great day of fishing and many stories to tell. And, a five year old needs some BIG fishing stories to compete with his dad.
After the rig was all setup, and without even blinking or showing any emotion, my dad said, "Here," and handed me the pole. With the lure. That I liked. And wanted.
"Maybe he just wants me to hold it for him," I thought.
Nope. He didn't have that kind of look.
I studied his face carefully for a clue. Then he smiled. "It's yours."
"Stunned" and "overwhelemed with joy" (even for a five your old) was all I could feel.
So, I "got to work". It was magical. The fishing lure, I mean.
Within 5 minutes, I had caught the biggest fish I had ever seen in my life. And, I knew why. It was that magical lure.
Well, fast forward a few years. Actually...a LOT of years.
I still have that old fishing lure. It's safely tucked away in my collection.
I'm not going to part with it. Ever. Not while I'm alive, anyway.
But, after I got hooked on fishing lures, and started collecting them, as I grew up, so did the intensity of my passion for collecting lures. Of course, the older I got, the more valuable those fishing lures back from my younger days became.
And, I got wiser. I started focusing on real valuable vintage lures...that were antiques just like I am now.
So, I've learned that since I probably don't have too many years left to collect and trade lures, I'd start selling some of my own collection, and buying other people's antique fishing lures...especially when I see that they are undervalued.
I've built this site so that you can participate with me in buying and selling antique fishing lures. Look around, enjoy yourself, and I encourage you to "jump on anything" that you know is valuable and make it become part of your collection.
I've seen SO MANY LURES recently that are underpriced and a great value. People just really don't know what they have. But, I'm sure you do. And, I'm sure you know what you like.
Have fun "fishing for lures"!
-Les
